Alopecia Areata can be best described as an autoimmune disease resulting in hair loss from the:
• Scalp
• Face
• Eyebrows & eyelashes
• Other body parts
This disorder can develop in individuals of any age, ethnic groups, and sexes. However, symptoms first appear during childhood. It develops slowly and can recur after years. Put simply; hair loss is completely unpredictable. Sometimes the hair regrows without treatment, and it may or may not fall out again.
Statistics show that nearly 6.8 million individuals are affected by Alopecia Areata in the U.S., while approximately 147 million individuals have this problem worldwide.
At Holistic Aesthetics, we harness the power of regenerative therapy to improve hair regrowth and quality of life in patients
Types of Alopecia Areata
This condition has several types. They can be classified as the following:
No matter the type, this autoimmune disorder results in hair loss. Unfortunately, you can’t determine or predict the hair loss pattern, regrowth, and how long it will last.
What are the symptoms of Alopecia Areata?
Some of the most common symptoms or signs of Alopecia Areata are:
• Oval or round small hair loss patches on your scalp and other body parts like beard area and face.
• Unpredictable loss or regrowth or hair in different body areas that too, simultaneously
• Unbelievable loss of hair in a short timeframe
• Hair loss occurs on any side of your scalp
• Widening part
• Receding hairline
• Gradual hair thinning
• Changes in the fingernails such as:
– Pinpoint dents
-Nails become rough and lose shine
-Nails become thin and eventually split
-Nails develop lines and white spots
Other clinical symptoms of Alopecia Areata are:
• Exclamation mark hairs- this is when the short hairs get narrow from the bottom and grow around the bald spot edges.
• Cadaver hairs- When the hair breaks before it reaches the skin’s surface.
• White hair- You may get white hair in areas affected by hair loss.
Alopecia Areata Top Causes
Though the exact cause is still unknown, the condition is said to be caused by multiple factors. One of the factors that cause Alopecia Areata is a mistake made by the white blood cells.
With this condition, the immune system considers the body’s normal cells as foreign bodies and, therefore, attacks them. This causes the hair follicles to shrink or fall. Another factor for the cause of Alopecia Areata is a family history of autoimmune diseases. This means that you are likely to develop this condition if you have a family history of autoimmune disorders such as;
• Vitiligo
• Thyroiditis
• Hyperallergic
How is it diagnosed?
Schedule a consultation with an experienced medical professional for the Alopecia Areata diagnosis. The doctor may observe symptoms to determine the condition. They are likely to assess:
• The degree of hair loss
• Examine hairs from the affected area using a microscope
• In some situations, the doctor may also carry out a skin biopsy or a blood test as needed.
Can children inherit Alopecia Areata from their parents?
A child is at a higher risk of developing if a parent or their close blood relative has this condition. However, not every child will develop it.