In alopecia areata, your hair falls out in patches, which may become more noticeable if they connect. This condition occurs when your immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing them to stop growing. In this blog post, we will discuss how to prevent, recognize, and treat alopecia areata, which can affect anyone of any age, gender, or ethnicity.
Alopecia areata is thought to be an autoimmune disorder, but its exact cause is unknown. When your immune system mistakesnly attacks your own healthy cells and tissues, it is called alopecia areata. Hair follicles, which produce hair, are targeted by your immune system in alopecia areata.
Alopecia areata may be triggered or worsened by the following factors:
Genetics: You may inherit genes that make you more prone to alopecia areata or affect how your immune system works.
Stress: You may experience physical or emotional stress that can weaken your immune system or trigger inflammation in your body.
Infections: You may have viral or bacterial infections that can affect your hair follicles or stimulate your immune system.
Medications: You may take certain drugs that can interfere with your hair growth or cause allergic reactions in your body.
Hormones: You may have hormonal changes or imbalances that can affect your hair follicles or immune system.
In alopecia areata, coin-sized patches of hair fall out, mainly from the scalp. However, any site of hair growth may also be affected, including the eyebrows, eyelashes, beard, chest, arms, and legs.
The hair loss may occur suddenly or gradually over weeks or months. The patches may grow larger or smaller over time. The hair loss can be temporary or permanent, depending on the severity and duration.
Alopecia areata may also cause the following symptoms:
In the affected areas, there is an itching or burning sensation.
The remaining hair changes in texture or color.
Nails that are brittle or ridged.
Skin spots or lines that are white.
It is important to tell your doctor about your medical history, family history, and possible triggers of your condition in order to diagnose alopecia areata.
A doctor may perform some tests to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other causes of hair loss. These tests include:
The results of blood tests can be used to detect if you have any infections, hormonal imbalances, or nutritional deficiencies that may affect the growth of your hair.
A skin biopsy involves taking a small sample of skin from the affected area and examining it under a microscope to determine whether the hair follicles are damaged or inflamed.
A few strands of hair are plucked from the affected area and analyzed for their structure and composition. It can show if the hair shafts are abnormal.
Alopecia areata cannot be cured, but there are treatments that can reduce its symptoms and promote hair regrowth. These treatments include:
Drugs can help suppress the immune system's attack on the hair follicles or stimulate their growth. Medications for alopecia areata include:
Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs that can be applied as creams, injected into the scalp, or taken orally. They can reduce inflammation and swelling in the hair follicles and prevent further hair loss.
Rogaine (minoxidil): This is a topical solution that can be applied to the scalp twice a day to stimulate the growth of hair follicles.
Applied to the scalp for a short period of time, Anthralin (Dritho-Scalp) can irritate the skin and trigger the immune system to increase hair growth.
In immunotherapy, chemicals such as diphencyprone (DPCP) or squaric acid dibutyl ester (SADBE) are applied to the scalp. It is possible for these chemicals to cause allergic reactions and inflammation of the skin, which can divert the immune system from the hair follicles and allow them to grow.
A light therapy treatment involves exposing the affected areas to ultraviolet light, which suppresses the immune system and reduces inflammation in the skin. In addition, it can stimulate the production of melanin, the pigment that gives your hair and skin its color.
The procedure involves transplanting healthy hair follicles from one part of the body to another. It can provide a permanent solution to hair loss, but it is costly and may lead to scarring or infection. It is also not suitable for everyone, since donor hair must be sufficient and your condition must be stable.
Despite the fact that alopecia areata cannot be prevented, there are some things you can do to reduce the risk of it triggering or worsening. These include:
Find healthy ways to cope with stress, such as meditation, exercise, or hobbies.
In case of fever, sore throat, or cough, avoid infections or seek medical attention promptly.
Steroids, anticoagulants, drugs, and other medications can interfere with your hair growth or cause allergic reactions.
You should maintain a balanced diet and take supplements if necessary to ensure your body receives essential nutrients for hair growth, such as iron, zinc, biotin, or vitamin D.
Use hats, sunscreen, or gentle hair products to protect your scalp and hair from sun damage.
The condition alopecia areata is characterized by hair loss in patches. It is caused by an autoimmune disorder that attacks the hair follicles. It can affect anyone of any age, gender, or ethnicity. It is possible to protect yourself and others from the harmful effects of alopecia areata if you are aware of its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
