Introduction to Alopecia Areata
Hair loss has different types. The type of hair loss that is found most commonly is Alopecia Areata. This disease is the most common cause of hair loss in many people at any age. In this disease, different small patches of round shape appear on the scalp. These patches of baldness continue to come and go. Hair growth on the other parts of the body is also affected by this disease. Usually the disease affects the hair on the scalp, but in some cases it can also affect both the scalp and our body. No prediction can be made about the extent of hair loss.
Causes of Alopecia Areata
The main cause of this disease is the immune system of our body that protects us from certain diseases. Immune system causes this disease automatically that is why it is also known as autoimmune disease. When this disease develops, the hair follicles are attacked by our immune system. This disease is further triggered by the genetic makeup and other factors of a person. A person suffering from Alopecia Areata is easily caught by the other auto immune infections also.
Symptoms of Alopecia Areata
Appearance of a bald patch on the scalp is its major symptom. These patches have a round shape. Patches develop very quickly, and one can notice these patches on scalp easily. There is no other symptom. Scalp looks healthy. Another symptom is the appearance of tapered hair at the edges of these round patches on the scalp.
Signs
Some common signs of this type of hair loss are:
€ Redness on the Scalp
€ Scalp Scaling
€ Burning of Scalp
€ Appearance of Itchy bald patches
Tests
There is no test that is performed for diagnosing this disease. The disease can be confirmed easily by the appearance of patches in round shape on the scalp. Some specialists may recommend some other test. These tests include:
€ Blood Test
Blood test is performed to determine the causes of hair loss.
€ Scalp Skin Biopsy
Observing a patch of skin under microscope for the disease confirmation
Diagnosis
A specialist can easily diagnose this disease by observing the patches on the scalp. Scalp burning, itchy patches, and redness on the scalp confirm this disease. The reports of blood tests can be the most helpful in diagnosing this disease.
Prognosis
€ The people suffering from a mild Alopecia Areata get better without any proper treatment.
€ Patches on the scalp continue to come and go. These patches also vary in size.
€ If the disease has affected less than half scalp, there are 98% chances of recovery.
€ If patches are on all over the scalp, re-growth of the hair seems to be impossible.
€ Alopecia Areata may occur in cycles after the re-growth of hair.
Prevention
You should take following measure for preventing hair loss.
€ You ought to take vitamin A and vitamin C rich food items.
€ Always take the vegetables that can resist hair loss, high silicon vegetables i.e. potatoes.
€ Use a mixture of coconut milk and gram flour. It better prevents the hair loss.
€ Aloe Vera Gel is the best to use. The use of Aloe Vera Gel promotes the development of scalp and hair.
Types
There are two major types of Alopecia Areata.
€ Alopecia Totalis
In this type of Alopecia Areata, one has no hair on the scalp. The hair growth on the other body organs is not affected.
€ Alopecia Universalis
This type of hair loss affects the hair growth on the body and on the scalp also.
Complications of Alopecia Areata
Complications that originate from this disease include:
€ Psychological Distress
€ Lose of Confidence
€ Nail pitting
€ Frustration
€ Behavioral disorders
€ Onycholysis
€ Alopecia
Home Remedies
If you are not suffering from extensive Alopecia Areata, no treatment is the right option for you. Some home remedies that you can follow to get rid of this disease include:
€ Use of Essentials Oils
Use of essential oils can help you in getting rid of hair loss. So, develop a habit of massaging your scalp with a mixture of essential oils, i.e. a mixture of coconut, almond, lavender, rosemary, and jojoba oil.
€ Use Onion Juice
Another home remedy to get rid of hair loss is to use onion juice. Use of onion juice helps in promoting the growth of our hair.
Treatment
This is an unpredictable disease. Patches can re-grow on their own. Doctors advise no treatment if a patient has 1 or 2 patches as in these cases there are more than 98% chances of self recovery. In case of extensive hair loss, you need a treatment. This disease affects our health. The recommended treatments for this disease include:
€ Steroid Injections
These injections are injected into bald patches. Through these, the reaction of local immune is suppressed. Thus, after this, hair follicles continue to work in the normal way. This treatment is recommended if you have small sized bald patches. It is completed in different sessions.
€ Topical (rub-on) Steroid
If you do not want to get injected into your scalp, steroid jells and creams are also available in the market. These creams are less effective than the steroid injections.
€ Minoxidil Solution
This solution is rubbed on the scalp. It is quite effective in promoting the growth of the hair. This is the most common treatment with a high rate of success.
€ Topical Immunotherapy
This is another recommended treatment for the people facing long-lasting loss of hair. You should consult an expert skin specialist for this treatment. This treatment also promotes hair growth.
Some other recommended treatments include:
€ Phototherapy
€ Dermatography
€ Counseling
€ Use of Sun block
When to seek medical care?
This disease cannot be predicted easily. So, if you feel scalp burning and skin itching, it is the right time to seek medical care even if you have small sized bald patches. In case of persistent and extensive hair loss, you need to take an immediate action.
