Alopecia areata is a condition in which the body assaults its own hair follicles (where hair grows), resulting in hair loss. In many people, this causes a circular or oval bald patch on the scalp. The condition can affect otherwise healthy people. They have hair loss and occasionally, some nail changes, but they are otherwise healthy. Hair loss can often be unpredictable. Without therapy, hair may regrow. When a person has only a few bald spots, this is more likely to happen. When the hair regrows, it may or may not fall out again. You may see dents, ridges, or brittle nails if you have alopecia areata. Some people’s nails turn red.
When does alopecia areata usually begin?
It can start at any age, although most people get it throughout their youth or adolescence. Without treatment, around half of them have their hair regrow within a year. The hair may never fall out again once it regrows. It’s also possible to have hair-loss and regeneration cycles that last for years.
If a parent has the condition, will a child get it?
A child’s risk of acquiring this type of alopecia is increased if a parent or close blood relative has (or has had) the disease. While the chance of developing it is higher, not every child with this increased risk will get the condition.
The research leading to new treatment
Researchers are still studying alopecia areata since it can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. The goal of much of this research is to find more effective treatments. This gives patients, particularly those suffering from extensive hair loss, new hope. A lot of this study is being done by dermatologists. If you have widespread alopecia areata as an adult, your dermatologist may suggest that you participate in one of these trials.
Types of alopecia areata
Your dermatologist may bring up the type of alopecia you have when discussing treatment options.
The most common types are:
Alopecia areata is a kind of alopecia. The medical term for baldness is alopecia. Patchy is the meaning of the word areata. Patchy baldness can appear everywhere on the body, including the scalp, beard, eyebrows, eyelashes, armpits, nose, and ears.
Alopecia totalis is a condition in which a person loses all of his or her hair on the scalp, leaving the scalp entirely bald.
Alopecia universalis is a condition in which a person loses all of his or her hair, leaving the entire body hairless. This is unusual.
View pictures of some ways that alopecia areata can affect the scalp, eyelashes, and nails at Alopecia areata: Signs and symptoms.
What are the signs and symptoms?
While alopecia areata is most commonly associated with hair loss on the scalp, it can affect any part of your body. It may occur in the eyelashes, eyebrows, or beard (men only). There are no signs of a rash, redness, or scarring wherever the hair loss occurs. A round or oval bald spot on the scalp is generally the first sign of alopecia areata.
What causes it?
It is an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss. This implies that your immune system has misidentified a portion of your body (the hair follicle in this case) and is attacking it.
Your immune system surrounds and attacks your hair follicles when you have this type of alopecia (the part of your body that makes hair). When a hair follicle is attacked, the connected hair falls out.
Your immune system may target more hair follicles, resulting in increased hair loss.
It’s crucial to note that, while this attack results in hair loss, the hair follicles are rarely destroyed. This means that you can regenerate your hair. It’s more likely that your hair will recover on its own if you have less hair loss.
How do dermatologists diagnose this condition?
Your dermatologist will carefully inspect the area(s) of hair loss as well as your nails. Your dermatologist will also inquire about your health. This may suffice to diagnose you.
Because there are so many causes of hair loss, testing may be required to ensure if alopecia areata is the root of your problem.
Other disorders caused by the immune system can be detected with a blood test. Another testing may be required at times.
If you have alopecia areata, your dermatologist will discuss how the condition affects your life and whether treatment is necessary.
How do dermatologists treat it?
If you’ve only recently been diagnosed with this type of alopecia and have had it for less than a year, your dermatologist may advise you to wait and see. Your hair may regrow on its own, negating the need for treatment.
When treatment is required, your dermatologist will take into account several criteria, including:
- What is your age?
- The extent of your hair loss
- Where do you lose your hair?
It’s critical to understand that no single treatment is effective for everyone. You may need to try a few different types of treatment or drugs to discover one that works. Here are some suggestions from your dermatologist.
- Topical or injectable corticosteroids.
- Minox(idil)
- Anthralin
- Bimatoprost (eyelash lost)
- Contact immunotherapy
- Methotrexate
- Medication (J-A-K inhibitors)
What is the prognosis for a person with this type of alopecia?
Hair can regrow on its own without treatment in some cases. When someone has a few patches of this type of hair loss that have been present for less than a year, this is more likely to occur.
Treatment can assist if your hair isn’t growing back.
In the lives of persons with this hair condition, self-care is also very important.
How to cope with this hair loss.
1. Try to accept that you have the condition: Alopecia areata is a hair loss condition that can be difficult to accept, but it is important to remember that you are not alone. It is important to come to terms with the fact that you have Alopecia areata and that it is not your fault.
2. Seek support from others: It can be helpful to talk to others who understand what you are going through.
3. Take care of yourself: It is important to take care of yourself both physically and emotionally when you have hair loss. Try to eat a healthy and balanced diet, get plenty of sleep, and take time for yourself.
Contact our Doctor’s for a diagnosis and treatment plan.
