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Alopecia
Areata
A look at the causes and the only proven treatments for Alopecia
areata, a condition characterized by patchy scalp hair loss.
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If you or a loved one is suffering from Alopecia Areata, it is
important that you educate yourself on the condition. We have all the
important information here.
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Alopecia Areata
The name of a condition with several forms ranging from a
single patch (Alopecia areata) to total body hair loss (Alopecia
Universalis), the general form of Alopecia Areata has two
typical types: Type one resulting in less than 50% hair loss,
and type two resulting in more than 50% loss.
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Alopecia
Areata - an Overview
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A sudden patchy loss of hair may be due to the condition known
as Alopecia Areata. This condition is relatively common, and as many as
1 in 1,000 people may suffer from it at some time. The cause is unknown
and occasionally it becomes very widespread and severe.
The causes can be numerous, but the good news is that it is many times
due to an imbalance in the person's system, which if rectified, will result
in complete regrowth of hair. An effective set of blood tests is necessary
to reveal any imbalances. Some of the most common causes are medications,
pregnancy, birth control pills, thyroid malfunctions, anemia, syphilis,
and arthritis. Whatever the cause may be, the body's response is to initiate
an autoimmune response, whereby the body perceives the
follicles as foreign objects, and attempts to reject them from the system.
A careful review of your medical history and the bloodwork we outline
below should help identify the problem.
With Alopecia areata, usually, given time, the hair reappears on its own,
although in persistent cases, steroid injections may help. Sometimes the
condition becomes severe or recurrent, and the patient may even lose eyebrows
and lashes (Alopecia Totalis) or all
body hair (Alopecia Universalis).
Overall, 50% of people experiencing AA before puberty will have more troubles
with this condition throughout life.
There is no treatment which can provide a total cure for severe Alopecia
Areata. A multifaceted approach has included the use of irritants such
as dithranol and systemic steroids. Treatment with immune enhancers is
occasionally useful but can cause unpleasant side-effects. Topical Minoxidil
with or without oral steroids for short periods has been used. Cyclosporin
may have dramatic effects but they are usually temporary. In deciding
how to treat Alopecia Areata, the age of onset and severity are key factors.
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Diagnosing
Alopecia Areata
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In order to accurately diagnose this condition, two things are
needed: An educated physician, blood tests, and a brief clinical history.
Finding a Doctor: The American Academy
of Dermatology has a Physician
Referral Service. There you can type in your city and see a list of
dermatologists in your area. Click each name and find the section labeled
"Specialties". If Alopecia or Hair Loss is not listed verbatim,
read through the rest of their profile and see if it is mentioned. If
you are unable to find a specialist in your area, make use of the AAD's
more broad Statewide
Search. You will be presented with all the registered Dermatologists
in your state by City. Some have profiles, some don't, but all have contact
information. It is worth the work to print out a list and call them one
by one, and inquire as to the physicians experience with Alopecia Areata.
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Hair
Loss Video Webcast |
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Blood Tests:
There are a series of tests that an educated specialist will have done
on you. Without these tests, there is no way for any physician to accurately
diagnose your condition. If your physician says these tests are not
necessary, or refuses to do them for you, then it is advised that you
find another physician to handle your situation. We cannot stress this
strongly enough. You need to have these tests done, and you need a qualified
specialist to review them, and your scalp, in order to get the care
you need. The reason is simple. Cortizone injections or Rogaine may
help the problem in the meantime, but if there is an underlying cause,
your hair loss will not stop until that has been rectified. The tests
are as follows:
» Hormone levels (DHEAS, Testosterone, Androstenedione,
Prolactin, Follicular Stimulating Hormone, and Leutinizing Hormone)
» Serum Iron, Serum Ferritin, TIBC (Total Iron Binding
capacity)
» Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
» VDRL
» Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Clinical History: Take a
moment and write down the answers to the following questions, and have
them prepared for your physician's review. Again, if he or she does
not request the answers to these questions, nor seem interested in the
paper you've brought in, find another specialist.
» Are you on any medications?
If so, what.
» How long has this problem been occurring?
» Is the hair falling out fully intact, or is it breaking?
» Family history of diabetes, asthma, arthritis, lupus,
vitiligo, anemia, or Addison's disease?
» Have you recently given birth, or gone through menopause?
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Treatment's
for Alopecia Areata
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The mindset on treatment of Alopecia Areata is simply: Stimulate
hair growth until your hair begins to grow again on its own. If your
bloodwork revealed no obvious cause, then you will need to maintain
the following treatments until the condition reverses itself. If there
is a definite cause and you've rectified the problem, you may need to
maintain these treatments for a year or so before your body can take
over on its own. Treatment is dependent upon which type of AA you have.
The mild type resulting in less than 50% loss of hair, or the more extensive
type resulting in greater than 50% loss.
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Treatments for
Alopecia Areata
Mild
Alopecia Areata: Please be advised that these treatments
are only recommended after complete bloodwork has been done,
and with the consent of your physician.
» Cortizone Injections administered by physician
into patchy areas of scalp.
» 5% Minoxidil applied twice daily. Please note
that there is a slight risk of initial shedding caused by
minoxidil.
» Anthralin Cream or ointment.
Extensive Alopecia Areata: Please be advised that
these treatments are only recommended after complete bloodwork
has been done, and with the consent of your physician.
» Cortizone Pills. Only take
with consent of physician. Potential side effects.
» 5% Minoxidil applied twice daily. Please note
that there is a slight risk of initial shedding.
» Topical Immunotherapy. Diphencyprone (DPCP)
or Squaric Acid Dibutyl Ester (SADBE). This treatment "agitates"
follicles into growth by causing a localized allergic reaction.
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Please note that all treatments mentioned above must be continued
regularly until hair growth occurs, and even after it occurs in order
to maintain it. The best and most effective way to treat Alopecia Areata
is to have the extensive blood work done and treat it at the root of
the cause.
For a more in-depth look at the nature of Alopecia Areata,
please visit the following: NIH
Review - Alopecia Universalis Congenital.
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Alopecia
Areata - Recommended Resources |
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