Symptoms of Alopecia Areata include hair loss, hair thinning, and patches of dry, brittle hair on the scalp. It’s a common medical condition that can be caused by a variety of factors. If left untreated, the condition can progress, causing permanent hair loss. There are treatments available, and it’s important to know what to expect.
Symptoms
Symptoms of alopecia areata vary among people, but they can include areas of hair loss on the scalp and other parts of the body. There is no known cause, but scientists think it may be linked to genetics.
In children, alopecia can also involve the eyelashes and eyebrows. There may also be nail defects. There is also a chance that the bald patches can develop into alopecia Universalis. This is a type of alopecia where all of the body hair falls out. This type of alopecia can affect adults as well.
Alopecia is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the body’s own hair follicles. This attack causes a dramatic slowdown in production. The hair is then broken before reaching the skin’s surface.
Depending on the type of alopecia areata, the hair may grow back within a few months. It may also stop growing at all. This can cause some people to feel distressed.
People of all races and ages can develop alopecia. This condition can be particularly common in women and in African American women. It is also very common in children. It usually begins as patches on the scalp. The patches may contain short, white hairs or patches with a peach or yellow color.
Alopecia is not contagious. The risk of having it increases if you have a family history of alopecia areata. You also have a greater chance of developing the condition if you have a genetic predisposition for autoimmune diseases. You may also be at higher risk if you have rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, or lupus.
The most common symptom of alopecia areata is the bald patches that appear on the scalp. The patches may also include small, broken hairs around the edges. Some people may also experience regrowth of white hair.
There are no cures for alopecia areata, but you can find treatments that can help you speed the regrowth of your hair. You may also be encouraged to use wigs or other creative solutions to cope with the condition. You should also check with your doctor for other autoimmune diseases. You may also need blood tests to rule out thyroid conditions and other health issues.
Causes
Various studies have discovered that certain people are more prone to the onset of autoimmune diseases, including alopecia areata. These people may have had a family history of the disease or they may have been exposed to certain environmental factors.
Researchers do not understand exactly what causes alopecia areata, but they believe that it’s caused by an attack on the body’s immune system. The immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, causing inflammation. This results in the hair follicles being uprooted and hair loss. This condition is usually non-scarring, and the hair will regrow within a few months.
Studies have also discovered that alopecia areata is more common in certain people, such as Black and Hispanic people. The cause of the disease is still unknown, but some scientists believe that there is a genetic predisposition.
Other research has linked alopecia areata to toxic chemicals, microbes, and diet. These findings have not been tested in clinical trials. However, they may help researchers determine if there is an environmental cause for the condition.
Some researchers suggest that extreme stress may trigger alopecia areata. Stress may result in a hormonal imbalance, which is believed to cause the immune system to attack the hair follicles.
Other studies have linked certain allergic conditions to alopecia areata. Researchers also believe that certain drugs, hormones, and microorganisms may contribute to alopecia areata.
Scientists have identified several genes that may contribute to alopecia areata. These genes may be linked to the human leukocyte antigen complex, which helps the body distinguish healthy cells from invasive cells. The complex also appears to be the cause of vitiligo, a condition in which white patches appear on the body.
Alopecia areata can cause total hair loss on the scalp, and sometimes in other parts of the body. Other symptoms include hair loss in the eyebrows, eyelashes, and beard.
The condition can be hard to live with, and it can have a negative impact on self-esteem. It can also cause anxiety. It is important to seek treatment from an experienced dermatologist or endocrinologist if you suspect you may have alopecia areata.
Treatment options
AA (Alopecia Areata) is a disease of the immune system that attacks the hair follicles in the body. The disease is characterized by well-defined round or oval patches of hair loss. It can occur at any age. AA is more common in people with a family history of autoimmune conditions. There are several treatment options available for AA.
Injectable and topical corticosteroids are the most common treatment for AA. These treatments are usually administered by a dermatologist. Unlike systemic treatments, topical corticosteroids are not associated with severe side effects. They are usually repeated every four to six weeks.
For more advanced cases of alopecia, oral medications may be prescribed. These include spirocyclic, fenofibrate, and pyrimethamine. Some of these medications have been studied in clinical trials to evaluate their effectiveness and safety.
Topical immunotherapy is also an option for some patients. This treatment is applied to the scalp to treat alopecia totalis or alopecia Universalis. The chemicals used in topical immunotherapy may cause allergic contact dermatitis.
Other therapeutic options for AA include laser treatments, phototherapy, and oral medications. The choice of treatment depends on the extent of the disease, the age of the patient, and the physician’s preferences.
The most commonly used treatment for AA is intralesional corticosteroid injections. These injections have been used for over 50 years, and are considered safe for children with localized AA. It is important to use corticosteroids with extreme caution in children.
Topical corticosteroids are also used to treat milder forms of AA. These medications come in several different preparations and are usually applied to the affected area every day. These medications come in different strengths and are often used in combination with oral medications.
Other medications used to treat AA include Baricitinib, an inhibitor of the Janus kinase (JAK) enzyme. It received FDA approval to treat severe cases of AA.
Although AA is a very challenging autoimmune disease, research is underway to find a cure. The goal of treatment is to control remissions and prevent new hair loss. There are also treatments available for AA that are based on clinical trials.
Diagnosis
Generally, the diagnosis of alopecia areata is quick and easy. The doctor may examine the bald patches with a microscope. If the doctor is not sure about the diagnosis, a scalp biopsy is usually performed.
In addition, a general practitioner may order basic laboratory investigations to confirm alopecia. These can include a blood test to rule out other autoimmune diseases. A fungal culture may also be done to confirm the presence of tinea capitis.
A scalp biopsy may also be performed to rule out other conditions. The procedure is traumatic for children, so a referral to a dermatologist is necessary. In most cases, the biopsy is unnecessary.
To determine whether alopecia is acquired or congenital, the doctor must consider the duration of hair loss. This information will help to differentiate acute from chronic alopecia.
Alopecia areata is associated with thyroid disease, non-dermatologic disorders, and autoimmune disorders. Patients also have higher levels of anxiety and stress.
Alopecia areata is more common in females than males. Alopecia is common in children. Pediatric alopecia may be focal, patterned, or diffuse. Pediatric alopecia can also be congenital or acquired. The most common cause of pediatric alopecia is tinea capitis.
Alopecia areata is usually diagnosed after months of distress over hair loss. If a healthcare provider suspects alopecia, he or she will conduct a systematic examination and refer the patient to a dermatologist.
The dermatologist can also diagnose and treat alopecia areata if the healthcare provider is unsure about the diagnosis. A doctor can also perform a hair pull test to determine active hair shedding. The doctor will pull 50 hairs from the surface of the skin. This test requires consistent pressure from the proximal to distal ends of the hairs.
A healthcare provider may order blood tests to rule out other autoimmune conditions. The tests may depend on the specific disorder. The tests may also include a potassium hydroxide preparation to diagnose syphilis.
The primary care physician coordinates care from different health care providers. These healthcare providers may prescribe hats and wigs. He or she will also treat other problems as they arise.
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