Definition of alopecia
: loss of hair, wool, or feathers
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Recent Examples of alopecia from the Web
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Traction alopecia: Practices like rough, frequent brushing and wearing too-tight braids or buns can cause follicular degeneration syndrome, warns Shainhouse.
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Trevor Lucas slaps the hand of Samantha Maitz, 4, of Indianapolis, during an event for people with alopecia before the night's game against Manchester at Anderson University, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018.
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All of this heavy-handed styling puts the hairline at risk for traction alopecia.
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According to recent research, between 1 and 2 percent of the population will develop alopecia areata at some point in their lifetime.
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Namely, androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness.
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From the high school student whose artist mother painted her bald head for her senior photos to the bride who chose not to wear a wig on her wedding day, more and more women with alopecia are using social media to celebrate and embrace their beauty.
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Rhonda A: Cats are fastidious groomers, but excessive licking and the resulting alopecia is often a symptom of another problem that needs to be addressed.
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Maiya was diagnosed with alopecia totalis, an autoimmune disease with no cure.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'alopecia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
Doctors use "alopecia" to refer to various forms of hair loss, including "alopecia areata," a sudden loss of hair in patches that involves little or no inflammation. It may surprise you to learn that the word ultimately derives from "alōpēx," the Greek word for "fox," but the connection makes sense if you think of a fox who is afflicted with mange, a disease with symptoms that include, among other things, loss of hair. Middle English speakers borrowed the Latin word alopecia, which comes from "alōpekia," a Greek term that can be translated as "mange on foxes."
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about alopecia
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Nglish: Translation of alopecia for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about alopecia
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