Can you catch alopecia?

In this video we find out if you can catch alopecia from someone.

This video covers:

We dispel the myth that you can catch alopecia from other people
The awareness of alopecia amongst children especially - it's not like chicken pox

Video project funded for by the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) 2015.

Latest

We're all the same inside
Matt Warder

Trustee
Anne Maton

Senior Fundraising Manager
The Medical Dismissal Study

Invitation to take part in a research study from King's College London on dismissal by healthcare services. Help improve services for long-term conditions like alopecia.

It's Only Hair

Natalie shares her experience of her life with alopecia areata, in this powerful piece of spoken-word poetry.
Alopecia UK 2025 Flashmob

Our alopecia flashmob video filmed in Birmingham in 2025
I Am Cam, I Am

10-year-old Cameron and her family talk about life with alopecia
Men's Chat - A Short Film

Our short film ‘Men's Chat’ is an opportunity to hear men with alopecia areata talking about the highs, the lows, an onion (listen for more) and how they manage their hair loss.
Alopecia UK and Matt Lucas

A fantastic team of mini-Alopecia UK representatives did an amazing job for us when they interviewed the one and only Matt Lucas!
How to answer questions about alopecia

In this short animation film, young children share how they respond to questions about their alopecia.
‘Talking about alopecia’

New animation film; 'Talking about alopecia' featuring the voices of young people with alopecia.
Alopecia UK Short Documentary - 'Shedding'

A film in which three individuals talk about alopecia and the ways it has impacted on their lives
'Shedding' - An Alopecia Short Film

16/9/2018 - New Alopecia short documentary film 'Shedding' gets released for Alopecia Awareness Month.
Faye's First Day Video

The story describes Faye's first day at school. Faye has alopecia and is a bit nervous about how her fellow classmates will react to her difference in appearance. Faye has patchy hair loss.

Common Treatments for Alopecia Areata

Information about common treatments for Alopecia Areata
Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes sudden, patchy hair loss on the scalp, beard, eyebrows, eyelashes, or other parts of the body. It affects people of all ages and backgrounds and can vary in severity from small round patches to complete hair loss across the scalp and body.
Alopecia and Covid-19 (New Coronavirus)

A statement from Alopecia UK regarding COVID-19 and vaccines.
Pattern Hair Loss

Pattern hair loss is the most common type of hair loss. It occurs in both men and women and becomes more common with increasing age. Around 50% of men over 50 and 50% of women over 65 are affected, though it can also start in younger adults and occasionally in early teen years.
Lichen Planopilaris (LPP)

Lichen planopilaris (LPP) is a type of scarring alopecia that primarily affects the scalp, most commonly in middle-aged women, although it also occurs in men, young adults, and, rarely, in children.
Can I dye my hair when I have alopecia?
Telogen Effluvium

In telogen effluvium (TE), more hairs than usual enter the resting phase, leading to increased shedding. Instead of losing up to 100 hairs daily, some people may lose up to 300 hairs a day, resulting in noticeable thinning of hair volume.
Why does hair sometimes grow back white after alopecia areata?
A Guide to Wigs

Links to our downloaded PDF wig guide, and information on the NHS England wig report.
Responding to the events from the 2022 Oscars

We respond to the events from the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony and the actions of Will Smith