Alopecia areata is not medically disabling; persons with alopecia areata are usually in excellent health. But emotionally, this disease can be challenging, especially for those with extensive hair loss.
Disease at a Glance
An extremely rare genetic syndromic intellectual disability described in less than 20 families to date and characterized by total or partial alopecia associated with intellectual deficit.
While the disease is not medically serious, it can impact people psychologically. Support groups are available to help people with alopecia areata deal with the psychological effects of the condition. Further information may be found at the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (www.naaf.org).
Though the symptoms of alopecia areata typically do not cause physical pain, many people with the condition say that it causes emotional, or psychological, pain. This type of pain is as serious (and can feel the same) as physical pain and can lead to feelings of sadness, depression and anxiety.
The Veteran's disability is currently-rated at 20 percent under DC 7830 for scarring alopecia. This is the maximum schedular rating under this code and is assigned when a veteran has scarring alopecia affecting more than 40 percent of the scalp. The medical record supports the 20 percent rating.
A 20 percent rating is warranted if the disorder affects more than 40 percent of the scalp. Under Diagnostic Code 7831, for alopecia areata, a noncompensable rating is assigned with loss of hair limited to the scalp and face. A 10 percent rating is warranted with loss of all body hair.
Alopecia has few physically harmful effects, but may lead to psychological consequences, including high levels of anxiety and depression.
Studies show that people with alopecia areata can have other autoimmune diseases, such as thyroid disease. However, the fact that you have alopecia areata doesn't mean you will automatically develop another autoimmune disease.
Alopecia areata (AA), an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss, including baldness, has been linked to a significantly increased risk for dementia, new research shows.
Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is associated with significant cardiovascular risk factors that also have a negative impact on brain aging.
Causes of Alopecia Areata
In alopecia areata, the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, causing inflammation. Researchers do not fully understand what causes the immune attack on hair follicles, but they believe that both genetic and environmental (non-genetic) factors play a role.
Alopecia areata can occur at any age but about half of cases come on in childhood and 80% of cases come on before the age of 40 years. Men and women are equally affected. The condition tends to be milder if it comes on at an older age.
Alopecia areata is not life-threatening and does not cause physical pain. However, the psychosocial effects of hair loss can be devastating. In addition, patients may experience symptoms related to hair loss, such as increased eye or nasal irritation after loss of eyelash or nasal hair.
The short answer is yes, stress can cause hair loss, or contribute to it. There are three types of hair loss that can be triggered (or made worse) by stress - telogen effluvium, alopecia areata and trichotillomania. Stress-related hair loss is often temporary, so it's unlikely your hair will be lost forever.
Compared with the general population, increased prevalence rates of psychiatric disorders are associated with alopecia (Koo et al., 1994) suggesting that people with alopecia may be at higher risk for development of a major depressive episode, anxiety disorder, social phobia or paranoid disorder.
Answer: Alopecia areata and fatigue and cold intolerance
Suppression of adrenal gland function can lead to both fatigue and cold intolerance for example.
Because hair loss and regrowth from alopecia areata is unpredictable and sometimes cyclical (comes back again and again), having the condition can be frustrating and emotionally challenging for many people.
What Is the Most Approved Disability? Arthritis and other musculoskeletal system disabilities make up the most commonly approved conditions for social security disability benefits. This is because arthritis is so common. In the United States, over 58 million people suffer from arthritis.
You may be eligible for VA disability benefits or compensation if you meet both of these requirements. Both of these must be true: You have a current illness or injury (known as a condition) that affects your mind or body, and. You served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training.
With the 100 percent combined disability rating, you do not have any restrictions on work activity. If you meet the 100 percent rating for your service-connected condition, and you are still able to work, then you may do so.
Concert Pharmaceuticals. (2022). Concert Pharmaceuticals reports positive topline results for second CTP‑543 phase 3 clinical trial in alopecia areata [Press release].
Finasteride and minoxidil are the main treatments for male pattern baldness. Minoxidil can also be used to treat female pattern baldness.
Please note that generally, Medicare does not cover treatment for hair loss (also called alopecia) unless the treatment is medically necessary to treat a disease that has caused the baldness. Hair loss can result from many causes.