Alopecia Areata disease
Alopecia areata is one type of baldness that quite often occurs. This disease causes hair loss in one area, then leaves a former that resembles one or more patches on the head. However, alopecia aerate does not only occur on the scalp. This disturbance of loss can occur in other areas of the body.
Loss occurs because the immune system attacks the hair follicles. In rare cases, alopecia areata can even be alopecia Universalis or total loss and obstruct the hair to grow back.
Disorders of baldness can attack both women and men. It usually occurs in adults in the range of ages 30 to 60 years. Alopecia areata differs from other hair loss, eg due to the termination of the use of hormonal contraceptives or due to pregnancy.
Alopecia Areata also has many other designations, such as the Alopecia Celsi, cicatrizant alopecia, and alopecia circumsripta.
Causes of Alopecia Areata
Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disease. That is, interference arises due to its immune system. The immune system in sufferers of alopecia areata acts abnormal and attacks the hair follicles themselves. Consequently, the hair follicle shrinks and stops producing hair. Hair loss happened.
The wrong immune system action is still unknown. However, this often happens to families with a history of other autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, lupus, vitiligo, and ulcerative colitis. Chances are, alopecia areata is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Diagnosis of Alopecia Areata
The doctor will determine the diagnosis of alopecia areata of symptoms and physical examination of hair loss. Some strands of hair will also be examined under a microscope. Some additional checks can be made to confirm the diagnosis.
The scalp biopsy examination by taking a little scalp can be done to get rid of any possible causes of other hair loss such as fungal infections or tinea capitis. Blood screening can be done to ensure the presence of autoimmune diseases such as antinuclear antibodies, CRP, iron levels, thyroid hormones, testosterone, FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone).
Symptoms of Alopecia Areata
The main symptom of alopecia areata is hair loss. Usually, sufferers initially realized the presence of hair loss on the pillow or in the bathroom. Hair loss generally resembles a small island on the scalp that is a few centimeters or smaller.
Hair loss can also occur in other areas of the body. The hair that is falling can grow them back and fall back. The degree of severity also varies with each individual.
Alopecia Areata Treatment
In most sufferers, alopecia areata will improve by itself without any specific treatment within a year. However, in some cases, baldness can be permanent. Until now no medication can cure alopecia areata. Treatment is usually aimed at helping hair growth faster and preventing loss in the latter days.
Medically, doctors can give treatment using a minoxidil to stimulate hair growth. Other options are injectable steroids or the use of a corticosteroid cream or shampoo.
Photochemotherapy can also be done to reproduce hair growth. Photochemotherapy uses a combination of ultraviolet radiation therapy and oral medications. The response to treatment will vary with each patient. Some people even also need a combination of several kinds of treatment.
Other alternative therapies are also available such as aromatherapy, acupuncture, herbal and vitamin use. This alternative action therapy is usually not clinically proven so that its effectiveness can not be ensured and can differ in every person.
To be more comfortable daily activities, people can also do the following ways:
- Use sunscreen on skin whose hair is experiencing loss to prevent sunburn skin
- Use protective goggles to protect the eyes if the eyelashes fall
- Using fake hair, hats, or a head covering cloth to protect the scalp