How does alopecia areata disrupt homeostasis? Alopecia Areata: Disruption of Homeostasis

Alopecia Areata: Disruption of Homeostasis

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that affects the hair follicles, resulting in the loss of hair from the scalp and other areas of the body. This condition can be caused by a number of factors, including genetics, stress, and environmental triggers. Not only does alopecia areata disrupt the physical appearance of an individual, but it also disrupts homeostasis or the state of equilibrium in an organism. The disruption of homeostasis begins with the immune system. Normally, the immune system is able to distinguish between foreign and self-antigens, however, in individuals with alopecia areata, the immune system incorrectly identifies the hair follicles as foreign and attacks them (Hoesl et al., 2019). This causes inflammation of the hair follicles and results in hair loss. The disruption of the immune system can also lead to other issues, such as an increased risk of infection, and can further disrupt homeostasis. In addition to the disruption of the immune system, alopecia areata can also cause. Cont…