Alopecia-Areata
Alopecia areata is one type of hair loss that typically causes patches of baldness. In some cases, total baldness develops. In many cases, the hair re-grows, typically after several months. In some cases, the hair loss is permanent. Treatments to promote hair re-growth work in some cases Alopecia areata can occur at any age but most cases first develop in teenagers and children. At least half of the people with alopecia areata develop their first patch of hair loss before they are 21. Males and females are equally affected. The condition tends to be milder when it first develops at an older age. Apart from the bald patch or patches, the scalp usually looks healthy and there is no scarring.in use.
Alopecia areata is believed to be an autoimmune disease resulting from a breach in the immune privilege of the hair follicles. Risk factors include a family history of the condition.Among identical twins if one is affected the other has about a 50% chance of also being affected.The underlying mechanism involves failure by the body to recognize its own cells with subsequent immune mediated destruction of the hair follicle. There is no cure for the condition.Efforts may be used to try to speed hair regrowth such as cortisone injections.Sunscreen, head coverings to protect from cold and sun, and glasses if the eyelashes are missing is recommended.In some cases the hair regrows and the condition does not reoccur.In others hair loss and regrowth occurs over years. Among those in whom all body hair is lost less than 10% recover.
What are the signs and symptoms of the alopecia areata?
The most common pattern is one or more well-defined spots of hair loss on the scalp. If alopecia occurs in an ophiasis pattern (hair loss involving the temporal and posterior scalp) or if large areas of the scalp are involved for long periods of time, the prognosis is worse. A more generalized form of hair loss is referred to as diffuse alopecia areata where there is widespread dramatic thinning of the scalp hair. Occasionally, all of the scalp hair is entirely lost, a condition referred to as alopecia totalis. Less frequently, the loss of all of the hairs on the entire body, called alopecia universalis, occurs
The area of hair loss may tingle or be painful.The hair tends to fall out over a short period of time, with the loss commonly occurring more on one side of the scalp than the other.
Exclamation point hairs, narrower along the length of the strand closer to the base, producing a characteristic “exclamation point” appearance, are often present.These hairs are very short (3–4 mm) and can be seen surrounding the bald patches.
