Learn about the symptoms of alopecia and how you can cope
Alopecia is a condition that causes hair loss. We break down how to spot its symptoms and where to go for help in the UK.
Reviewed by: Mital Thakrar, Clinical Pharmacist
Published: September 2025
Next review: September 2028
Alopecia means hair loss, but it’s usually used to refer to alopecia areata. While lots of things can cause hair loss, alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition where your body mistakenly attacks healthy cells, causing your hair to thin or fall out.1
Alopecia is quite common, affecting about 0.15% of people in the UK.2 It’s a chronic condition, meaning it lasts for a long time.
The main symptom of alopecia is hair loss. But not everyone will experience hair loss from alopecia in the same way.
Alopecia can cause hair loss anywhere on your body, but it most often affects the scalp, beard, eyelashes and eyebrows.3
Most people with alopecia lose patches of hair. It is rare for people with alopecia to lose all of their scalp or body hair.3
About 10–15% of people with alopecia also experience nail changes, like pitting or ridging on the nails.3
Alopecia is caused by your immune system attacking healthy hair follicles, stopping them from growing.4 It’s not clear exactly why this happens, but there are a few factors.
There is a genetic component to alopecia, so you’re more likely to get it if someone in your family also has alopecia. Stressful events can also cause your first episode of alopecia or worsen the condition.4
Some people with alopecia find that their symptoms stop without intervention. Up to 80% of people with a few patches of hair loss find their symptoms are resolved after a year.5
This isn’t the same for everyone. Even if your hair loss goes away, it can come back. There are some things that make your alopecia more likely to be severe.
Some of these things include:
- Alopecia that starts in childhood
- A family history of alopecia
- Having another autoimmune condition
- Nail changes.5
Alopecia cannot be cured, but the hair loss it causes can be treated for some people. Corticosteroids are a form of steroids that are sometimes used to help manage hair loss caused by alopecia. They work by targeting inflammation around the hair follicles and are applied as a cream or with small needles.6
Corticosteroid tablets are also sometimes taken to reduce inflammation across the body and allow hair to regrow. There are a range of other treatments if corticosteroids don’t work for you, such as contact immunotherapy, minoxidil and immunosuppressants.6
All treatments have advantages and disadvantages, including side effects. Some treatments may not be suitable for everyone. Talk to your GP about what treatment options are suitable for you.
If you don’t want medical treatment for your hair loss, there are other options available which can help:
- Wigs and different kinds of head coverings can help boost your confidence.
- If you’ve lost your eyebrows, makeup can help you recreate them.
Losing your hair can be upsetting and difficult to come to terms with. If you’re struggling with the effects of hair loss and want to talk to a professional, you may find counselling helpful. There are also support groups available for alopecia. Talk to your GP as they may be able to refer you to local support services in your area.
Information, support and resources for people with alopecia.
Information about alopecia if you live in Scotland.
Information about alopecia, including symptoms, living with alopecia and treatments to manage alopecia.
- Branch NSC and O. Alopecia Areata. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Published April 4, 2017. Accessed April 19, 2023. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/alopecia-areata
- Alopecia areata | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE. Accessed April 19, 2023. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/alopecia-areata/
- Definition | Background information | Alopecia areata | CKS | NICE. Accessed April 19, 2023. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/alopecia-areata/background-information/definition/
- Causes | Background information | Alopecia areata | CKS | NICE. Accessed April 19, 2023. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/alopecia-areata/background-information/causes/
- Prognosis | Background information | Alopecia areata | CKS | NICE. Accessed April 19, 2023. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/alopecia-areata/background-information/prognosis/
- Treatments for Alopecia Areata. Alopecia UK. Published July 22, 2020. Accessed April 19, 2023. https://www.alopecia.org.uk/Pages/FAQs/Category/treatments-for-alopecia-areata