Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

International Women with Alopecia Month – July 2024

International Women with Alopecia Month is observed in July every year. It aims to raise awareness about women living with alopecia, one of the most common types of hair loss. It is caused by an autoimmune disruption wherein the body attacks its own hair follicles. There are several types of alopecia, but the most common ones are alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia. International Women with Alopecia Month was started by Bald Girls Do Lunch (B.G.D.L.), an organization dedicated to raising awareness about alopecia. B.G.D.L. offers women with alopecia a community of supportive women.

History of International Women with Alopecia Month

Alopecia, caused by an autoimmune disruption, is the most common type of hair loss. The most common types of alopecia are alopecia areata (spot baldness) and androgenetic alopecia (female pattern hair loss), and the condition has no cure. Possible risk factors include psychological stress and illness, and the cause of alopecia seems to be a breach in the immune privilege of hair follicles. This means that the body fails to recognize its own cells and subsequently destroys hair follicles.

The term ‘alopecia’ was first used in Ancient Greece, from the word ‘alopex,’ which meant fox. The first-ever mention of alopecia area was in the 1664 book “Medicina Practica,” written by the Polish John Jonston. ‘Alopecia areata’ was first used by French physician Sauvages de Lacroix in his 1763 book “Nosologia Methodica.” The first-ever clinical description of alopecia areata comes from “A Practical Synopsis Of Cutaneous Disease” in 1817. Thomas Bateman, the author, described the condition as “bald patches, mainly circular with hair regrowth that is softer and lighter in color than before.” He named it ‘porrigo decalvans,’ meaning “depilating scalp disease.”

It took many years for humans to understand the cause of alopecia areata. Among the existing theories, 19th-century beliefs attributed the condition to a parasite while questions about it being ‘neurotropic’ abounded. Recent studies have pinpointed an autoimmune error.

International Women with Alopecia Month timeline

1664
“Medicina Practica”

John Jonston mentions alopecia area in his book.

1763
Nomenclature

The term ‘alopecia areata’ is first used.

1817
The Clinical Definition

Alopecia is given a clinical definition.

2010
Genome-based Studies

Studies find the genes that may lead to the development of alopecia.

International Women with Alopecia Month FAQs

Does alopecia worsen with age?

Alopecia can affect people of all ages, but most cases appear before the age of 40.

What is the ribbon color for alopecia?

Blue is the ribbon color for alopecia.

What type of alopecia is temporary?

Telogen effluvium is a type of temporary hair loss.

How to Observe International Women with Alopecia Month

  1. Learn about alopecia

    Help out the cause by reading up on alopecia. You gain from educating yourself and from being more aware of how others are affected by alopecia.

  2. Talk about your story

    If you live with alopecia, share your story this month. It may help others who are also living with alopecia — or maybe even people living with other similar diseases.

  3. Talk about it on social media

    Even if you don’t live with alopecia, help spread awareness by talking about it on social media. It can be of great help to the cause and help others.

5 Fascinating Facts About Hair

  1. Keratin

    Hair is mostly made up of keratin.

  2. A fast-growing tissue

    Hair is the second fastest-growing tissue in our body.

  3. Dead cells

    All visible hair contains dead cells.

  4. Black

    Black is the most common hair color.

  5. Red

    Red is the rarest natural hair color.

Why International Women with Alopecia Month is Important

  1. It draws attention to the health condition

    Alopecia is not widely talked about. International Women with Alopecia Month brings attention to the community.

  2. It helps regulate misinformation

    By making resources available to people, International Women with Alopecia Month helps reduce the taboo related to alopecia. Being well-informed is a benefit for everyone.

  3. It is an opportunity to learn more

    People with alopecia are often cast aside in society. International Women with Alopecia Month invites people to learn more about others and be more inclusive.

International Women with Alopecia Month dates

YearDateDay
2024July 1Monday
2025July 1Tuesday
2026July 1Wednesday
2027July 1Thursday
2028July 1Saturday
Clean Beaches Week
Great British Pea Week
National Childhood Obesity Week
National Culture Consciousness Week
National Transplant Week
American Zoo Day
American Zoo Day
Bank Employee Day (Guatemala)
Burundi Independence Day
Canada Day
Caribbean Community Day
CPC Founding Day
Doctor's Day (India)
Dog House Repair Month
Early Bird Day
Ghana Republic Day
Heroes' Day of Zambia
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day
International Chicken Wing Day
International Joke Day
International Reggae Day
Keti Koti
Keti Koti
Ketikoti
Madeira Day
Mother's Day South Sudan
National Baby-Led Weaning Day
National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day
National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day
National Financial Freedom Day
National Gingersnap Day
National Gingersnap Day
National Postal Workers Day
National Postal Workers Day
National Television Heritage Day
National U.S. Postage Stamp Day
Second Second Half of the Year Day
Singapore Armed Forces Day
Sir Seretse Khama Day
Smart Irrigation Month
Territory Day
The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul
Virgin Islands Day
National Wrong Trousers Day
Wrong Trousers Day
ZIP Code Day
ZIP Code Day
Bank Account Bonus Month
Beans Month
Bereaved Parents Awareness Month
Bioterrorism / Disaster Education and Awareness Month
Cord Blood Awareness Month
Cord Blood Awareness Month
Corn Month
Eggplant Month
Family Golf Month
Family Golf Month
National Family Reunion Month
National Family Reunion Month
Fragile X Awareness Month
French-American Heritage Month
Global Enterprise Agility Month
Good Care Month
Hemochromatosis Screening And Awareness Month
Herbal / Prescription Interaction Awareness Month
Hitchhiking Month
Independent Retailer Month
International Blondie and Deborah Harry Month
International Group B Strep Awareness Month
International Group B Strep Awareness Month
International Women with Alopecia Month
International Zine Month
International Zine Month
Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month
Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month
Lasagna Awareness Month
National Anti-Boredom Month
National Anti-Boredom Month
National Baked Beans Month
National Baked Bean Month
National Bison Month
National Blueberry Month
National Blueberry Month
National Cell Phone Courtesy Month
National Cell Phone Courtesy Month
National Child-Centered Divorce Month
National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month
NATIONAL CONTRACT SEWING MONTH
National Culinary Arts Month
National Culinary Arts Month
National Grilling Month
National Grilling Month
NATIONAL HEMP MONTH
National Horseradish Month
National Hot Dog Month
National Hot Dog Month
National Ice Cream Month
National Lost Pet Prevention Month
National Make A Difference to Children Month
National Make A Difference to Children Month
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
National Pet Hydration Awareness Month
National Picnic Month
National Picnic Month
National Watermelon Month
National Watermelon Month
Nutrition Month Philippines
Sarcoma Awareness Month
Social Wellness Month
Social Wellness Month
Talk to Us
UV Safety Month
Wild About Wildlife Month
World Watercolor Month
World Watercolor Month

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.