Overview
Genetic alopecia refers to hair loss conditions that are caused by changes (variants) in specific genes. The most well-known form is androgenetic alopecia, also called hereditary hair loss, male-pattern baldness, or female-pattern hair loss. This condition causes the hair follicles — the tiny structures in your skin that grow hair — to gradually shrink over time. As follicles shrink, they produce thinner, shorter hairs, and eventually may stop producing hair altogether. In men, this typically starts with a receding hairline or thinning at the top of the head. In women, it usually causes a general thinning across the top of the scalp while the hairline stays mostly intact. Genetic alopecia can also refer to rarer inherited forms of hair loss, such as alopecia universalis or hypotrichosis, where hair loss may be present from birth or early childhood and can affect the entire body. These rarer forms are caused by mutations in specific genes that control how hair follicles develop and function. While genetic alopecia is not life-threatening, it can have a significant emotional and psychological impact. People may feel self-conscious, anxious, or depressed about their appearance. Treatment options range from medications like minoxidil and finasteride to hair transplant surgery, depending on the type and severity of hair loss. Rarer genetic forms may have fewer treatment options available.
Key symptoms:
Gradual thinning of hair on the scalpReceding hairline, often starting at the temples in menThinning at the crown or top of the headWidening part line in womenComplete loss of hair on the scalp in severe casesLoss of eyebrows or eyelashes (in some rarer forms)Loss of body hair (in some rarer forms)Hair that breaks easily or feels thinner than beforeSmaller, finer hairs replacing normal thick hairsAbsence of hair from birth or early infancy (in some rare genetic forms)
Variable
Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
1 eventUniversity Hospital Schleswig-Holstein
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Genetic alopecia.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Genetic alopecia at this time.
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Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Genetic alopecia.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Genetic alopecia
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Determinants of Chronic Inflammatory Skin Disease Trajectories
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Genetic alopecia
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Which specific type of genetic alopecia do I have, and what gene or genes are involved?,Should other members of my family be tested or evaluated for this condition?,What treatment options are available for my specific type of hair loss, and how effective are they?,How quickly is my hair loss likely to progress, and what can I do to slow it down?,Are there any clinical trials or new treatments I should know about?,Can you refer me to a counselor or support group to help with the emotional side of hair loss?,Are there any other health conditions I should watch for that might be linked to my type of genetic alopecia?
Common questions about Genetic alopecia
What is Genetic alopecia?
Genetic alopecia refers to hair loss conditions that are caused by changes (variants) in specific genes. The most well-known form is androgenetic alopecia, also called hereditary hair loss, male-pattern baldness, or female-pattern hair loss. This condition causes the hair follicles — the tiny structures in your skin that grow hair — to gradually shrink over time. As follicles shrink, they produce thinner, shorter hairs, and eventually may stop producing hair altogether. In men, this typically starts with a receding hairline or thinning at the top of the head. In women, it usually causes a gene
Which specialists treat Genetic alopecia?
23 specialists and care centers treating Genetic alopecia are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.