Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition in which your hair falls out in clumps the size and shape of a quarter. Hair loss varies in intensity from one person to the next. Some folks lose it in a few places. Others suffer significant losses. Hair grows back in some cases but then falls out again. In others, hair regrows permanently.
Alopecia areata is the most prevalent variety, but there are additional, less common types:
It totalis is a condition in which you have lost all of the hair on your head.
Alopecia areata Universalis is a condition in which you lose hair all over your body.
Diffuse alopecia areata is characterized by a rapid thinning of your hair rather than areas of hair loss.
Ophiasis alopecia areata causes hair loss in a band around the sides and back of your
Symptoms of Alopecia
Hair loss is the most common and frequently the sole symptom of alopecia. You may have seen the following:
Bald patches on your scalp or elsewhere on your body
Patches may become larger and join to form a bald spot.
Hair regrows in one area while falling out in another.
You lose a lot of hair in a short period of time.
In the winter, there is more hair loss.
Toenails and fingernails turn red, brittle, and pitted.
There is no irritation or redness on the hairless regions of the skin. However, just before the hair falls out, you may experience a tingling, itching, or burning feeling on your skin.
Diagnosis of Alopecia
If you suspect you have alopecia areata, you should seek treatment from a dermatologist. They’ll do the following:
Discuss your symptoms with you.
Examine the regions where you’ve lost hair in detail.
Pull the hairs at the bald patch’s edges lightly to check whether they come out readily.
Look for unusually shaped hairs and follicles in individual hairs and follicles.
Take a look at your nails.
A biopsy is a procedure in which a little skin sample from your scalp removes and examined under a microscope.
Treatment for Alopecia
Alopecia areata is incurable. However, it is treatable, and hair can regrow. There are a few things you can try if you have it:
Corticosteroids
These are anti-inflammatory medications used to treat autoimmune illnesses. They can be injected into the scalp or other parts of the body. They can also be taken as a tablet or applied as an ointment, lotion, or foam to the skin.
Immunotherapy
Employes when there is a lot of hair loss, or it happens more than once. To cause an allergic reaction, chemicals administers to the scalp.
Minoxidil
This scalp therapy already uses to treat pattern baldness. Some consumers are dissatisfied with the outcomes because it takes about 12 weeks to notice growth.
Home Alopecia Treatment
If you have alopecia areata, you can attempt a variety of treatments in addition to drugs.
Wear wigs, hats, or scarves to complete the look. They will hide your baldness and shield your head from the sun.
Reduce your stress levels. Alopecia areata appears to be trigger by personal problems, albeit this has not been scientifically verified. Stress can also cause telogen effluvium, which is a type of hair loss.
Alopecia Prognosis
Alopecia areata isn’t usually a significant medical disease, but it might leave you feeling anxious and depressed. There are support groups available to assist you in dealing with the psychological effects of the illness.
Even if you lose all of your hair, it may regrow. If it doesn’t, there are a variety of options for concealing hair loss and protecting your scalp.