Skip to contentSkip to search
Head & Shoulders LogoHome page

Alopecia areata causes and differences vs dandruff

In extreme cases, dandruff can cause temporary hair loss. Make sure you’re not confusing alopecia areata with dandruff. Read our guide to find out more.

Alopecia areata can be a particularly distressing condition – it begins with clumps of hair falling out. It affects around two percent of the global population.

Let’s look at it a little more closely.

Head&Shoulders Classic Clean bottle lying in the water surface.

ALOPECIA AREATA: CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS

There are three recognized variations of alopecia areata, all with the same cause.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune skin disease. While it has its origins in a person’s genetic make-up, it is not really hereditary in the classic sense, nor is it contagious.

Scientists have also noted the possibility of other factors and triggers involved in the development of the condition.

It’s also worth noting that the two percent of the population mentioned above do not suffer from alopecia areata all the time. Rather, this figure refers to ‘lifetime risk’, which is the possibility that a given individual will suffer from the condition at some point.

So, what does it look like?

As we’ve said, alopecia areata is an autoimmune skin disease – but what does this mean?

Effectively, in the bodies of those suffering from alopecia areata, the immune system becomes confused. It begins to attack healthy hair follicles (which contain the roots of your hair). This causes hair to fall out in clumps, even in those who are otherwise healthy.

Other symptoms include nail problems such as:

  • tiny dents in the nail (pitting)

  • white spots or lines

  • rough texture and loss of shine

  • thinning and split nails

This hair loss is not always permanent; often, the hair will grow back in a few months. This is because your hair follicles do not die when your immune system attacks them.

Alopecia areata is broken down into three types according to severity:

  • Alopecia areata is the most common form, characterized by coin-sized patches on the scalp and body

  • Alopecia areata total is causes total hair loss on the scalp

  • Alopecia areata universalis causes total hair loss on the entire body, including the face and scalp

TREATING ALOPECIA AREATA

There is, unfortunately, no known cure for alopecia areata. However, since the follicles are still alive, it is possible to use medication to encourage re-growth of hair, such as prescription topical steroids.

The key to dealing with alopecia areata is talking to your doctor. They’ll be able to recommend a course of treatment tailored to the specifics of your condition, giving you the best chance of success.

Dandruff doesn’t typically involve hair loss. But occasionally high levels of inflammation and constant scratching can have the side effect of damaging your scalp enough that hair falls out and does not regrow quickly.

Is it possible to confuse dandruff with alopecia areata, the main feature of which is hair loss?

DANDRUFF AND ALOPECIA AREATA

Dandruff is caused by the Malassezia globosa fungus. This yeast-like fungus lives on all our scalps, and is usually harmless.

In some cases, however, one’s personal sensitivity to oleic acid – a by-product of Malassezia globosa’s life-cycle – can lead to dandruff symptoms:

  • itchiness

  • white flakes in the hair

  • red, irritated scalp

Alopecia areata, as mentioned, is an autoimmune disease. The immune systems of alopecia areata sufferers attacks their hair follicles, which house the roots of hair.

This leads to hair loss in patches on the scalp and elsewhere. In severe cases, the hair on the entire body can fall out.

All is not lost, however. Although the immune system attacks your hair follicles, it doesn’t necessarily kill them. This means that the hair can grow back.

Nails are often a tell-tale sign of alopecia areata, with sufferers experiencing pitting, dullness and thinning of their nails, among other symptoms.

ALOPECIA AREATA – WHAT IS IT?

TREATING DANDRUFF AND ALOPECIA AREATA

It’s fairly obvious, then, to tell the difference between dandruff and alopecia areata. If you’re still worried, you can use a dandruff shampoo for the recommended two weeks. Should you find that hair is still falling out, it’s time to speak to a doctor about the possibility of alopecia areata.

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for alopecia areata. On the bright side, because the follicles are still alive, it is possible to use medication to encourage re-growth of hair.

The key point here is that should you find yourself dealing with excessive hair loss, it is always recommended to speak to a doctor.