What Are the Different Types of Alopecia Areata?
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What Are the Different Types of Alopecia Areata?

What Are the Different Types of Alopecia Areata?
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Updated on July 25, 2025
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Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks hair follicles, affecting new hair growth.

 Most cases of alopecia areata impact the scalp and face, but some types involve hair loss on other parts of the body.

Doctors classify each subtype according to the severity, onset, and extent of hair loss. The main types of alopecia areata are:

  • Patchy alopecia areata
  • Alopecia totalis
  • Alopecia universalis

The different types of alopecia areata have different potential signs and symptoms to look for.

Patchy Alopecia Areata

Patchy alopecia areata involves patches of hair loss on the scalp; it occasionally happens on other areas of the body, too. This is the most common type of alopecia areata, and it tends to cause hair to fall out in coin-size patches.

 “Alopecia areata represents a spectrum of disease,” says Brittany Craiglow, MD, who practices at Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut and is an associate adjunct professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. “Most people have mild, patchy disease with one or a few spots of hair loss, which are often round.”
The hair loss that comes with patchy alopecia areata is sudden, though some people report symptoms of tingling, burning, or itching before the affected hairs fall out. There are usually no rashes or scars at the site of hair loss.

The progression of patchy alopecia areata varies, and the affected hairs may grow back. Sometimes, hair regrowth will occur within a few months, though new hairs may be gray or white at first. In other cases, patchy alopecia areata may progress to more severe types that lead to more widespread hair loss in other parts of the body. In more severe disease, it’s possible to experience alopecia areata that affects both the hair on your scalp as well as your body hair.

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What Is the Difference Between Alopecia Areata and Androgenetic Alopecia?

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Alopecia Totalis

Alopecia totalis involves more widespread scalp hair loss than patchy forms of the condition, causing complete loss of hair on the scalp.

 At first, you may see a few small patches of hair loss that multiply and eventually join together and form larger patches.

 Alopecia totalis is considered rare. Fewer than 10 percent of those with alopecia areata will go on to develop alopecia totalis. It affects an estimated 0.03 percent of the global population.

Alopecia Universalis

Alopecia universalis is a rare condition characterized by the complete loss of hair on the scalp and body, including the eyebrows, eyelashes, and even nasal hair.

Fewer than 200,000 people in the United States have this disease.

Other Types and Symptoms of Alopecia Areata

While the primary forms of alopecia areata are patchy alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis, there are other important types to know, including diffuse and ophiasis forms. Also, alopecia areata can cause changes to the nails in some people. Here’s a breakdown of other symptoms of these less-common subtypes.

Diffuse Alopecia Areata

Diffuse alopecia areata is an unusual form that occurs suddenly and involves widespread scalp hair thinning. Doctors may also misdiagnose this condition as other forms of hair loss.

“Diffuse alopecia areata presents itself as sudden thinning of the hair all over the scalp and is often confused with androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern hair loss) or telogen effluvium (temporary hair loss due to a trigger like stress, hormonal changes, or medication),” says Michele Green, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist in New York City.

“Hair loss can be reversible with early detection and treatment, although some forms of hair loss are irreversible,” she says. It’s important to see a dermatologist for an accurate alopecia areata diagnosis and to discuss your treatment options. Treatment may also help prevent further hair loss. If you need treatment for regrowth, the earlier you start treatment, the more likely you are to see regrowth.

Ophiasis Alopecia

Like diffuse alopecia, ophiasis alopecia affects the scalp; the hair loss occurs in a band along the sides and back of the head.

Nail Changes in Alopecia Areata

While not an official subtype, alopecia areata may also cause nail problems in both the fingernails and toenails in some people. Alopecia areata of the nails sometimes occurs years before or after hair loss due to the condition.

Alopecia areata can also affect your nails without causing hair loss. In most cases, the conditions develop simultaneously, especially in severe forms of alopecia areata that affect children.

Nail changes may affect 10 to 20 percent of people with alopecia areata, and may cause the following symptoms.


  • Tiny dents in the nails
  • Extremely brittle nails, which may split
  • Red-colored nails
  • Texture changes that are rough and may feel like sandpaper

The Takeaway

  • Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes mild to severe hair loss, which may have a gradual or sudden onset in the affected areas.
  • Depending on the type you have, alopecia areata can cause either patchy or widespread hair loss on the scalp, as well as bald patches on other parts of the body.
  • In addition to hair loss, alopecia areata can cause changes in your nails.
  • It’s important to see a dermatologist as soon as possible for an accurate diagnosis and to discuss timely treatment options to prevent the disease from progressing.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Ludmann P. Hair Loss Types: Alopecia Areata Causes. American Academy of Dermatology. August 30, 2023.
  2. Alopecia Areata. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. August 2024.
  3. Abbott J et al. Alopecia Totalis. StatPearls. February 26, 2024.
  4. Alopecia Universalis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options. Indiana University School of Medicine. May 8, 2025.
  5. Alopecia universalis congenita. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. May 2025.
  6. Hughes EC et al. Telogen Effluvium. StatPearls. May 1, 2024.
  7. Alopecia Areata Types. National Alopecia Areata Foundation.
  8. Pelzer C et al. Alopecia Areata of the Nails: Diagnosis and Management. Journal of Clinical Medicine. January 3, 2024.
  9. Ludmann P. Hair Loss Types: Alopecia Areata Signs And Symptoms. American Academy of Dermatology. August 30, 2023.
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