Alopecia areata is a disorder characterized by hair loss, from a specific part of the body, or from the whole body. This condition usually affects the scalp and therefore continues hair loss and finally makes one bald. In the initial days, patches of hair loss are seen on the scalp, but if the condition is not treated promptly, it can spread throughout the body, causing total hair loss! For most of the people, hair loss might turn to be a cause of stress and depression. In such cases, alopecia areata is a serious disorder and quick treatment must be rendered. Nonetheless, it is neither a life-threatening condition, nor does it affect the routine lifestyle of a person. Causes In recent times, there have been several researches and studies, discovering the causes of this condition. However, some conclusions in this aspects have been universally accepted as right! Alopecia areata is considered to be an autoimmune disorder. Therefore the most important cause behind it, is the immune system acting against our body. In alopecia areata, the immune system, weakens the hair follicles, finally uprooting the hair. Other probable causes, behind alopecia areata is genetics. In many cases, a family history of this disorder has been found. Is alopecia areata caused by stress? This question is asked by many people around the world. Well, frankly speaking, yes! One of the reasons for triggering alopecia areata could be stress! This is actually a cause as well as a symptom. Hair fall many a times becomes a psychological problem. This causes a person to feel depressed and stressed out. Both these conditions, increase the rate of hair loss considerably. Symptoms and Signs Bald patches on the scalp or other parts of the body are generally the early signs of alopecia areata. Speaking of the symptoms, there are no such serious symptoms seen. The most common symptom is hair loss! In some cases, complete baldness might occur. However, treatment measures can lead to itching, when hair regrowth is stimulated. Treatment As of now, there are no concrete treatments available to cure alopecia areata. This condition gets cured automatically, over a period of time. However, as the condition is largely associated with the immune system, some of the treatments used to suppress the immune system are popularly used. Steroid injections into the affected areas are another option, which stimulate hair growth, some weeks later. Some other widely used treatment measures are, anthralin and topical minoxidil. These treatments result in new hair growth in about 12 weeks. People who want to hide this problem can use hats, caps, wigs, until the hair is regrown. Alopecia areata is not a very serious condition. However, if it's going to affect your lifestyle, then you need to treat it promptly. Following a good diet and regular hair care are the preventive measures. Hope the above discussion, proved useful in providing sufficient information about, the causes, signs, symptoms and treatment measures of this condition. Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by an expert on the subject.