Alopecia Areata

Alopecia Areata - Bald Spot
Alopecia Areata is a hair loss condition characterized by the rapid onset of hair loss in a sharply defined area. Any hair-bearing surface can be affected, but the most noticeable surface is the scalp. The reason alopecia areata occurs is not completely known. In some cases it is associated with other diseases, but most of the time it is not. Research is ongoing to determine the best treatment for this sometimes-striking disease.

Causes of Alopecia Areata
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 history of alopecia areata in people who are affected. Alopecia areata appears to also have an autoimmune factor causing the patient to develop antibodies to different hair follicle structures.

Certain chemicals that are a part of the immune system called cytokines may play a role in alopecia areata by inhibiting hair follicle growth. Some studies show that emotional stress may also cause alopecia areata.
Hair loss occurs because the hair follicles in a discreet area all enter the telogen or late catagen stage of hair growth. In the catagen stage the hair follicle stops growing and in the telogen stage it falls out. Normally hairs are going through these stages at random and the growing hairs on the rest of the head outnumber the hairs that fall out. In alopecia areata, something causes all the hairs in a certain area to enter the telogen or catagen stage at the same time.

Appearance of Alopecia Areata
The characteristic patch of alopecia areata is usually round or oval, and is completely bald and smooth. "Exclamation-mark" hairs may be seen at the margin of the patch. These are broken, short hairs that taper at the base. Pulling slightly on these hairs causes them to fall out. Some people may experience a slight burning or tingling in the area of hair loss.

Prognosis of Alopecia Areata
The progress of alopecia areata is unpredictable. Some people lose hair in only a small patch. Others may have more extensive involvement. Alopecia totalis is the loss of 100% of scalp hair. Alopecia universalis is the loss of 100% of body hair. These last two conditions are rare. In the majority of patients, the hair will regrow completely within 1 year without any treatment.

Other Hair Loss Conditions
Other diseases that may be mistaken for alopecia areata include:

Telogen effluvium - generalized hair loss caused by pregnancy, certain drugs, high fever, or stress.
Androgenic alopecia - also known as male-pattern baldness.
Trichotillomania - manually pulling the hair out caused by a psychological disorder.
Secondary syphilis - causing a "moth-eaten" baldness pattern over the entire scalp.
Treatment of Alopecia Areata
There are several different treatment options for alopecia areata. The most common is observation. If the patch of hair loss is small, it is reasonable to observe it and allow the hair to regrow on its own. Another option is applying a strong topical steroid such as Diprolene or Temovate to the patch. It may take several months for the hair to grow back using this method. Another common therapeutic option is injection of a steroid, such as Celestone into the involved scalp skin. Initial regrowth of hair can be seen in 4-8 weeks and treatments are repeated every 4-6 weeks. The main side effect from any steroid use is thinning of the skin.

Minoxidil has been used to promote hair growth and has shown cosmetically acceptable results in 30% of cases. Minoxidil does not stop the disease process so stopping applications after hair has started to grow back may cause the hair to fall out again.

Another type of treatment is designed to produce a contact dermatitis, or irritation, at the site seemingly stimulating hair growth. The most common irritant used is called anthralin. Some studies suggest using minoxidil and anthralin in combination may be more effective.

Finally, as a measure when "all else fails", PUVA may be used as a treatment. PUVA is also known as photochemotherapy. It involves taking a type of drug called psoralens (P) about 2 hours before measured exposure to long-wave ultraviolet light (UVA). This treatment is used most commonly in severe cases of psoriasis. The initiation of hair regrowth may take 40-80 treatments and complete regrowth up to 1-2 years.

