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Alopecia - Definition, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Author: Juliet Cohen
Article:
Alopecia simply means hair loss (baldness). Alopecia areata is a
form of hair loss from areas of the body, usually from the
scalp. Alopecia areata affects both males and females. Alopecia
areata does not make you feel pain and does not make you feel
sick. In 1-2% of cases, the condition can spread to the entire
scalp (Alopecia totalis) or to the entire epidermis (Alopecia
universalis). Some people may lose more hair. Rarely, the
disease causes total loss of hair on the head or complete loss
of hair on the head, face, and body. Alopecia areata usually
starts with one or more small, round, smooth bald patches on the
scalp and can progress to total scalp hair loss (alopecia
totalis) or complete body hair loss (alopecia universalis).
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. Normally the immune
system protects the body against infection and disease. In an
autoimmune disease, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks
some part of your own body. In alopecia areata, the immune
system attacks the hair follicles. On rare occasions, the person
loses all of the hair on his or her head (alopecia areata
totalis) or entire body (alopecia areata universalis). Alopecia
is the medical term for baldness; there are various types of
alopecia, including alopecia areata.
Alopecia areata tends to occur most often in children and young
adults. However, it can also affect older individuals. Alopecia
can certainly be the cause of psychological stress. There are
several different hypotheses as to what causes alopecia areata.
Genetic factors seem to play an important role since there is a
higher frequency of a family. Trichotillomania is the name of a
mental disorder that causes a person to pull out his/her own
hair. Alopecia areata often occurs in families whose members
have had asthma, hay fever, atopic eczema, or other autoimmune
diseases such as thyroid disease, early-onset diabetes,
rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, vitiligo, pernicious
anemia, or Addison's disease. Systemic diseases often affect
hair growth either selectively or by altering the skin of the
scalp. Hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) causes hair to
become thin and fine. Hypothyroidism (too little thyroid
hormone) thickens both hair and skin. Androgenetic alopecia in
men has been associated with several other medical conditions
including coronary heart disease and enlargement of the
prostate, a walnut-sized gland in males that is located below
the bladder. In women, androgenetic alopecia is associated with
an increased risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is
characterized by a hormonal imbalance that can lead to irregular
menstruation, acne, excess body hair (hirsutism), and weight
gain.
There are several available treatments for Alopecia. Two
relatively new drugs--minoxidil (Rogaine) and finasteride
(Proscar)--promote hair growth in a significant minority of
patents. UVB is generally used to treat skin conditions but is
also used for people with severe hair loss.Steroid injections
are commonly used in sites where there are small areas of hair
loss on the head or especially where eyebrow hair has been lost.
Anti-inflammatory drugs that are prescribed for autoimmune
diseases. Corticosteroids can be given as an injection into the
scalp or other areas, orally (as a pill), or applied topically
(rubbed into the skin) as an ointment, cream, or foam. Hair
transplantation is completed by taking tiny plugs of skin, each
containing one to several hairs, from the back side of the
scalp. Another surgical procedure used to treat androgenic
alopecia is scalp reduction. Cortisone pills are sometimes given
for extensive scalp hair loss. Cortisone taken internally is
much stronger than local injections of cortisone into the skin.
It is necessary to discuss possible side effects of cortisone
pills with your physician. , there are various cosmetic and
protective techniques that people with alopecia areata can try.
Include is Using makeup to hide or minimize hair loss. Wearing
sunglasses to protect the eyes from the sun and the environment.
Wearing coverings (wigs, hats, or scarves) to protect the head
from the elements.
About the author:
Juliet Cohen writes articles for
health care clinic
and home remedies.
She also writes articles on beauty tips.
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