Alopecia Areata

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this search was to review the literature on the subject of alopecia areata. METHODS This literary review utilized the library databases of Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature and PubMed as well as the medical research platform Ovid, exploring topics associated with the subject matter of alopecia areata examining issues associated with the autoimmune disorder including diagnosis, treatment, and the patient experience. This investigation examines the diagnosis and progression of the autoimmune disease including relevant and recent literature reflecting research outcomes from the specialties of dermatology, psychology, genetics, and nursing. RESULTS In summary, the outcome of the literature exploration reflects research from the specialties of dermatology, psychology, and medicine, revealing numerous difficulties patients diagnosed with alopecia areata experience. CONCLUSION The nursing profession pursues research to promote best practice and improve patient outcomes; however, nursing research falls short on the topic of alopecia areata. This autoimmune disorder causes a significant psychological impact on people living with the disease; therefore, individuals diagnosed with the condition experience the unique phenomenon of living without hair. The literature review indicates the need for further investigation of the essence of living with the daily reality of cyclic patterns of hair loss and the resulting health-illness transition from one stable state of health to another state of health.