Alopecia Areata – are You at Risk?

Genetic conditioning takes a toll on our anatomy both positively and negatively. While being born with a slim frame works to keep you looking great no matter what you devour, a condition like Alopecia Areata could completely ruin your lifestyle.

What is Alopecia Areata?

This hair-loss condition affects the scalp, commonly begins with small bald patches, that may spread on grow larger. According to research it could be an inherited trait and it mostly common in families in which this alopecia is already diagnosed. Other findings indicate that stress and anxiety may also cause it, in both children and adults. The Alopecia Areata condition may also affect other parts of the body.

Who Gets Affected by Alopecia Areata?

The hair loss condition that unfolds with the disorder is noted in many cases to be more on one side of the head. The condition affects both males and females, and also rarely in children. It is imperative to understand that the condition has nothing to do whatsoever with the condition referred to as the pattern baldness, which is an inherited condition. Both types are not contagious.

How is the condition caused?

Alopecia Areata is caused due to an immune system abnormality. The resultant autoimmunity brings on the malady of tissue damage. For unknown reasons still, something the medical fraternity is investigating; Alopecia Areata witnesses the immune system damaging the hair follicles! The formation of rather abnormal immune cells within the hair follicles is narrowed down to the root cause of the balding that subsequently shows up. The condition is also associated with other health conditions that are autoimmune in nature such as thyroid, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

The Types of Alopecia Areata

Alopecia Areata first makes a presence in the form of small, bald patches that are soft to touch. Most of the time, the patches are round in dimension. The condition is common to the scalp and beard regions, but also shows you on any other part of the body. Alopecia areata is known to slip into remission (temporarily or permanently) and affects different areas of the body and re-growth simultaneously too.

Types of this condition include:

• Alopecia Areata Monolocularis – loss of hair only in one spot
• Alopecia Areata – loss of hair in one or more round spots
• Diffuse Alopecia Areata – loss of hair diffusely over the whole scalp
• Alopecia Areata Multilocularis – loss of hair over multiple areas
• Alopecia Areata Barbae – hair loss limited to the beard
• Alopecia Areata Totalis – total hair loss
• Alopecia Areata Universalis – loss of all body hair

It is important to note that Alopecia Areata Totalis and Universalis are very rare conditions.

Diagnosis & Treatment

• Physical examination to discover areas of hair loss
• Use of the hand lens to check broken off hair
• Biopsy of the scalp
• Steroid injections
• Specially formulated creams and serums
• Minoxidil
• Topical immunotherapy
• Aromatherapy essential oils (lavender, rosemary, cedar wood and thyme)

In most cases, the condition goes away on with the help of treatment. Emotional stress is known to play a trigger factor and hence needs to be evaded, so your lifestyle and emotional situation may also effect healing and prevention. It is important to remember that the condition has multiple treatment options since none are known to consistently work for all cases.

Conclusion

If you see suspect you suffer from hair loss – begin with a visit to your doctor. The treatment depends on the type of hair loss you have, so let an expert to diagnose that. Over 95% of cases in men are due to male pattern baldness, and most hair loss products are designed to treat pattern baldness. Alopecia Areata is a different, even kids can have it, and it has nothing to do DHT or male hormones. The treatment should be under medical supervision, but at the same time some treatments that are used against pattern baldness can be used here as well – such as follicle stimulators, hair oils and natural topical products that are aimed to keep a clean healthy scalp. Stress therapy may also help in cases that stress is diagnosed as a possible cause.