Each type is characterized by the extent of hair loss and other symptoms you may be experiencing. Each type may also have a slightly different treatment and prognosis. The main characteristic of this type of alopecia areata is one or more coin-sized patches of hair loss on the skin or body. If this condition expands, it may become alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis. In addition to losing hair on the scalp, people with this type of alopecia areata also lose all hair on the face — eyebrows and eyelashes.
Diffuse alopecia areata may look a lot like female- or male-pattern hair loss. It results in sudden and unexpected thinning of hair all over the scalp, not in just one area or patch. Hair loss that follows a band along the sides and lower back of the scalp is called ophiasis alopecia. Once you develop this autoimmune condition, you may live with bouts of hair loss and other related symptoms for the rest of your life. Some people, however, may experience hair loss just once.
The same variation applies to recovery: Some people will experience full regrowth of hair. Others may not. They may even experience additional hair loss. Alopecia areata can be emotionally challenging, especially when hair loss affects the whole scalp.
People with the condition may feel isolated or become depressed. There are lifestyle changes you can make to help cope with the condition. New wig technologies, like the vacuum wig , which is made from silicon and a suction base, mean that people with alopecia can even swim with their wigs still in place.
Vacuum wigs, however, are typically more expensive. If hair loss affects the eyebrows, an eyebrow pencil , microblading, and eyebrow tattoos are a few options to consider. A doctor may be able to diagnose alopecia areata simply by looking at the extent of your hair loss and by examining a few hair samples under a microscope.
Your doctor may also perform a scalp biopsy to rule out other conditions that cause hair loss, including fungal infections like tinea capitis. During a scalp biopsy, your doctor will remove a small piece of skin on your scalp for analysis.
The specific blood test performed depends on the particular disorder the doctor suspects. However, a doctor will likely test for the presence of one or more abnormal antibodies.
If these antibodies are found in your blood, it usually means that you have an autoimmune disorder. Foods with sugar, processed snacks, and alcohol may increase inflammation and irritation within the body. This type of eating plan is designed to help reduce the autoimmune response in the body and decrease the chances of another hair loss episode or further hair loss. To do that, you eat foods that are known to ease the inflammation process. The foundational foods of this diet, also known as the autoimmune protocol, are fruits and vegetables like blueberries, nuts, seeds, broccoli, beets, and lean meats like wild-caught salmon.
Corticosteroid injections, like all treatments for alopecia areata, do not prevent new hair loss from developing. However, these usually improve with time. This medication is considered easy to use and has minimal side effects. Topical minoxidil is not considered effective on its own in treating patients with extensive hair loss.
This synthetic, tar-like substance — also widely used for psoriasis — is a common form of treatment for alopecia areata.
Anthralin is applied to the hairless patches once a day and then washed off typically after a short time usually minutes later or in some cases, after several hours. If new hair growth from anthralin application happens, it is usually visible within eight to 12 weeks. In alopecia areata, corticosteroids are thought to decrease the inflammation around the hair follicle.
Topical steroids can come in different brands, strengths and preparations, such as solutions, lotions, foams, creams, or ointments. Studies have shown that there is a reduction of hair loss when using topical steroids.
They can be good adjunct medications especially when treating children with alopecia areata. Alopecia areata products and accessories that make a dfference. There are many therapies which can offer benefits for someone with alopecia areata, however there is no single option proven to work for everyone. Some people with alopecia areata may choose accessories, wigs, or cosmetic alternatives to address their hair loss, while others opt not to cover affected areas.
Corticosteroids taken in the form of a pill are sometimes prescribed for extensive scalp hair loss to try to suppress disease activity and regrow hair. Doctors usually see if you have the disease by: Looking at the areas where the hair has been lost and at your nails.
Looking at your hair and hair follicle openings. Asking about your medical and family history. Ordering blood tests or other lab tests. How is it treated? How is alopecia areata treated? Who treats it? Who treats alopecia areata? Alopecia areata is treated by: Dermatologists, who specialize in conditions of the skin, hair, and nails. Other specialists who may be involved in your care include: Mental health professionals, who can help with the psychosocial challenges caused by having a medical condition.
Primary care doctors, such as family physicians or internal medicine specialists, who coordinate care between the different health providers and treat other problems as they arise. Living With. Living with alopecia areata Alopecia areata may affect your sense of well-being. There are many things you can do to cope with the effects of this disease, including: Get support.