Late onset thinning (age-related)

This condition can be seen in diffuse hair loss across the scalp as density is reduced gradually. This is due to age-related hormonal changes as the natural reduction of oestrogen/progesterone production results in the hair follicles becoming smaller and smaller. These produce finer and finer hair until there is a general reduction in overall density

Weathering (trichorrhexis nodosa)

Trichorrhexis nodosa can be a genetic weakness within the hair shaft or weakness and breakage due to weathering i.e. over use of heat during the drying process or manual trauma due to tension on the hair from tight ponytail clasps, rollers (particularly velcro) or smoothing irons. Ultra violet light, central heating and the wind can all exacerbate this further and the condition will become progressive without correct treatment.

Friction Alopecia

Friction alopecia is hair loss caused by constant rubbing on the hair, such as that created by an over-tight ponytail, plaiting or through using too tight rollers to style the hair. The action of rubbing on the hair over a long period of time results in the gradual shrinking of the hair follicle and so the hairs produced become finer and finer.

Traction alopecia

Traction alopecia is hair loss caused by constant tension on the hair, such as that created by an over-tight ponytail, plaiting or through using too tight rollers to style the hair. The action of pulling on the hair over a long period of time results in the gradual shrinking of the hair follicle and so the hairs produced become finer and finer.

Alopecia totalis

Alopecia totalis is recognized by the loss of all scalp hair. Most sufferers are children and young adults (below 40 years old), though it can affect people of all ages. It can also affect the sufferer's nails, giving them a pitted, ridged or brittle appearance. The exact cause is still unknown, although current theories include an autoimmune disease, stress or suggest a genetic basis.

Alopecia universalis

Alopecia universalis is recognized by the loss of all body hair. Most sufferers are children and young adults (below 40 years old), though it can affect people of all ages. In its early stages, the usual ratio of hairs in anagen (growing) and telogen (resting) phases is disturbed and more hairs enter the telogen stage, leading to sudden hair loss in small patches, which gradually widen with time until the hair loss is total. The exact cause is still unknown, although current theories include an autoimmune disease, stress or suggest a genetic basis.

Alopecia areata

Alopecia Areata is an extremely common condition and will affect 1% to 2% of the population at some point in their lives. Most sufferers are children and young adults (below 40 years old), though it can affect people of all ages. The hair loss is sudden and manifests itself in small, smooth-skinned patches that are likely to gradually widen with time. It can also affect the sufferer's nails, giving them a pitted, ridged or brittle appearance. The exact cause is still unknown, although current theories include an auto-immune disease, stress or suggest a genetic basis.

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is a condition that afflicts all humans from teen age to 50. It begins with loss of hair from scalp to other places on the body where hair normally grows. It usually starts in patches, and can slowly encompass the entire scalp or body.

Hair loss to the entire scalp is called Alopecia totalis. Hair loss to the entire body is called Alopecia universalis. Your head is the most affected area, which is natural because it has the largest number of hairs on the scalp, sides and face. Alopecia can occur in either men or women of any age, but children are normally affected the most often when it is a hereditary ailment.

An interesting fact is that hair follicles, the roots of the hair, although they may appear to have shrunken and hair growth does not appear above the surface of the skin, they remain alive and can burst into spontaneous regrowth anytime, days, months or years after the original onset with full hair recovery.

Why it comes?
Most dermatologists say that the alopecia is the result of bad diet, stress, poor circulation or polluted environment.If your loved person has alopecia, you can help her recover and get full regrowth through a judicious blend of diet, massage, detox regimes, and it helps if she converts herself to a fully balanced diet full of whole foods, organic vegetables, free from refined or processed foods, eat lots of green, red and yellow vegetables.

How to stop it?
For a hair friendly diet, ensure that whole foods are consumed regularly. Prefer organic foods to refined or processed foods, and take lots of fresh and green vegetables, and importantly, drink lots of water. The humble Indian Gooseberry (amla) fruit was traditionally consumed to strengthen the hair, connective tissues and muscle.

It is essential to stay as far away as possible from chemicals, insecticides, herbicides, cosmetics and aerosol sprays. In fact one must consciously stay away from all man made pollutants or chemicals. It is advisable to use a Rosemary rinse on the scalp, as it is traditionally used to treat hair loss.