Alopecia Areata: Understanding the Science Behind the Condition

An autoimmune disorder is an issue caused when the body starts to act against its normal course. In this disorder, the white cells start to believe that these hair follicles are infected and they have to damage them to curb this disorder. For Alopecia Areata patients, the body starts to attack the hair follicles responsible for hair loss. This results into the uprooting of these hair follicles, causing the falling of chunks of hair.

At Hair MD, we pay special attention to the patient’s medical history and then undertake a physical examination to make a diagnosis. We ask the patient questions about hair loss, the pattern that it occurs in, and then analyze the hair scalp.

Most doctors follow the same procedure but if they fail to diagnose the right cause, then they will ask you to do the following tests to be sure:

• • A Hair Analysis might be undertaken by taking a sample, which will be examined under a microscope.
  • Some blood tests to eliminate the possibility of other causes such as thyroid, etc.

The most obvious symptom of Alopecia Areata is Hair Loss. It is basically a condition when hair starts to shed out in round patches. These patches usually do not have a high area in terms of centimeters. The other symptom is when hair loss starts to occur in other body parts too.

You will start noticing hair in the shower and on your pillow. But, hair loss is caused by a plethora of other diseases, so it is not the only symptom for Alopecia Areata. If you see a lot more extensive hair loss, then you may suffer from other types of Alopecia as well.

The other types are:

• • Alopecia Totalis – In this case, the hair occurs throughout the scalp and you end up losing hair all across the scalp.
  • Alopecia Universalis – In Alopecia Universalis, the patient suffers from hair loss all over the body.

Even though it is not a part of Alopecia Areata, you may suffer from Tinea Capitis too. It is a ringworm of the scalp which is caused by a fungal infection.

As per the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, there are a plethora of treatments available for Alopecia Areata. Most hair grows back in a year, so most patients do not undergo serious treatment. Not all patients benefit from the same treatment- it depends on their age, the type of Alopecia and many other factors. Some treatments available with HairMD are:

• • Intralesional Corticosteroid Injections
  • Topical Minoxidil
  • Anthralin Cream or Ointment
  • Topical corticosteroids
  • Hair plugs

We understand that suffering from Alopecia can be an emotionally taxing time for the patients. But, do not be disheartened and go for counseling. With the right treatment, you can easily fight your battle against Alopecia Areata.

In conclusion, while alopecia areata can feel like a life-altering condition, it’s important to remember that it is not a curse. With advancements in medical science, treatments are available to help manage symptoms and promote hair regrowth. Understanding that the body’s immune system mistakenly targets hair follicles offers hope and guidance on how to approach treatment. Support from specialists and emotional care is key to managing this journey.