===Causes===
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Alopecia areata is considered to be an auto-immune condition in which the immune system of the body (which protects the body from bacteria, viruses, allergens, etc.) mistakenly attacks the hair follicles and destroys them. This leads to hair loss in the affected area. This abnormal behavior of the immune system is understood to be guided, influenced and triggered by multiple factors.
Some other common causative factors that can contribute to the development of alopecia areata have been mentioned below:
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One or more of the following factors may be found responsible in cases of alopecia areata: