Alopecia Areata

Alopecia Areata (AA) is a condition in which there is a loss of hair on the scalp or the body.

It is affecting 1 percent of the population mostly the children.

Even adults are also affected by Alopecia Areata and it can occur at any age.

According to scientists, it is an autoimmune disease in which hair follicles are attacked by WBC from the immune system and kept them away from the producing hairs.

TYPES

• Alopecia areata multilocularis
• Alopecia areata barbae
• Alopecia areata totalis
• Alopecia areata monolocularis
• Diffuse alopecia areata
• Alopecia areata universalis

CAUSES

It is an autoimmune disease and not considered as contagious. The cause for Alopecia Areata is not known. Genetic factor can be one of the causes for AA.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF AA

It starts with one or small, coin size, round, bare patches. It is mostly common on the scalp and even includes eyelashes, eyebrows and beards. Hair grows with the full hair regrowth.

There is no such symptom which can cause Alopecia areata but there can be itching or minor discomfort when a new patch is developed. Nails also become distorted and can have tiny pinpoint dents. This is not a serious disease and the person can have risk of asthma, atopic eczema, allergies etc.

DIAGNOSIS

It occurs mostly in the late teenage years and with almost people of all ages. Fingernails can also be affected along with the hair loss. Diagnosis is done in which other treatable diseases are excluded that can be the cause for hair loss such as tinea capitis and trichotillomania. Patches of broken hair and no skin changes which are associated with the alopecia areata can be found in trichotillomania.

TREATMENT

There is no permanent cure or treatment for alopecia areata but these treatments promote new patches of hair loss and hair growth. Many treatments are available and they are:-

• Anthralin – It is a substance which looks like a synthetic tar that alters immune system which affects the skin. It can be applied for 20 to 60 minutes and should be washed off to protect from skin irritation.
• Corticosteroids – These drugs are taken as pills and given in the form of injections in the areas of hair loss. Steroid injections can also be given in the patches on the scalp and any hair bearing skin. Corticosteroids will have positive side effects if taken by mouth.
• Topical minoxidil 5% solution – This solution can be applied twice to the scalp which promotes the hair growth in children and adults and new hair will appear in 12 weeks.

Caps, hats and wigs are worn by the people having alopecia areata and it does not affect the general health.