By What Is Alopecia Areata?
- Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes hair to fall out in small, random patches. The hair loss usually affects the scalp, but it can also occur in other areas of the body.
- The exact cause of alopecia areata isn’t known. However, it most often occurs in people who have a family history of other autoimmune disorders, such as type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Although there’s no cure for alopecia areata, treatment can help the hair grow back more quickly and may prevent future hair loss.
Alopecia areata is a disease that causes hair to fall out in small patches. It develops when the immune system attacks the hair follicles, resulting in hair loss. Sudden hair loss may occur on the scalp and other parts of the body. The condition rarely results in total hair loss, or alopecia universalis, but it can prevent 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 varies from person-to-person.
There’s currently no cure for alopecia areata. However, there are treatments that may help hair grow back more quickly and that can prevent future hair loss. There are also resources available to help people cope with the disease.
Related Article: Alopecia – Youthful hair loss problem
What Are the Symptoms of Alopecia Areata?
The main symptom of alopecia areata is hair loss. Hair usually falls out in small round patches on the scalp. These patches are usually several centimeters or less. Hair loss might also occur on other parts of the body. You may first notice clumps of hair on your pillow or in the shower. However, other types of diseases can also cause hair to fall out in a similar pattern. Hair loss alone shouldn’t be used to diagnose alopecia areata symptoms.
In rare cases, some people may experience more extensive hair loss. This is usually an indication of another type symptoms for alopecia areata, 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 hair loss associated with alopecia areata is unpredictable and random. The hair may grow back at any time and then may fall out again. The extent of hair loss and regrowth varies greatly from person-to-person.
What Causes of Alopecia Areata?
Alopecia areata causes is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease develops when the immune system mistakes healthy cells for foreign substances. Normally, the immune system defends your body against foreign invaders, such as viruses and bacteria. If you have causes of alopecia areata, however, your immune system mistakenly attacks your hair follicles. Hair follicles are the structures from which hairs grow. The follicles become smaller and stop producing hair, leading to hair loss.
Researchers don’t know what triggers the immune system to attack hair follicles, so the exact cause of this condition isn’t known. However, it most often occurs in people who have a family history of other autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis. This is why some scientists suspect that genetics may contribute to the development causes for alopecia areata. They also believe that certain factors in the environment are needed to trigger alopecia areata in people who are genetically predisposed to the disease.
How Is Alopecia Areata Diagnosed?
Your doctor will review your symptoms to determine if you have alopecia areata. They may be able to diagnose alopecia areata simply by looking at the extent of your hair loss and by examining a few hair samples under a microscope.
Your doctor may also perform a scalp biopsy to rule out other conditions that cause hair loss, including fungal infections, such as tinea capitis. During a scalp biopsy, your doctor will remove a small piece of skin on your scalp for analysis.
Blood tests might be done if other autoimmune conditions are suspected. The specific blood test performed depends on the particular disorder your doctor suspects. However, your doctor will likely test for the presence of one or more abnormal antibodies. If these autoantibodies are found in your blood, it usually means that you have an autoimmune disorder.
Other blood tests that can help rule out other conditions include the following:
- C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- iron levels
- antinuclear antibody test
- thyroid hormones
- free and total testosterone
- follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormone
What Treatment for Alopecia Areata?
There’s natural treatment for alopecia areata, but the condition can be treated. Alopecia areata treatment able to stop future hair loss or help the hair grow back more quickly.
Related Article: 10 Natural Treatments for Alopecia Areata
Natural Herbal Medical Treatment
You can rub certain medications such as minoxidil (Rogaine) into the scalp to help stimulate hair growth. Other herbal treatment for alopecia include steroid injections, Apolical or corticosteroid creams and ointments. In some cases, photo chemotherapy may be used to promote hair growth. Natural treatment of alopecia is a type of home remedies that uses a combination of oral medication.
Natural Herbal Remedies Therapies
Some people with alopecia areata choose herbal treatment of alopecia therapies to treat their condition. These may include:
- aromatherapy
- acupuncture
- herbal supplements
- vitamins
- apolical
There are also some steps in natural remedies of alopecia that may be taken to help minimize discomfort, including:
- applying sunscreen to protect exposed areas from sunburns
- wearing sunglasses to shield the eyes from sun and dust if the eyelashes have fallen out
- wearing a wig, hat, or scarf to protect the scalp
Some people must need herbal remedies of alopecia since their hair grows back on its own. In other cases, people have see improvement trying natural remedies for alopecia option. You might need to try more than one treatment to see a difference. Keep in mind that hair regrowth may only be temporary. It’s possible for the hair to grow back and then fall out again.
How to Cope with Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata can be emotionally challenging, especially when hair loss affects the whole scalp. People with the condition may feel isolated or become depressed. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, counselors or support groups may help you cope with the effects of the disease. Support groups can provide a safe environment for you to share your experience and express any stress or anxiety you may be feeling. The National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) has support groups that meet in various places across the United States. The NAAF also has conferences and online message boards to help people connect with others who have the disease.
If the hair loss is bothersome, you can try to cover up bald patches with a wig, hat, or stylish scarf. You may also apply a hair-colored powder or cream to the scalp to make the hair loss less obvious. Applying eyebrow pencil can help mask missing eyebrows.
Source Link : http://www.healthline.com/health/alopecia-areata#Overview1
