Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes hair to fall out in small, random spots. The hair loss usually impacts the scalp, however it can likewise happen in other areas of the body.
What is Alopecia Areata?
The exact reason for alopecia areata isn’t known. However, it frequently occurs in individuals who have a household history of other autoimmune disorders, such as type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.
Although there’s no remedy for alopecia location, treatment can assist the hair grow back quicker and might avoid future loss of hair.
Alopecia areata is a disease that causes hair to fall out in small patches. It develops when the body immune system attacks the hair follicles, resulting in loss of hair. Unexpected loss of hair might occur on the scalp and other parts of the body. The condition rarely results in total hair loss, or alopecia universalis, but it can avoid hair from growing back. When hair does grow back, it’s possible for the hair to fall out again. The extent of hair loss and regrowth differs from person-to-person.
There’s presently no cure for alopecia location. However, there are treatments that might assist hair grow back more quickly which can prevent future loss of hair. There are likewise resources readily available to assist individuals cope with the disease.
What are the Symptoms of Alopecia Areata?
The main symptom of alopecia location is loss of hair. Hair normally falls out in small round spots on the scalp. These spots are typically several centimeters or less. Hair loss may likewise happen on other parts of the body. You might first notice clumps of hair on your pillow or in the shower. Nevertheless, other kinds of diseases can likewise cause hair to fall out in a similar pattern. Hair loss alone shouldn’t be used to identify alopecia location.
In rare cases, some people may experience more substantial loss of hair. This is normally an indicator of another type of alopecia, such as:
- alopecia totalis, which is the loss of all hair on the scalp
- alopecia universalis, which is the loss of all hair on the entire body.
The loss of hair related to alopecia areata is unpredictable and random. The hair may grow back at any time and then might fall out once again. The level of loss of hair and regrowth differs considerably from person-to-person.
What Causes Alopecia Areata?
Experts aren’t sure what causes the body’s immune system to assault hair follicles, therefore the actual origin of this disorder is unknown. Yet, it commonly develops in people with a family history of other autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis. This is why some experts believe genetics may have a role in the progression of alopecia location. They also believe that particular environmental conditions are required to trigger alopecia areata in persons who are genetically predisposed to the disorder.
Researchers are unsure of the exact source of this condition since they do not know what triggers the body’s immune system to attack hair follicles. In spite of this, it usually affects persons who have a family history of another autoimmune disease, such as type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis. This is why some specialists feel that alopecia may be passed on via families. They also believe that those who are genetically predisposed to alopecia areata require a mix of certain environmental factors for the disorder to appear.
How is Alopecia Areata Diagnosed?
Your doctor will analyze your symptoms to see if you have alopecia areata. The severity of your hair loss and a few hair samples examined under a microscope may be all that is required to diagnose alopecia areata.
A scalp biopsy may be performed to rule out other disorders that cause hair loss, such as fungal infections like tinea capitis. During a scalp biopsy, your doctor will take a small piece of skin from your scalp to be inspected.
Blood tests may be performed if further autoimmune illnesses are suspected. A different blood test may be performed depending on the exact condition your doctor detects. Still, your doctor will most likely do testing to discover whether any odd antibodies are present. If these autoantibodies are present in your blood, you most certainly have an autoimmune condition.
Other blood tests that can assist rule out other conditions consist of the following:
- C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- iron levels
- antinuclear antibody test
- thyroid hormonal agents
- free and total testosterone
- roots stimulating and luteinizing hormonal agent.
How is Alopecia Areata Treated?
Although alopecia areata can be treated, there is no known cure. Treatment may be able to prevent future hair loss or expedite hair regrowth.
Medical Treatment
Some medications, such as minoxidil (Rogaine), can be applied to the scalp to promote hair growth. Other typical treatments include steroid injections or creams and ointments containing corticosteroids. Photochemotherapy is occasionally used to promote hair growth. Photochemotherapy is a type of radiation treatment that mixes oral medication with UV light.
Alternative Therapies
Some individuals with alopecia areata choose alternative therapies to treat their condition. These might consist of:
- aromatherapy
- organic supplements
- vitamins.
A lot of alternative treatments have not been tested in medical trials, so their efficiency in treating loss of hair isn’t understood.
There are also some actions that might be required to help decrease pain, consisting of:
- using sun block to safeguard exposed areas from sunburns
- using sunglasses to protect the eyes from sun and dust if the eyelashes have actually fallen out
- using hat or headscarf to safeguard the scalp.
The success of each therapy will differ from person to person. Some people may not require treatment since their hair regrows on its own. Nonetheless, in rare cases, despite exhausting all therapeutic options, patients may not improve. You may need to try more than one treatment to notice results. Keep in mind that hair growth may only be temporary. Hair may fall out, grow back, and then fall out again.
How to Prevent Hair Loss or Alopecia Areata?
Depending on why the patient is losing their hair in the first place, hair loss can be prevented. For instance, a patient who is experiencing hair loss due to chemotherapy must wait until the course of treatment is over before anticipating hair growth.
Although there are preventive treatments for other types of hair loss, there is nothing that can be done to avoid hair loss while undergoing this medication.
- If the patient is losing hair due to excessive styling and usage of styling equipment and items, the only way to stop from losing more hair is to provide hair a rest. Stop utilizing hot irons, blow clothes dryers, hair items, and hair colors and chemicals on the hair to give it time to recover and to rest the scalp from the continuous abuse it is getting.
- Prevent loss of hair from fungal infections by treating these issues as soon as one notices them.
