Overview
Hair loss is referred to as alopecia. Patchy hair loss on the scalp is called alopecia areata. Complete scalp hair loss is alopecia totalis. Loss of all body hair is called alopecia universalis.
Review Date 6/19/2021
Updated by: Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, AZ. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.