Hair Loss Risks and Treatments Related to Alopecia Areata

By: Jared Wright

Alopecia Aleata is a medical condition that can lead to hair loss in both women and men over all parts of the body. The four types of this disorder and other relevant information are revealed below.

What is alopecia areata?

The most common manifestation of this disorder results in a rapid amount of hair loss to the scalp, with the possibility of one side being more affected than the other.

Unlike male pattern baldness, which is genetic in origin, alopecia areata is due to a malfunction of the immune system. The immune system wages war on body cells, specifically the hair follicles, which results in inhibition of hair growth.

Types:

There is a difference in the types of alopecia areata, which include:

Diffuse Alopecia Areata - this will be indicated by hairless patches on the scalp.

Alopecia Totalis - Marked by complete balding

Alopecia Universalis - Total loss of hair all over the body

Alopecia Areata Barbe - Loss of facial hair

What are the risks?

The groups most at risk of this condition are younger populations - teens, adolescents and young adults. This condition is often confused with similar looking problems such as hair loss after pregnancy or after the end of Hormone Replacement Therapy.

The risk becomes greater in the presence of an autoimmune disorder.

About half of those with a diagnosis of alopecia areata will experience new hair growth in approximately twelve months without treatment. If loss of hair is prolonged the ability to regrow hair is diminished and most likely will be permanent.

How can it be treated?

There are a number of treatments available for alopecia areata designed to stop hair loss and stimulate hair regrowth. These treatments include:

Corticosteroid shampoos, use of steroidal drugs, topical treatment applications like oils, drops or creams.

Alopecia Areata medications include:

Cyclosporine, minoxidil and anthralin.

There may be a need to combine different treatments to solve the problem, depending on the severity and duration of the hair loss.

It is possible that a main component of alopecia areata is emotional stress. Many people afflicted with this condition have reported stressful events in their lives that precluded the hair loss. Any subsequent situation that involved stress resulted in hair loss as well.

Alopecia Areata can result in very rapid hair loss, with baldness being a risk if it is not treated quickly. You should consult with a doctor to determine the best treatment path possible.

Article Source: http://myartsubmit.com

Jared Wright is the marketing manager of Clivir.com where people meet to learn from one another on topics such as female hair loss. You can follow the links to find more related resources such as female thinning hair and hair loss in woman.