Alopecia
Alopecia is a term characterized by hair loss. It means partial or full loss of hair. Hair loss occurs gradually. It could be spotty or uniform. Every day, you shed approximately 100 hairs from your head. The scalp has approximately 100,000 hairs. Hair loss can be heartbreaking, producing despair and anxiety as well as low self-esteem and emotions of personal beauty. Alopecia affects both men and women. Alopecia can affect the entire body or only the hairline. It can be temporary or permanent.
Different Types of Alopecia:
Alopecia comes in a variety of forms. Some varieties can cause hair loss in a specific location. Other types can cause hair loss in a variety of regions, including your head, face, and body.
Alopecia Areata
It is a type of autoimmune disease. The body's immune system mistakenly kills healthy hair follicles in alopecia areata. Hair loss is caused by follicle damage.
Universal Alopecia
It is a condition that causes total hair loss. The scalp and the rest of the body are included.
Alopecia Ophiasis
It is a type of alopecia areata that impacts the scalp's sides and back.
Diffuse Alopecia Areata
It's also known as Telogen effluvium. It differs from alopecia areata in that your hair thins and subsequently comes out in dispersed regions throughout the scalp rather than in patches.
Alopecia Androgenic
It is a hereditary disorder. It affects both women and men.
Signs and Symptoms:
The following are some symptoms and signs of hair loss:
Gradual loss on the head's top
Circular or spotty bald areas
Before the hair falls out, your skin may become itchy or uncomfortable
Broken hair
Redness on the scalp
Causes:
Hormonal Imbalances
Excess sex hormones and hormonal problems are the most common causes of androgenetic alopecia. Androgens can weaken hair follicles in female-pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness, on the other hand, is associated with a rise in dihydrotestosterone, an androgen (DHT).
Several Medications
Alopecia is a typical adverse effect of various drugs used to treat common health issues. It is known as "drug-induced hair loss." Blood thinners, oral contraceptives, antidepressants, anti-inflammatory, and beta and calcium channel blockers can all cause hair thinning or baldness. Several chemotherapy medications are known to induce total hair loss.
Thyroid Issues
Thyroid hormones aid in the regulation of practically every bodily function, including hair growth. Alopecia can be caused by either an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) or an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
Autoimmune Conditions
Alopecia areata is one of the numerous autoimmune illnesses that can result in hair loss. Lupus and Hashimoto's thyroiditis are two more autoimmune diseases that can cause hair loss.
Stress
Alopecia can be prompted by a high level of stress, such as contracting an illness or undergoing surgery, both of which place strain on the body and mind.
Trichotillomania
Hair-pulling condition or trichotillomania may be related to significant stress or anxiety. This mental health problem is related to obsessive-compulsive disorder and other types of anxiety disorders. Other symptoms of trichotillomania include feelings of comfort or pleasure after pulling hair, as well as significant areas of hair loss.
Physical Injury
When your body is subjected to extreme physical stress, the regular cycle of hair growth and rest can be disturbed, leading to hair loss (Alopecia), most commonly in the form of thinning hair. Your hair may even fall out in clumps. Any systemic shock, such as a traumatic accident, surgery, burns, or acute disease, can affect the hair follicles.
Extreme Care
To get a fashionable hairstyle, you might cause substantial damage and breakage, which can lead to Alopecia. Shampooing or blow-drying too frequently, using heated styling products repeatedly or excessively touching the scalp can all cause hair loss. Hair loss may also be exacerbated by relaxers and hair colors.
Deficiencies in Nutrients
Deficiencies in vitamins and minerals can cause Alopecia and decreased hair development since they aid in the hair growth cycle and cellular turnover. Vitamin deficiencies that might cause hair loss include a lack of protein, biotin, zinc, and iron.
Treatments:
Micro-Needling Therapy
Micro-needling is a relatively new method of stimulating new hair growth. This procedure includes puncturing the scalp with tiny needles to stimulate collagen formation, which can lead to hair growth restoration.
Stress Relief
Managing your stress and surviving particularly stressful periods in your life might sometimes prevent hair loss caused by extreme pressures. Diffuse alopecia areata is one kind of alopecia that may respond to adequate stress management.
Corticosteroids
Prescription-strength corticosteroids can inhibit the immune system and protect healthy hair follicles. Oral, topical, and injectable medicines are among the treatments available. Corticosteroids are most successful in treating the following kinds of alopecia:
Alopecia areata
Complete alopecia
Minoxidil
Minoxidil (Rogaine), a regularly used drug, is available without a prescription. It can be applied topically to areas of hair loss.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections
Plasma is a component of your blood that contains unique proteins that aid in blood clotting. It also has proteins that promote cell development. PRP is made by isolating and condensing plasma from the blood. PRP injections into damaged tissues may stimulate your body to create new, healthy cells and promote recovery. PRP scalp injections may improve the health of the scalp, creating a better environment for hair development.
Immunotherapy
Topical immunotherapy can be a long-term, safe, and effective treatment for alopecia areata.
Laser Treatment
The FDA has approved a low-level laser device as a treatment for hereditary hair loss in both men and women. It contributes to increased hair density.
Natural Treatments:
Massage
When combined with hair oils and masks, scalp massage stimulates the scalp and may help improve thickness. Stretching during massage is thought to increase hair growth in the epithelial cells at the base of the hair follicle.
Onion Juice
If you can endure the odor of onion juice, the benefits may exceed the disadvantages. Onion juice has been shown to stimulate hair growth and effectively treat patchy alopecia areata.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe Vera has been used to treat hair loss for generations. It also hydrates and calms the scalp and hair.
References:
Aad. HAIR LOSS TYPES: ALOPECIA AREATA OVERVIEW. Retrieved from www.aad.org.com: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/types/alopecia
Fda. FDA Approves First Systemic Treatment for Alopecia Areata. Retrieved from www.fda.gov.com:
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-systemic-treatment-alopecia-areata
Mayoclinic. Hair loss. Retrieved from www.mayoclinic.org.com:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20372926#:~:text=Hair%20loss%20(alopecia)%20can%20affect,it's%20more%20co
Pennmedicine. Hair Loss (Alopecia). Retrieved from www.pennmedicine.org.com: https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/hair-loss-alopecia-areata
Shilpa. Alopecia areata: Causes, diagnosis and treatments. Retrieved from www.medicalnewstoday.com:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/70956
Stephanie. Alopecia Areata. Retrieved from www.webmd.com:
https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/alopecia-areata
