Definition of Alopecia capitis totalis

Alopecia capitis totalis: Loss of all of the scalp hair. Alopecia means baldness and capitis refers to the head. Alopecia capitis totalis is thus total baldness of the scalp with normal hair elsewhere on the body.

Aside from alopecia capitis totalis, other forms of alopecia include:

• Alopecia universalis: Loss of all of the hair, not only on the scalp, but also on the entire body.
• Alopecia areata: Patchy areas of baldness.
• Hair loss as a result of chemotherapy, the resultant hair loss usually being temporary.
• Hair loss as a result of radiation therapy administered to the head, the hair loss usually being permanent, due to irreversible damage to the hair follicles.
• Bald pate: Common male-pattern baldness localized to the front and top of the head, due to genetic (hereditary) factors.