It is estimated that there are approximately 2.5 million men, women and children in the U.S. with some degree of alopecia areata. It is a fairly common condition which in most cases is temporary.

There are three basic types of alopecia areata. The most common is patchy alopecia areata appearing as small, smooth circular areas of hair loss. The others are alopecia totalis (complete loss of scalp hair), and alopecia universalis (complete loss of all body hair).

Although the cause is not yet clearly known, researchers feel alopecia areata is an auto immune condition.

Chemotherapy consists of the administering of drugs that destroy rapidly reproducing cancer cells. Cancer cells are some of the most rapidly reproducing cells in the body, but other cells, such as those which contribute to the formation of hair shafts and nails, are also rapidly reproducing. Unfortunately, while chemotherapy drugs preferentially destroy cancer cells, the drugs also can destroy those cells responsible for normal growth of hair and nails. Cancer patients sometimes shed the hair and nails during treatment. Chemotherapy drugs are poisonous to the cells of the hair root responsible for hair shaft formation. Usually, the hair is lost rapidly in large quantities during treatment. No hair growth stimulants, shampoos, conditioners or other cosmetic treatments can prevent or retard the hair loss.

The Good News, however, is that once chemotherapy is completed, the hair usually grows back.