Alopecia Hair Loss- Answers To Frequently Asked Questions
Two out of a hundred persons suffer with some form of alopecia hair loss according to various estimates. Some just have small bald patches, others have complete hair loss on the scalp. In extreme cases there can be a total absence of body hair.
The main questions many people ask about alopecia hair loss are considered here:
Just what is a definition of alopecia hair loss?
Alopecia is pronounced al-oh-PEE-shah with the emphasis on PEE, the third syllable. Alopecia specifically refers to “partial or complete hair loss.” Alopecia Areata is the full title and this is often followed by other words or phrases to indicate which part of the body is affected and to what extent.
Multilocularis: Bald spots on various parts of the head
Barbae: Bald patches only on the beard
Totalis: Hair loss affecting the head and scalp completely
Universalis: A total absence of body hair
How does a person develop Alopecia hair loss?
This condition is not limited to a particular segment of the population. It can affect males and females of all ages and races. Heredity can play a role it appears, as 20% of individuals with the condition have family members who suffer with alopecia hair loss.
Interestingly though, records show that the parents of most of the children who suffer with alopecia hair loss did not have it themselves. And the reverse is also true, the majority of children whose parents suffer with it did not have alopecia themselves.
Alopecia hair loss is not contagious. It is classified as an autoimmune diseases meaning the body’s natural defences can turn on itself. In this case, a virus or some other environmental factor, can trigger off the sequence of events which causes white blood cells to attack the cells in the hair follicle which cause hair to grow.
The big question – Will hair grow back?
It’s different in each case. Here is an overview of how a person might be affected:
Even though their is regrowth, the hair may fall out later
The hair loss only affects a few patches, and then grows again for good
Hair may fall out, regrow, fall out, regrow, and so on for many years
In most cases, the regrowth is the same color as the hair before
For a minority, the hair that comes back is white in color but then slowly returns to the original color
So what is the remedy for alopecia hair loss?
A variety of drugs are currently used which can have a positive effect on hair growth, although there is no ideal solution at this time. These include:
Minoxidil, also known as Rogaine, is an FDA approved drug which helps combat pattern hair loss in men and women
Corticosteroids – powerful drugs which have the effect of suppressing the immune system
Depending on the extent of the alopecia hair loss, there are different avenues open to cope with the change in a person’s appearance. Some use scarves, hats, clothing, cosmetics, jewelry, and other accessories to hide or divert attention from the hair loss. A very useful resource is the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (alopeciaareata.com) which puts alopecia sufferers in touch with each other through a network and message board arrangement so ideas and thoughts can be shared.
For answers to frequently asked questions about Minoxidil-Rogaine, click here: Rogaine Review? Develop a strategy for dealing with premature hair loss. Click here: Hair Loss Research
categories: alopecia,hair loss,health,men,women,mens issues
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