| Alopecia totalis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A woman with alopecia totalis | |
| Specialty | Dermatology  |
Alopecia totalis is the loss of allhair on thehead andface. Its causes are unclear, but it is believed to be anautoimmune disorder. Research suggests there may be a genetic link: the presence of DRB1*0401 and DQB1*0301, both of which arehuman leukocyte antigens (HLA), have been found to be associated with long-standing alopecia totalis.[1]
Methotrexate andcorticosteroids are proposed treatments.[2]
Scalp cooling has specifically been used to prevent alopecia indocetaxel chemotherapy,[3] although it has been found prophylactic in other regimens as well.[4][5][6] Treatment effects may take time to resolve, with one study showing breast cancer survivors wearing wigs up to 2 years after chemotherapy.[7]