CONDITION

Alopecia areata

Patchy hair loss with an autoimmune component.

Assessed by an EU-licensed doctor
Oral, topical or compounded treatment
Full refund if not approved

What is it?

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks hair follicles, causing hair loss in well-defined patches. It can affect the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes and other body areas.

The course of the disease is unpredictable: hair may regrow spontaneously or new patches may appear over time. The doctor assesses each case to determine the most appropriate approach.

Treatments a doctor considers

Ongoing treatment plan

For ongoing treatment and doctor-reviewed renewals.

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One-off consultation

One consultation, one doctor, one decision.

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Licensed EU doctors

Every case read by a registered doctor.

Reply in under 2 hours

On average, in writing, no video call.

Pay only if approved

Not approved? Refunded in full, automatically.

Rated excellent on Trustpilot

4.8 from 540+ independent reviews.

Valid across the EU

E-prescription accepted at EU pharmacies.

FAQs

About alopecia areata

Hair growth4 questions

Does Hi-Doctor treat Alopecia areata directly?

Alopecia areata falls within hair growth, but it isn't always the primary indication of our treatments. The doctor reviews your case and tells you clearly whether Alopecia areata fits our current scope or whether you should be referred on.

What can Hi-Doctor offer me if I have Alopecia areata?

An individualised medical review within hair growth, no algorithms. If your case is eligible, we propose a treatment plan with clinical evidence and EU authorisation. If it isn't, the doctor tells you and the consultation is refunded.

What if my case needs an in-person specialist?

The doctor tells you during the consultation and points you to the most appropriate route. Hi-Doctor does not issue prescriptions outside the scenarios we can review safely via telemedicine.

Can I consult for Alopecia areata from Spain?

Yes. Hi-Doctor runs 100% online across the EU, so from Spain you can fill in the questionnaire and receive the medical review without travelling. The electronic prescription issued by the licensed doctor is valid at any EU pharmacy under Directive 2011/24/EU; in Spain it is dispensed directly from the prescription QR.

Keep the hair you've got

Answer a few simple questions and a doctor reviews your case in under 2 hours on average.

Explore Hair growthNo charge unless a doctor approves your treatment.

All content on this page has been medically reviewed by: Dr. Alejandro Infante, General medicine, on 27 July 2026. Registration: 080869277 View profile

Pay nothing if a doctor doesn't approve your treatment. Every consultation is fully refundable. How refunds work

All content on this page has been medically reviewed by: Dr. Alejandro Infante, General medicine, on 27 July 2026. Registration: 080869277 View profile

Pay nothing if a doctor doesn't approve your treatment. Every consultation is fully refundable. How refunds work

More about your care

Read the full condition information

Alopecia areata is autoimmune, so it isn't always a candidate for the same treatments as genetic hair loss. A doctor reviews your case and guides you.

HOW COMMON IT IS

Affects approximately 2 % of the population at some point in life, according to the World Health Organization.

Organización Mundial de la Salud

CAUSES

Autoimmune response against hair follicles
Genetic predisposition
Trigger factors such as stress or infections
Association with other autoimmune diseases (thyroiditis, vitiligo)

TREATMENT APPROACHES

Topical or intralesional corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
Topical immunomodulators
Clinical observation in mild cases
Systemic therapies for extensive or resistant forms

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR

If you notice patches of hair loss without an apparent cause, the doctor assesses the extent of involvement and recommends the most suitable approach.

How does a doctor evaluate a hair-loss case in an online consultation?

Through the pattern of loss, how long it has been progressing, family history and current medication. In some cases we ask for scalp photos. The doctor proposes a tailored treatment plan and adjusts it to your tolerance.

What is the private electronic prescription and why is it valid across the EU?

The private electronic prescription (Receta Médica Privada Electrónica) is issued by a licensed doctor in Spain. It is a PDF carrying every field required by EU Directive 2011/24/EU (patient, prescriber with country of registration, active ingredient, dose), which makes it legally recognised across all 27 EU member states. In Spanish pharmacies it is dispensed from the QR; outside Spain, the pharmacist dispenses the locally marketed equivalent of the same active ingredient.