Hair loss has different types. The type of hair loss that is found most commonly is Alopecia Areata. This disease is the most common cause of hair loss in many people at any age. In this disease, different small patches of round shape appear on the scalp. These patches of baldness continue to come and go. Hair growth on the other parts of the body is also affected by this disease. Usually the disease affects the hair on the scalp, but in some cases it can also affect both the scalp and our body. No prediction can be made about the extent of hair loss.
Causes of Alopecia Areata
The main cause of this disease is the immune system of our body that protects us from certain diseases. Immune system causes this disease automatically that is why it is also known as autoimmune disease. When this disease develops, the hair follicles are attacked by our immune system. This disease is further triggered by the genetic makeup and other factors of a person. A person suffering from Alopecia Areata is easily caught by the other auto immune infections also.
Symptoms of Alopecia Areata
Appearance of a bald patch on the scalp is its major symptom. These patches have a round shape. Patches develop very quickly, and one can notice these patches on scalp easily. There is no other symptom. Scalp looks healthy. Another symptom is the appearance of tapered hair at the edges of these round patches on the scalp.
Signs
Some common signs of this type of hair loss are:
€ Redness on the Scalp
€ Scalp Scaling
€ Burning of Scalp
€ Appearance of Itchy bald patches
Tests
There is no test that is performed for diagnosing this disease. The disease can be confirmed easily by the appearance of patches in round shape on the scalp. Some specialists may recommend some other test. These tests include:
€ Blood Test
Blood test is performed to determine the causes of hair loss.
€ Scalp Skin Biopsy
Observing a patch of skin under microscope for the disease confirmation
Diagnosis
A specialist can easily diagnose this disease by observing the patches on the scalp. Scalp burning, itchy patches, and redness on the scalp confirm this disease. The reports of blood tests can be the most helpful in diagnosing this disease.
Prognosis
€ The people suffering from a mild Alopecia Areata get better without any proper treatment.
€ Patches on the scalp continue to come and go. These patches also vary in size.
€ If the disease has affected less than half scalp, there are 98% chances of recovery.
€ If patches are on all over the scalp, re-growth of the hair seems to be impossible.
€ Alopecia Areata may occur in cycles after the re-growth of hair.
Prevention
You should take following measure for preventing hair loss.
€ You ought to take vitamin A and vitamin C rich food items.
€ Always take the vegetables that can resist hair loss, high silicon vegetables i.e. potatoes.
€ Use a mixture of coconut milk and gram flour. It better prevents the hair loss.
€ Aloe Vera Gel is the best to use. The use of Aloe Vera Gel promotes the development of scalp and hair.
Types
There are two major types of Alopecia Areata.
€ Alopecia Totalis
In this type of Alopecia Areata, one has no hair on the scalp. The hair growth on the other body organs is not affected.
€ Alopecia Universalis
This type of hair loss affects the hair growth on the body and on the scalp also.
Complications of Alopecia Areata
Complications that originate from this disease include:
€ Psychological Distress
€ Lose of Confidence
€ Nail pitting
€ Frustration
€ Behavioral disorders
€ Onycholysis
€ Alopecia
Home Remedies
If you are not suffering from extensive Alopecia Areata, no treatment is the right option for you. Some home remedies that you can follow to get rid of this disease include:
€ Use of Essentials Oils
Use of essential oils can help you in getting rid of hair loss. So, develop a habit of massaging your scalp with a mixture of essential oils, i.e. a mixture of coconut, almond, lavender, rosemary, and jojoba oil.
€ Use Onion Juice
Another home remedy to get rid of hair loss is to use onion juice. Use of onion juice helps in promoting the growth of our hair.
Treatment
This is an unpredictable disease. Patches can re-grow on their own. Doctors advise no treatment if a patient has 1 or 2 patches as in these cases there are more than 98% chances of self recovery. In case of extensive hair loss, you need a treatment. This disease affects our health. The recommended treatments for this disease include:
€ Steroid Injections
These injections are injected into bald patches. Through these, the reaction of local immune is suppressed. Thus, after this, hair follicles continue to work in the normal way. This treatment is recommended if you have small sized bald patches. It is completed in different sessions.
€ Topical (rub-on) Steroid
If you do not want to get injected into your scalp, steroid jells and creams are also available in the market. These creams are less effective than the steroid injections.
€ Minoxidil Solution
This solution is rubbed on the scalp. It is quite effective in promoting the growth of the hair. This is the most common treatment with a high rate of success.
€ Topical Immunotherapy
This is another recommended treatment for the people facing long-lasting loss of hair. You should consult an expert skin specialist for this treatment. This treatment also promotes hair growth.
Some other recommended treatments include:
€ Phototherapy
€ Dermatography
€ Counseling
€ Use of Sun block
When to seek medical care?
This disease cannot be predicted easily. So, if you feel scalp burning and skin itching, it is the right time to seek medical care even if you have small sized bald patches. In case of persistent and extensive hair loss, you need to take an immediate action.
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