Alopecia is a condition in which hair on the scalp or body does not grow. This problem can affect both men and women. However, it occurs more often in males. The hair loss is permanent. Nevertheless, it may come and go over time. One of the most common forms of hairlessness is androgenetic alopecia. It is also known as male pattern baldness. This form of loss of hair occurs when the body produces too much of the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which causes follicles to shrink and eventually disappear.
DHT levels surge during puberty and continue to rise until about age 30 when they begin to decline naturally. DHT isn’t the only cause of loss of hair. However, it’s the most common one for men with male-pattern baldness.
Causes that lead to hairlessness
Hair loss can result due to many different things, including the following-
- Autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
- Hormonal imbalances such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism
- Infections like ringworm or fungal infections
- Some medications (including chemotherapy)
- Stress and other psychological conditions
- Trauma to the scalp
- Family history of baldness (genetic predisposition)
Types of hair loss
There are several types of alopecia. They vary in severity and can be temporary or permanent. Some of the common types of hair loss are as follows-
Alopecia areata
It is the most common form and usually affects children and young adults. It causes patches of hair loss on the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes. The patches can be round or oval. Moreover, they may join together with time to form a larger bald patch. In some cases, only a few hairs fall at first, but more break off later on. This hair fall can last for weeks or months before it gets better. However, it becomes permanent if not treated appropriately in some people.
Alopecia totalis
It is similar to alopecia areata. However, this type only affects the scalp leaving no hair anywhere else on the body. It is unlike Alopecia Universalis, which affects other parts of the body too). It’s less common than alopecia areata. Moreover, this problem tends to affect older adults who have had long-term problems with their immune system or skin conditions, such as psoriasis or eczema.
Telogen effluvium
This type of hair loss occurs when the normal shedding of old hair gears up due to an event such as illness, childbirth, or stress. Telogen effluvium usually occurs suddenly and lasts for only a few months.
Androgenetic alopecia
It occurs as men age when they develop smaller amounts of testosterone. Eventually, they lose their hair earlier than male relatives who don’t have the same gene mutation.
Aphthous stomatitis
These are small sores that appear on the mouth or lips due to poor oral hygiene or eating certain foods. These foods may include strawberries, which have high salicylate content.
Medications for hair loss
Several medications can help treat alopecia. In general, these medications work by-
- Increasing the number of hair follicles
- Affecting the hair growth cycle
Some of the most common treatments are-
Minoxidil (Rogaine)
This medication is FDA-approved to treat male pattern baldness in men. It works by slowing down the rate of loss of hair and stimulating new hair growth in some people. You should use minoxidil continuously to let it work well. Women and children can also use this hair loss treatment. However, it will not regrow any lost hair in them.
Finasteride (Propecia)
This medication is FDA-approved for treating male pattern baldness in men. The exact mechanism of action is unknown. Nevertheless, it appears to block a hormone called DHT, which causes hair loss by shrinking the size of some cells in the scalp. These are called miniaturized follicles that makes it harder for them to produce new hair shafts. Therefore, it slows down or stops further hairlessness from occurring. Finasteride may also help with female pattern baldness as well. However, no studies are showing this yet, so it cannot be recommended at this time until more information becomes available regarding its effectiveness in treating female pattern.
Finasteride (Generic Propecia)
Different treatment options are available for people with alopecia areata, including medications and other therapies such as phototherapy (light therapy). If you have a mild form of hair loss, your doctor may recommend some lifestyle changes to help prevent further loss of hair. These include-
- Taking vitamins and minerals that contain biotin and zinc
- Using a shampoo with zinc pyrithione or selenium sulphide to help prevent dandruff
Avoiding harsh shampoos or colourings that can irritate your scalp and cause more inflammation
Taking anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce swelling on your scalp
If you think you might have alopecia areata, see your doctor for an evaluation and diagnosis.
Home remedies
Alopecia is a medical condition in which hair falls from the scalp. It can occur in both men and women. A variety of reasons can cause this condition. These include hormonal imbalances, stress, nutritional deficiency, genetics, and autoimmune disease. Nevertheless, you can use many home remedies to treat hairlessness. These include-
Coconut oil massage
Massaging your scalp with coconut oil helps to increase blood circulation in your scalp area. Moreover, it also stimulates hair growth as well. Coconut oil is one of the best natural home remedies for hair fall. You need to massage this oil into your scalp once every day for at least 15 minutes and then wash off with warm water afterward.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera gel has been used as a home remedy for several skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, and acne due to its antiseptic properties. Additionally, it also contains vitamins A and C, which help improve circulation in the scalp, stimulate new hair growth, and ease hair loss.
Apply aloe vera gel directly onto your scalp daily until you see results or consult a dermatologist. However, if no improvement occurs within two months of your treatment, you can reach out to your doctor.
Onion juice
Another effective home remedy for alopecia is onion juice. It helps in nourishing the roots of your hair follicles. As a result, it stimulates their growth more quickly than usual. You can use the onion should directly on your scalp twice daily until you see results. In addition, you can also mix it with honey and apply it regularly to stimulate the growth of new hairs.
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