We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Alopecia Barbae?

Laura M. Sands
By
Updated: Feb 23, 2024
Views: 12,373
Share

Alopecia barbae is a subtype of alopecia areata, which is an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. Different types of alopecia areata are identified according to which part of the body the condition appears to affect. Specifically, alopecia barbae is when beard hair loss is experienced.

This type of spot baldness is not a symptom of any other disease or disorder. As an autoimmune disease, it occurs because the immune system has mistaken hair growing in the beard as an invading organism and has decided to attack the hair follicles in order to protect the body from this misidentified intruder. Alopecia barbae is not contagious and is not a painful condition. In some cases, hair will eventually begin to grow in the area where it was lost with or without treatment.

As one of the most common causes of hair loss, most cases of alopecia areata involve spot baldness in the scalp. Anyone can develop alopecia areata at any age, but the alopecia barbae subtype is most often found in adult men. Other subtypes of this condition may affect other parts of the body, however, such as the hairline outlining the scalp and the pubic areas.

Scientists who study hair loss are not sure why alopecia barbae affects some men and not others. There are some who believe it is stress-related, while others shun this idea entirely. There is also research to suggest that some men may have a genetic predisposition to developing alopecia barbae or that environmental toxins, allergens, hormonal changes, as well as a fungal or viral infection may also contribute to the onset of beard hair loss in adult men.

When alopecia does occur, the onset of spot baldness is usually sudden and unexpected. It is not usually accompanied by pain, scarring or any other physical symptoms beyond beard hair loss, although some do report feeling a slight itching sensation or spotting redness in the area when the condition initially develops. Like other autoimmune diseases, inflammation beneath the surface of hair follicles does occur, but it is rarely ever visible on top of the skin.

After alopecia barbae has resulted in facial hair loss, what remains is a small patch of bare, smooth skin. In some men, these patches are temporary and, as inflammation beneath the skin’s surface subsides, the hair missing from the beard begins a process of regrowth. In some men, alopecia barbae is recurring. In men who experience this as a recurring condition, areas of hair loss may become larger each time the condition occurs.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Laura M. Sands
By Laura M. Sands
Laura Sands, the founder of a publishing company, brings her passion for writing and her expertise in digital publishing to her work. With a background in social sciences and extensive online work experience, she crafts compelling copy and content across various platforms. Her ability to understand and connect with target audiences makes her a skilled contributor to any content creation team.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Laura M. Sands
Laura M. Sands
Laura Sands, the founder of a publishing company, brings her passion for writing and her expertise in digital publishing...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-alopecia-barbae.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.