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ALOPECIA AREATA

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ALOPECIA AREATA

Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune disorder that causes hair to fall out in small patches.

  • These patches may take any shape, they are usually round or oval.
  • Alopecia areata mostly affects the scalp but may occur on any part of the body that has hair.
  • The condition is due to an attack on the hair follicle by the immune system.
  • The amount of hair loss varies from person to person. Some people may experience hair loss that is nothing less than a few patches and others may be extreme with a lot of hair loss.
  • Alopecia areata affects males and females regardless of age, though onset is mostly in childhood.
  • In rare cases, total loss of hair on the head may occur (alopecia areata total) or total hair loss on the entire body (alopecia areata universalis).

CAUSES

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks the hair follicles and suppresses hair growth. What triggers the immune system to attack the hair follicle is not known.

Certain factors that predispose an individual to a greater risk of developing the condition include:

  • A family history of the condition
  • Celiac disease
  • Type 1 diabetes
  • Rheumatoid arthritis

SYMPTOMS

  • hair begin to fall out, mainly from the scalp
  • One or more well-defined spots of hair loss on the scalp
  • Thinning of hair on the scalp
  • Itching or burning in the area of hair loss

Alopecia areata can also affect the fingernails and toenails. Changes that may occur to the nails are:

  • White spots and white lines appear
  • Nails become thin and split
  • Nails get rough

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

DIAGNOSIS

Your doctor may need to review your symptoms and look at the extent of your hair loss during diagnosis.

The doctor may also need to examine some hair follicles.

A scalp biopsy where a small piece of skin on your hair will be removed for analysis is performed. This is done to rule out other conditions that may cause hair loss.

Blood tests may be performed to check for the presence of one or more antibodies associated with an autoimmune disorder.  This is done if autoimmune conditions are suspected.

TREATMENT

There is no known cure for alopecia areata. However, the condition can be treated.

The aim of treatment is to stop future hair loss or help the hair grow back more quickly.

The effectiveness of each treatment will vary among individuals.

Some people don’t need treatment as their hair grows back on its own.

Certain medications such as minoxidil can be rubbed into the scalp to help stimulate hair growth

Steroid injections or corticosteroid creams and ointment can also be used.

In some cases, to promote hair growth, photochemotherapy may be used.

To help minimize discomfort, some certain steps may also be taken, including;

  • Use of sunscreen to protect exposed area from sunburns
  • Wig, hat or scarf can be worn to protect the hair

Alopecia areata associated with celiac disease may be treated with a gluten-free diet. This allows for complete and permanent regrowth of hair on the scalp and other body parts.