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Causes of Alopecia Areata
Alopecia Areata is an auto immune
disorder. Instead of attacking infection, as the immune system
is supposed to; auto immune disorder attacks parts of the body
instead. In the case of Alopecia Areata, the auto immune disorder
attacks the hair follicles.
While the exact cause of alopecia
areata is not clear, it appears to be a genetic predisposition
that is triggered by an external variable. The trigger may be
environmental .
Living with Alopecia Areata
Hair is an important part of
self identity and is often glamorized by the media, movies and
magazines. For a young child, teen or working adult, the unpredictability
of Alopecia Areata can be devastating. Social reaction can create
more problems including acting as a catalyst to agitate the frustration
and isolation.
Wigs, eyebrow and eye lash options
are available but often are expensive and sometimes make the
situation appear worse if they are not well crafted.
Support groups, online sites
and education can all help those suffering from the effects of
Alopecia Areata.
Treatment of Alopecia Areata
Part of the unpredictability
of Alopecia Areata is that it can change and shift in its progress
without warning. The hair follicles can regrow hair, but are
waiting, seemingly for a new trigger to start the regrowth. The
hair can come and go several times.
For Mild, Patchy Alopecia Areata
Cortisone Treatments
A dermatologist can inject cortisone
into the bald patches, which may stimulate new hair growth. Usually
if there is hair regrowth it will be within four weeks of the
injections, which will need to be repeated; generally once a
month.
Topical Minoxidil
A 5% solution of Minoxidil can
be applied twice a day to stimulate regrowth on scalp and eyebrow
areas. It can be discontinued if the hair returns. A 2% topical
solution of Minoxidil is not effective on its own but can be
effective if cortisone cream is used 30 minutes after the application
of Minoxidil.
Anthralin cream or ointment
This tar like synthetic substance
was developed to treat psoriasis. Topically applied to the bald
patches, then removed within 60 minutes; brown discoloration
can occur and can be irritating to the skin.
Alopecia Areata Totalis and
Alopecia Areata Universalis (Hair loss over 50%)
In some cases the hair loss on the scalp is total; in other cases
all body hair is lost. For these cases the treatment options
are more limited.
Cortisone Pills
Cortisone taken internally is
stronger than the injection application. There are side effects,
the prevent cortisone pills from being used in alopecia areata
patients and hair loss may return if the cortisone pills are
stopped.
Topical Immunotherapy
An allergic reaction is created
on the skin with using chemical application; the reaction will
resemble poison ivy. 40% of patients undergoing this treatment
will regrow hair within 6 months.
References:
- National Institute of Arthritis,
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases online @ http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Alopecia_Areata/alopecia_areata_ff.asp
National Alopecia Areata Foundation online @ http://www.naaf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_alopecia_intro
National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
online @ http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Alopecia_Areata/alopecia_areata_ff.asp
- National Institute of Arthritis,
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases online @ http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Alopecia_Areata/alopecia_areata_ff.asp
National Alopecia Areata Foundation online @ http://www.naaf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_alopecia_intro
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