Alopecia Types, Causes, And Treatment; Is It Permanent?
Alopecia is not a laughing matter. This disease has affected 7 million people in the United States. We all must know about alopecia so that when there's talk about such a sensitive issue, women feel encouraged and praised for managing devastating alopecia gracefully rather than feeling uncomfortable. So, let's start.
Alopecia:
Alopecia is a medical term used to refer to any type of noticeable hair loss.
It can affect any person at any age and happen for various reasons. Alopecia can affect the head only or the entire body.
Let's start knowing about each type of alopecia and get crucial info about them.
Types of Alopecia:
1. Androgenetic alopecia:
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the pattern-baldness in men and women. The aberration or irregularity in normal hair growth causes this to happen.
1.1 Causes of androgenetic alopecia:
Androgenetic alopecia happens because of stress, genes, and hormones. In women, it happens because of ovarian cysts, pregnancy, menopause, and taking birth control pills.
1.2 Treatment of androgenetic alopecia:
Androgenetic alopecia treatment is possible from minoxidil, finasteride, and platelet-rich plasma.
1.3 Is androgenetic alopecia permanent?
No, it's not until it is not severe. Hair loss duration in androgenetic alopecia is 6 to 18 months.
2. Alopecia Areata:
Alopecia areata is patchy baldness that can show up at any part of the body or head. It happens because of an auto-immune disorder.
2.1 Causes of Alopecia Areata:
Alopecia Areata happens because of an auto-immune disorder. A condition where the body's immune system starts attacking its healthy cells (including hair follicles), considering them as foreign cells.
2.2 Treatment of Alopecia Areata:
Treatment for alopecia areata includes chemicals, topical medications (applied by a dermatologist), and steroid shots.
2.3 Is Alopecia Areata Permanent?
Hair loss from alopecia areata can grow back on its own even without treatment. If it happens, hair will take several years to grow and can fall again.
3. Alopecia Totalis:
Alopecia Totalis is a skin condition that causes complete hair loss over the entire body (including the head).
3.1 Causes of Alopecia Totalis:
According to NIH, the exact condition of Alopecia Totalis is unknown. It is thought to be the same as the cause of hair loss in alopecia areata, an auto-immune disorder.
3.2 Treatment of Alopecia Totalis:
In severe Alopecia Totalis, methotrexate or prednisone therapies are helpful to treat it.
3.3 Is Alopecia Totalis Permanent?
Because of the uncertainty of what Alopecia Totalis causes to happen, no one can tell if it will be temporary or permanent.
4. Traction Alopecia:
Traction alopecia develops over time due to constant pulling or tension at the scalp for a prolonged period.
4.1 Causes of Traction Alopecia:
It happens because of tight small braids, tight buns, and ponytails. (Any hairstyle causes pulling tension at the hair roots.)
4.2 Treatment of Traction Alopecia:
Biotin supplements, minoxidil (Rogaine), topical steroids are used to treat traction alopecia. Antifungal shampoos and antibiotic shampoos can also treat it.
4.3 Is Traction Alopecia Permanent?
The traction alopecia issue is resolved in six months. If left untreated for one year, it can become permanent.
5. Cicatricial Alopecia
Cicatricial Alopecia refers to the scarring type of alopecia. It starts with inflammation that destroys the hair follicles. Then replace damaged hair follicles with scar tissues.
5.1 Causes of Cicatricial Alopecia:
Underlying auto-immune disorders like thyroid issues and vitiligo can cause cicatricial alopecia. Also, tight hairstyles can be the cause.
5.2 Treatment of Cicatricial Alopecia:
Antimicrobials, anti-inflammatory medications, and isotretinoin are used to treat cicatricial alopecia.
5.3 Is Cicatricial Alopecia Permanent?
Yes, cicatricial alopecia is permanent and not reversible.
Anyone can experience alopecia even just because of nutritional deficiencies like iron and Vitamin D. Before anyone stresses themselves, we suggest they visit their doctor. Maybe their alopecia is because of a minor problem that doctors can resolve efficiently.
6. What If hair doesn't grow from alopecia? Is there any alternative to getting hair back on the head?
Yes, there is. If hair loss is an emotional issue for someone, wigs are the best solution to hide alopecia until it is cured. Or one can choose to wear cute wigs to higher their self-esteem and confidence if their alopecia is permanent. But it needs to be high-quality so that it does not worsen the alopecia condition.
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