Miscommunication between NBA players brings awareness to alopecia, says Tampa dermatologist

Dr Seth Forman says four million Americans suffer from the disease which causes hair loss

Nov 2010

A miscommunication between NBA players Charlie Villanueva and Kevin Garnett is getting a lot of attention, but Dr. Seth Forman says it is also bringing awareness to a disease many Americans know nothing about.

Villanueva says Garnett referred to him as a cancer patient, but Villanueva says his lack of hair is because of alopecia universalis, a condition that causes hair loss.

“Alopecia universalis is the most severe form of alopecia areata,” say the Tampa dermatologist. “It is very difficult to treat and can be associated with more autoimmune conditions like thyroiditis or even lupus.”

Four million Americans suffer from alopecia. The immune system attacks the hair root and causes it to fall out. Dr. Forman says the condition usually with a small coin-sized patch of hair falling out, but in severe cases patients can lose all of their hair including eyelashes, eyebrows and facial hair.

“In most cases, the hair does grow back, but there is a chance it can fall out again” says the Tampa dermatologist. “However for patients who suffer from the severe form of the disease with massive hair loss, the chances of regrowth are much lower.”

Kevin Garnett has called the incident with Charlie Villanueva “a major miscommunication.” He told EPSN he did not refer to Villanueva as a cancer patient.

"My comment to Charlie Villanueva was in fact, 'You are cancerous to your team and our league,'" Garnett said. "I would never be insensitive to the brave struggle that cancer patients endure. I have lost loved ones to this deadly disease and have a family member currently undergoing treatment. I would never say anything that distasteful. The game of life is far bigger than the game of basketball."

For more on Dr. Seth Forman or his Tampa dermatology office, please visit www.formanderm.com.

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