2. Alopecia areata
Next on our list of serious diseases that cause severe hair loss is alopecia areata. This autoimmune disease happens when the immune system attacks hair follicles, stopping your hair growth cycle.
The exact trigger for this immune response is still unknown, although genetics, environmental factors, and stress may all play a role.
Alopecia areata typically starts as a sudden onset of small, round patches of hair loss without scarring or redness. While this condition often appears on the scalp, it can also occur in other parts of the body, including eyelashes and eyebrows.
The diagnosis is often made through a medical examination (usually by a dermatologist) and may involve the use of a skin surface microscope.
