Bengaluru: Most people did not know about a condition called alopecia areta till an altercation between presenter comedian Chris Rock and Hollywood superstar Will Smith broke out on the stage of the Oscar award.

Most of the people who very rarely follow Hollywood came to know that Will Smith’s wife Pinkett Smith suffers from alopecia areta which leads to hair loss. Although she reveal her medical condition in 2018 during the American talk show ‘Red Table Talk’ at that time, it did not make headlines in such a way, as recently it made. 

Presenter Chris Rock during the Oscar award ceremony made a joke about the health condition of Pinkett Smith which did not go down well with Smith and he marched to the stage and slapped him. Rock compared Pinkett Smith's shaved head to Demi Moore's appearance in "GI Jane," adding he couldn't wait to see her in "GI Jane 2," to which she rolled her eyes.

After Pinkett Smith’s condition went viral people searched Google to know what exactly it is?

Alopecia areata is a condition that causes patchy hair loss. "The disorder develops after the immune system attacks the hair follicles, resulting in hair loss that is difficult to detect." According to a dermatologist, these spots connect and become visible.

Not only does abrupt hair fall occur on the scalp, but it can also occur in other places of the body. "It can happen unexpectedly in any part of your body, such as your scalp, beard, moustache, underarms, and so on," the doctor explained. It may also develop slowly and reoccur occasionally or again after years of inactivity.

What is the reason?
According to a dermatologist, in this illness, your own cells attack the hair and cause it to shed, resulting in visible areas of hair loss. It is more common in those who have a family history of auto-immune diseases such as diabetes and thyroid disease.
*Hereditary or genetic factors
*Psychological pressure and anxiety
*Aging
*Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause
*Chronic illnesses or auto-immune diseases
*Loss of essential nutrients and improper diet
*Hereditary or genetic factors
* Environmental factors like pollution, dust, etc.
* Hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which affects women of reproductive age