Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that can lead to unpredictable hair loss. Scientists believe the cause is genetic, as it tends to run in families. Alopecia Areata is a type of non-scarring alopecia that effects males and females equally and occurs in both children and adults. There is currently no cure for alopecia areata, although there are some forms of treatment that can be suggested by doctors to help hair re-grow more quickly. Some have compared alopecia areata to vitiligo, an autoimmune skin disease in which the body attacks melanin-producing cells, leading to white patches. Research suggests that these two conditions may share a similar pathogenesis, with similar types of immune cells and cytokines driving the diseases and common genetic risk factors.

According to Unani Dau’salab , Daul’Hayya meaning the disease of Fox and Snake for those reasons of resemblances of these two animals which often suffers from this condition. According to IBN-E-SINA, a legendary Unani Physician, the disease can occur in any part of body but scalp, face and eyebrows are the commonest sites.

According to UNANI: -   The disease is commonly characterized by the accumulation of morbid  humours. It has been considered to be caused by infection either directly or as a consequence  of remote ‘focus of infection’. Viral infection is the most common cause of infection especially  Cytomegalovirus, Epstein Barr virus, Swine flu virus etc. The antigen of  these viruses is present   in blood for a long time thus causing Fasad-e-Dam. These antigens have their antibodies  circulating in blood, sometimes they cause exaggerated immune response in body, thus   Alopecia Areata is considered mainly autoimmune disease.