Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks hair follicles which results in hair loss. “Alopecia” means hair loss/baldness and “areata” means small, random areas. Your immune system attacks your hair follicles because it basically assumes that they’re foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses, that could cause harm (like infection, illness, and disease). Finally, I know what you’re thinking- alopecia is not contagious at all.
Alopecia’s Nature and sits Symptoms
Alopecia can quite literally attack anyone. The age, gender, or race, have no relation to the patient. If the disease occurs when the patient is younger, it tends to be more progressive and extreme. Alopecia areata changes depending on the person. Some might experience hair loss their whole life, while some might only face it for a period of time. As Alopecia is an auto-immune disease it tends to attack people with a history of diabetes, lupus, and other weakening diseases. The disease also has been seen to correlate with patients who suffer from asthma and eczema. As the disease starts out, hair typically falls out in small, round patches. Most people with the disease are healthy and have no other symptoms. Some symptoms are allergic conditions such as fever, developing mouth-like openings in your hair follicles, and visible black dots in your hair follicles.
Classification of Alopecia
Alopecia areata has many classifications based on where and how much hair you've lost. Alopecia areata totalis is the loss of hair on your scalp. Alopecia areata universalis is the loss of all hair on your scalp and body hair. Diffuse alopecia is basically hair thinning. Lastly, ophiasis alopecia areata is the loss of a band of hair on the bottom back sides of your scalp (occipitotemporal scalp).
Cures
There is no cure for alopecia areata. Unfortunately, alopecia areata doesn’t go away, ever. Medications and other treatments help manage your hair loss, but they won’t cure the disease. To make things worse, alopecia areata totalis and alopecia areata universalis are more severe and less likely to respond to treatment.
Some sample treatments are corticosteroids (powerful anti-inflammatory drugs). These are used because they suppress the immune system. These can be taken local injections, application, or orally. Other medications that promote hair growth are Minoxidil, Anthralin, SADBE, and DPCP. These may help with the re-growth of hair but unfortunately can’t prevent any new patches from forming.
Prevention
There is not a definite way to prevent alopecia areata. However, you can take preventive measures for the general health of your immune and hair follicle health. Always wear sunscreen, and glasses to protect the eyes (from debris which would usually be the eyebrows and eyelashes’ job). Always wear headwear such as hats, wigs, and scarves to protect the head from the sun and keep your hair follicles warm.
Alopecia areata is a common disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks itself and directs itself to hair follicles; which then causes hair loss. Alopecia areata does not make people sick. It can, however, be difficult to adapt to emotionally.
References
“Alopecia Areata.” Cleveland Clinic, 9 Sept. 2024, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12423-alopecia-areata.
“Alopecia Areata.” National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 6 Sept. 2024, www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/alopecia-areata.
McIntosh, James. Treatments, Causes, and Signs of Alopecia Areata. 26 July 2024, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/70956#summary.
Written by Pooja Gopinathrao from MEDILOQUY