What is the Difference Between Alopecia Totalis and Universalis?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis are both autoimmune disorders that result in hair loss, but they differ in the extent of hair loss and the body areas affected. Here are the key differences between the two:
- Alopecia Totalis: This condition involves the complete loss of hair on the scalp. It may also affect eyebrows and eyelashes, but it does not cause thinning or shedding of any other body hair. In rare cases, alopecia totalis can cease on its own, but many people opt for treatment, which usually focuses on immunosuppressants to calm the immune system and prevent it from attacking the hair follicle.
- Alopecia Universalis: This is the most advanced and rare subtype of alopecia areata, affecting approximately 0.03% of the population. It results in the total loss of hair on the scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, and all other body hair. In addition to hair loss, people with alopecia universalis may also experience damage and distortion of their nails. The most effective treatment for alopecia universalis is topical immunotherapy, which creates an allergic reaction on the skin of affected areas to shock the hair follicles into regrowing hair.
In summary, the main difference between alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis lies in the extent of hair loss. Alopecia totalis involves complete hair loss on the scalp and may affect eyebrows and eyelashes, while alopecia universalis results in total hair loss across the entire body, including the scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, and other body hair.
Comparative Table: Alopecia Totalis vs Universalis
The major difference between Alopecia Totalis and Alopecia Universalis lies in the amount of hair loss and the areas of the body affected. Both conditions are autoimmune disorders and subtypes of Alopecia Areata. Here is a table comparing the two:
| Feature | Alopecia Totalis | Alopecia Universalis |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Total hair loss on the scalp | Total loss of hair on the body, including hair on the scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, and all other body hair |
| Subtype | Less advanced subtype of Alopecia Areata, affecting approximately 14-25% of people with AA | Most advanced subtype of Alopecia Areata, affecting approximately 0.03% of the population |
| Affected Areas | Scalp hair loss only | Hair loss on the scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, and all body hair |
| Prevalence | More common than Alopecia Universalis | Less common than Alopecia Totalis |
Both conditions have variable treatment effectiveness, and treatments may be long-term. The prognosis for recovery is generally worse for Alopecia Totalis and Alopecia Universalis compared to mild cases of Alopecia Areata, with fewer than 10% of patients recovering from these more severe subtypes.
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