Alopecia Areata
Alopecia is a condition that causes bald patches to appear on your scalp or other parts of your body. People of all ages and races can develop it.
In many cases, the patches get larger and join together. In rare cases, hair is completely lost from your entire scalp or body, a condition called alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis. 무모증모발이식
Causes
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease, meaning your immune system attacks part of your body by mistake. Autoimmune diseases are the result of genetic predisposition to a certain type of illness, or they can be caused by a virus or bacteria in your environment.
In alopecia areata, the immune system attacks your hair follicles. This causes your hair to fall out in a patchy pattern, usually on the scalp and other parts of your body.
People with alopecia areata can also have nail changes, like pitting or lesions. These are more common in children, but can also occur in adults.
Alopecia areata is not a serious illness, but it can be uncomfortable. Using hats, scarves or wigs can help to cover bare patches on the head. Other ways to cope with alopecia areata include avoiding harsh hair care products and talking with your doctor about what can be done to make you feel better.
압구정모발이식 You can also use a corticosteroid, which helps your hair regrow.
Alopecia Areata Symptoms
Symptoms of alopecia range from a small patch on the head to complete hair loss in the scalp and body. In most cases, hair grows back within a few months.
Alopecia areata, the most common type of alopecia, is often seen in children and adults. It affects the scalp, beard area, and other parts of the body, such as eyelashes and eyebrows.
This condition is an autoimmune disease, meaning the immune system attacks the body’s own organs, including the hair follicles. It is thought to be triggered by a combination of genetics and environmental factors, such as stress.
In some people, it can be triggered by other immune system diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, lupus, or atopic dermatitis. If you have a family history of these diseases, talk to your doctor about having a skin biopsy done to make a diagnosis. You might also have a blood test to check for other conditions.
Alopecia Areata Diagnosis
Diagnosis is usually made by close visual examination, and sometimes a skin biopsy may be required. A dermatologist can detect inflammation on the scalp, which helps to confirm a diagnosis of autoimmune alopecia like lichen planopilaris or psoriasis or lupus erythematosus.
Alopecia areata occurs most commonly in a patch on the scalp but can also occur on other areas of the body, such as eyebrows and eyelashes or the beard area in men. It begins with smooth, round or oval patches that look like bald spots.
These bare spots often contain short broken hairs or “exclamation point” hairs that are narrower at their base than their tip, and white hairs that grow in the bald spot.
Alopecia is a common condition, but it can cause emotional and physical discomfort. It’s important to discuss it with your doctor and get proper treatment to prevent it from becoming permanent. It can also be linked to other autoimmune disorders, so make sure you have all your health care providers on the same page.
Alopecia Areata Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options available for alopecia. Some of these include medicines, wigs and hairpieces, and cosmetic treatments such as makeup, sunglasses and coverings for the eyes.
The best treatment for alopecia depends on the type of the disease and your symptoms. It is important to get a diagnosis as quickly as possible so that treatment can be started early.
A doctor may order blood tests and a skin biopsy if there is any concern that other health conditions are causing the bald patches. The doctor also might suggest an anti-inflammatory drug or other medication to reduce the inflammation in the follicles and help the hair grow back.
For most people with alopecia areata, the hair grows back over time. However, it is possible to develop a severe case where hair does not grow back at all. Some patients opt to forego treatment altogether and live with the condition. It is very important to talk with a healthcare professional about all of the evidence-based options available and then decide what will be most beneficial for you.