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Alopecia Areata Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

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Dr. John Kahen
Alopecia Areata Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Alopecia areata is a known autoimmune condition that causes hair loss. It affects a lot of people in the US. In most cases, this condition makes hair fall in small circular patches around a quarter. These patches can be extreme, though. In severe cases, it can cause total hair loss on your scalp. Alopecia areata can affect anyone regardless of age and gender. This condition does not destroy the hair follicles. This means that your hair will grow back to normal after treatment.

Signs and Symptoms of Alopecia Areata

The main signs and symptoms of alopecia are hair loss. Hair usually falls out in little patches on your scalp. The patches are always a few centimeters or less. The hair loss might also happen on other parts of your face like the eyebrows, lashes, and beard. Some people will lose hair in several places while others in a lot of spots.

When you are showering, you may notice clumps of hair or even on the pillow. But other health conditions can cause hair loss that is the same as the pattern. Hair loss alone cannot be used to diagnose alopecia areata. In rare cases, people might get severe hair loss. This usually shows another type of alopecia like;

· Alopecia totalis, this condition happens in the scalp.

· Alopecia Universalis, this hair loss occurs all over your body.

You can as well lose all hair on the arms, legs, and scalp. You cannot predict the hair loss that results from alopecia areata. Doctors and researchers show that the condition is spontaneous. Your hair might grow back at any time, and then it might fall again. The extent of hair varies from person to person too.

Causes of Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is always an autoimmune disease. It happens when your immune system has mistaken healthy cells for foreign substances. Your body mainly defends body from foreign substances such as viruses and bacteria. When you get alopecia areata, your immune system will attack your hair follicles by mistake. 

The hair follicles are usually the structures at which the hair grows. The strands will intern become smaller and stop producing hair. This will lead to hair loss. Researchers have not yet known what causes this hair loss. But it usually happens in people who have a history of other autoimmune issues like diabetes or arthritis. This is the reason why doctors believe that genetics contribute to the creation of alopecia areata. They also trust that several factors like environmental factors are required to trigger alopecia areata in predisposed persons.

Treatment

The treatment for alopecia areata has not yet been recovered. But you can also try other therapies that can slow down hair loss from happening in the future. These treatments can also help your hair to multiply. It is also hard to predict this condition. This means you will need a lot of trials and errors until you find something that fits you. The hair loss can also become worse even if you are being treated. Medical treatments include;

Topical Agents

The doctor might give you some medications that you will use to rub on your scalp. These medications will help to stimulate hair growth. Several remedies are available. You can buy them over the counter, or your doctor will prescribe them to you.

Injections

Steroid injections are the main options for mild, patchy alopecia areata. The injections will help to regrow hair in bald areas. You will have to repeat these injections for several months.

Final Thought

Alopecia areata happens to both men and women, and you cannot prevent it. This is because what causes it is unknown. The condition may result from several things. So, if the hair loss persists even after the treatment, make sure to call your doctor. The doctor will examine your head and will let you know the cause of the hair loss.

 
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Dr. John Kahen
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