Mrs Laderman "Freak Conditions" - Alopecia Universalise

Alopecia Areata: 'Questions and Answers About Alopecia Areata. National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disorders (NIAMS)'. January 2012; http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Alopecia_Areata/. Accessed: 6th April 2015.

An important element of my final character design for Mrs Laderman is that of her personal condition and what makes her suitable for the carnival environment. Due to the setting being that of the 1950's for American Horror Story common conditions were often deemed suitable for a 'freak' as opposed to a disability, because of this my characters condition of Alopecia Universalise makes her a perfect example of a 1950's carnival freak.

What is Alopecia Universalise?

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Alopecia universalis (AU) is a condition that is recognised by the complete loss of hair on the head and body, the condition is  an advanced form of alopecia areata, a condition that is where rounded patches of hair are lost form the scalp. The exact cause of Alopecia Universalis is not currently known although it is thought to be a result of an autoimmune condition whereby the carriers immune system attacks the hair follicles by accident. Roughly 20% of those affected people by the condition have had a family member suffer with a similar form of alopecia, therefore suggesting that it is a genetic condition. Currently there is no recognised treatment for Alopecia of this dramatic form however often hair regrowth may occur after a few years of recovery. 
Caused by a problem with the immune system whereby white blood cells attack the hair follicles that grow hair all over the body. These follicles affected then become dramatically small and unable to produce hair which eventually leads to the hair being lost. The condition affects roughly 2% of people from both genders and often begins in childhood although it can start later in life. Often onset from a dramatic change to the bodies immune system, this acts as a type of trigger often as result of environment or a virus. If the condition is common within a families DNA roughly 1 in 5 members will suffer from the condition. The effects of alopecia can be to sufferers very socially and emotionally disturbing. In alopecia universalis the additional loss of eyelashes and eyebrows can make the person more vulnerable to infections, dust, germs, and foreign particles entering the eyes, nose, and ears.