Alopecia areata is a condition that causes a person's hair to fall out. It is an autoimmune disease; that is, the person's immune system attacks their own body. In this case, their hair follicles. When this happens, the person's hair begins to fall out, often in clumps the size and shape of a quarter. The extent of the hair loss varies; in some cases, it is only in a few spots. In others, the hair loss can be greater. Only a very small percentage of people will have total hair loss. Often alopecia areata is seen along with other autoimmune disorders, particularly autoimmune thyroiditis, lupus, Addison’s disease, vitiligo and diabetes.

Symptoms of Alopecia Areata in TCM
1. Liver and Kidney Deficiency Syndrome
Main Symptoms: Sudden loss of hair, in round or ovary form, loss of body hair as welt as head hair in severe conditions, accompanied by dizziness, vexation, tinnitus, poor sleep or insomnia, soreness and weakness of the lumbus and knee, dry mouth, slightly red tongue, scanty coating, wiry, thready and rapid pulse or slow and feeble pulse

2. Syndrome of Obstruction of Meridians and Collaterals due to Stagnation
Main Symptoms: Macular loss of hair, loss of body hair and head hair after long duration, no spontaneous symptoms, dark red tongue or purple tongue, with purple spots on the margin, wiry pulse or hesitant pulse.