HAIR LOSS
Definition
Scarring - (Loss of hair follicles). Cutaneous
lupus erythematosus and fungal kerions are the most prevalent forms of scarring
alopecia, which causes permanent hair loss.
Nonscarring - (The hair follicles are still present).
Alopeaia areata is this type, which is an autoimmune process but the cause is unknown.
Since the hair follicles still exist, it is often reversible. It However, it can
develop into the scarring type.
Causes
- Stress, illness or surgery, prolonged fever, childbirth, emotional (psychological
stress), crash dieting, etc.
- Hormonal problems, hyper or hypo-thyroid hormone
- Some medications
- Allergic reaction to medications
- Radiation Therapy
- Infections: Fungal infections, Syphilis, HIV, Herpes simplex
- Autoimmune disorders
- Systemic and discoid lupus erythematosus
- Anemia
- Hair pulled too tightly by hair rollers, pigtails, and cornrows
- Twisting and pulling hair out due to psychiatric problems
- Genes
Risk Factor
Family history of baldness or hair loss, Advancing age (for male-pattern baldness
only), pregnancy, stress, poor nutrition.
Symptoms
Alopecia symptoms depend on the type of hair loss. Some of more the common symptoms
include: Hair recedes, hair falls out at the top of the head, hair thins, and gradual
shedding and hair come out with gentle pulling. The common symptoms of Alopecia
Areata are rapid hair loss, round or oval patches of hair loss and sometimes brittle
and discolored fingernails and toenails with ridges.
Diagnosis
Physical examination and some tests may be needed, such as, tugging on the hair,
biopsy of the scalp, checking hair loss on other parts of the body, and blood test
to identify underlying conditions that may cause the hair loss.
Treatment
Treatments include:
- Medication, anti-fungal shampoos, steroid injection. Lifestyle changes: Be gentle
with your hair, learn and practice to control your stress. Surgery:
- Hair transplant: Taking hair from the back and side of the head and transplanting
in bald areas.
- Scalp reduction with flaps: Cutting the scalp and pulling the areas with hair closer
together.