Everything You Need to Know About Alopecia Areata
What is Alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that attacks your body’s hair follicles, causing hair loss. The severity of Alopecia areata can range from random patches of hair loss to full hair loss, including the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair. Medications and therapies can help the hair regrow, though severe cases may not respond to treatment.
Different types of Alopecia:
There are different forms of Alopecia that people can struggle with:
Alopecia areata totalis- Loss of all hair on the scalp.
Alopecia areata universalis- Loss of all hair on the scalp and body.
Diffuse alopecia areata- Hair thins rather than falling out in patches
Ophiasis alopecia areata- Loss of a band of hair on the bottom back sides of the scalp.
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What causes Alopecia?
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks the hair follicles, mistaking them for a foreign substance like fungi, bacteria, or a parasite. The hair starts to fall out in clumps, leaving patches of exposed scalp. With time, all the hair on the head—and even the body—can be lost due to alopecia.
There are several different causes of alopecia, some of which are beyond the control of the person struggling with the condition:
Heredity - Having a family history of alopecia is a leading cause of alopecia. Called androgenic alopecia, it occurs due to aging. It typically appears as a receding hairline and bald spots in males and thinning hair along the crown of the scalp in females.
Medical conditions - People who have autoimmune diseases like diabetes, thyroid, and lupus, or people who have family members with these diseases are at greater risk of suffering from alopecia. Additionally, some people struggle with a disorder called trichotillomania, where they compulsively pull out their hair.
Medication - People who have cancer and need radiation will usually incur hair loss. Post-treatment, the hair may not grow back the way it was previously. Other medications for depression, gout, high blood pressure, arthritis, and heart problems can also cause hair loss.
Insufficient nutrition - Not having enough food or a variety of food types (ie: protein, vegetables, starch, fibres, etc) can cause hair loss.
Hormonal changes - The hormonal changes to the body during childbirth, menopause, and pregnancy can cause temporary or permanent hair loss.
Hairstyles - Wearing tight ponytails or cornrows can cause thinning of the hair. This hair loss is known as traction alopecia.
Hair treatment - Using hot oils and other hair treatments excessively can lead to hair loss.
Stress - After a traumatic or stressful event, people can experience hair loss, which is usually temporary.
In short, the cause of alopecia is usually genetic but can also be caused by the combined factors of genes and a virus that triggers hair loss.
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The effects of hair loss:
There are several adverse effects of hair loss, especially when the diagnosis is alopecia areata universalis- total loss of all hair on the scalp and body:
Exposure on the scalp- The hair on the head protects the scalp from too much exposure to the sun and wind. When the hair is partially or fully lost, the scalp is more vulnerable to receiving a sunburn, or it can become very cold. Wearing a hat, scarf, or wig can protect the scalp.
Loss of protection for the eyes- Eyelashes assist in keeping dust and the sun out of the eyes, so it may be advisable to wear sunglasses, especially during the summer when the sun is strong or when visiting places like the beach, where sand particles can get into the eyes.
Loss of self-esteem- Hair is central to who we are. Hair loss can be devastating, greatly affecting self-esteem, especially for women. People experiencing hair loss may feel lonely and shunned by society, a feeling that can be worked on
Is Alopecia reversible?
Alopecia caused by genetics is irreversible. It occurs with aging, and there are no known ways to halt hair loss. However, there are some things you can do to prevent the progression of hair loss in the case where it occurs due to other preventable factors mentioned above:
Be gentle with your hair. Don’t tug at it, brush it obsessively, or use hot curling irons. You can use a wide-toothed comb to ensure the least possible amount of hair falls out. Additionally, avoid hairstyles that utilize rubber bands or advanced styling techniques, like braiding.
Be aware of which medications or supplements you are taking. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if they could be causing hair loss, and explore your options for alternative medications if necessary.