All About Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is when hair starts falling out due to the immune system attacking the hair follicles. The hair fall due to alopecia areata occurs very suddenly on both the scalp as well as other parts of the body. Alopecia does not usually result in complete baldness nor does it always prevent hair from growing back. However, the exact amount of hair loss and the amount of hair that grows back varies from person to person. Alopecia areata cannot be cured either. However, treatments are available which prevent hair from falling out as well as those which stimulate hair growth. Here is everything you need to know about alopecia areata:

Causes: Alopecia areata is a type of an autoimmune disease. This is the sole cause of alopecia areata. An autoimmune disease is when your immune system targets cells in your own body instead of invading pathogens. In this case, the immune system attacks hair follicles which causes them to fall out.

Symptoms: The only symptom for alopecia areata is extensive hair loss. It happens very suddenly and unexpectedly. However, the extent of the hair loss and hair growth does vary greatly from person to person as mentioned earlier. However, sometimes doctors have to do a lot more tests to diagnose alopecia areata.

Diagnosis: Usually, just looking at hair is enough to diagnose alopecia areata. However, a doctor sometimes performs more tests to make sure the diagnosis is correct.

1. Scalp biopsy: A scalp biopsy is when a small part of the scalp is removed so that it can be taken to the lab and analyzed. Once it has been analyzed, it can be confirmed that you have alopecia areata.
2. Blood test: Depending on which type of disorder your doctor suspects you have, he or she will analyze the blood for that disorder and once that disorder is ruled out, he will confirm that you have alopecia areata.

Treatment

1. Medications: Medications such as corticosteroid creams can be given so that hair growth can be stimulated.
2. Radiation therapy: There is a radiation therapy which uses a combination of ultraviolet light and oral medication to promote hair growth.
3. Other methods: Acupuncture, vitamins, and herbal supplements are some other ways of promoting hair growth and treating alopecia areata.