The symptoms are loss of hair in patches in the head, in the beard and other hair follicles in the body. In most cases, this condition only affects the hair follicles in the head, but in a few rare cases, the condition spreads to all parts of the body, thereby, rendering the patient hairless. Discolouration and fragility in fingernails and toenails are also present in a few cases. Nails also tend to become brittle and break easily.