Learn as much as you can about the disease, and talk with others who are dealing with it. Visit a mental health professional if you experience higher levels of stress, depression, or anxiety.
Protect bare skin and stay comfortable. Use sunscreens for any bare areas. Wear wigs, hairpieces, hats, or scarves to protect your scalp from the sun and to keep your head warm. Wear eyeglasses or sunglasses to protect your eyes from sun and dust if you have lost hair from your eyebrows or eyelashes. Consider cosmetic solutions. Injections are generally given every one to two months.
To minimize any discomfort from the needle stick, your dermatologist may apply a numbing cream to the skin prior to the injection. Topical Corticosteroids. Topical corticosteroids come in different strengths and preparations, such as solutions, creams, lotion, foams, ointments, and shampoos. They are often applied daily to the area of hair loss and used for patients with patchy alopecia areata who cannot tolerate injected corticosteroids.
Oral Corticosteroids. Prolonged corticosteroid use is not advised due to the risk of serious, sometimes irreversible, side effects. Topical immunotherapy is sometimes used to treat extensive cases of alopecia areata. These chemicals essentially create a mild allergic rash on the skin which is believed to alter a person's immune response to the hair follicles.
Redness and itching at the site of application are common. Hair regrowth is expected to occur within three to six months of beginning treatment, but it can take up to 12 months. Treatment is continued every week until the hair is re-grown. Once the hair is re-grown and the treatment is stopped, patients are monitored for a recurrence of hair loss. If that occurs, patients may benefit from re-starting therapy.
For some patients, continuing topical immunotherapy may be recommended to maintain hair regrowth. Anthralin is a tar-like substance available as a cream or ointment.
It was one of the first medications used for psoriasis. For alopecia areata, it is applied daily to hairless patches, left on for around 30 minutes, and then washed off. Hair regrowth may occur within two to three months of beginning treatment.
Methotrexate or cyclosporine are two examples. Rogaine, which is minoxidil that gets applied to the skin, works by both improving blood flow to the hair follicles and increasing their growth phase. It is available over the counter in a solution or foam formulation, and is usually applied to the scalp twice daily. Rogaine is only effective in people with early or patchy hair loss, and it takes up to six months to see results.
On the plus side, Rogaine has minimal side effects and may be combined with topical steroids for improved outcomes. Various medications may be used to manage alopecia areata. Topical or injectable corticosteroids, Rogaine, or some combination are commonly used for patchy hair loss. Therapies, like oral corticosteroids or topical immunotherapy, are reserved for more severe cases.
Most studies examining the benefit of CAM therapies for alopecia areata are, unfortunately, not well-designed or reveal conflicting results. It's still reasonable, though, to consider trying out a CAM treatment option with your healthcare provider's OK.
While not a complete list, here are some CAM remedies that have at least some scientific evidence, albeit limited, for hair regrowth in alopecia areata. In one study, participants with alopecia areata were taught by a trained aromatherapist to perform nightly scalp massages using one of two combinations of oils:. Photographs of the participants' scalps were taken at the start of the study and after three and seven months of treatment.
The photographs were assessed for hair growth and scored by two dermatologists. Results revealed that those who underwent the essential oil aromatherapy massages had a meaningful improvement in hair growth compared to the control group. The relative lack of improvement in hair growth in the control group suggests that simply massaging the scalp is not useful for treating alopecia areata.
Garlic extract may promote hair growth by tamping down inflammation and altering how a person's immune system works. One study found that combining a garlic-containing gel with topical steroids was more beneficial in treating alopecia areata than using topical steroids alone.
Extracts from the root of the Peony plant and the licorice plant are traditional Chinese medical therapies that have been found to improve mild and moderate alopecia areata in adults and severe alopecia areata in children. These plant extracts—specifically compound glycyrrhizin tablets CGT and total glucosides of peony capsules TGPC —are believed to prevent hair loss by reducing inflammation and suppressing a person's immune system response.
Since hair loss in alopecia areata may be triggered by stress, undergoing hypnosis to help reduce stress is considered by some experts to be a reasonable complementary therapy. During hypnosis, a trained mental health professional or therapist guides you into a trance-like state of consciousness.
As a result, you have a heightened ability to concentrate and are more responsive to therapeutic suggestions.
0コメント