Affecting millions of
Americans and steadily increasing on an annual term, Alopecia areata must be a
real cause of concern today.
This is also called
male pattern baldness or that predisposition of a man to hair thinning,
patching or complete baldness starting in small areas that gradually spread out
in time. It usually begins with a single round patch of lost hair while some
even experience nail problems too like pitting, shape changing and even falling
off!
When it spreads, it
can even attack areas aside from the scalp in the head, such as eyebrows,
mustache and armpits, or basically anywhere in the body where there's hair.
Unfortunately, this
condition doesn't have any effective cure, and the only way to treat it is to
manage it. One of the reasons why it's untreatable is because everything
depends on an individual's own immune system. Sometimes, hair loss may abruptly
stop so you'll see lost hair growing back again without even need for any
treatment. Some people who start medication may still get hair loss problems
despite the rigidity and daily intake of medicine or other forms of cure.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease which is defined as our own immune
system attacking our body instead of protecting it, but this time, in terms of
hair follicles. Thus, the unpredictability which makes it very difficult to
treat.
This disease is past
on for generations and those who contract it usually have a family member who
also had it. But do not fret, science has answers and it means you can live
your life beyond Alopecia areata.
Dermatologists will
usually either advice you to either conceal it or join support groups that will
help you run through this embarrassing phase in your life. Shaving, styling,
and wearing wig caps can be cost-effective methods to employ. But they can also
write prescribed drugs for you to use or intake. But always remember, these
cures aren't the be-all end-all of treatments as they're only devised to help
re-grow hair quickly [or address the signs and symptoms] and not actually get
rid of the condition altogether [root cause of the disease]. Like us on face book for current hair trends.
Most common among them
are corticosteroids. These are not the same as the steroids that make men buff,
rather these drugs help suppress the immune system. When done topically, it
usually targets the bald spots directly. Pill forms may have serious side
effects. Injections are the most common forms of administration for this cure.
Next in line is
Minoxidil which is always topical in nature although this treatment is no
longer effective for patients with 100% hair loss problems
Another concrete
Alopecia Areata solution is the Anthralin ointment. This is usually also always
topical in administration but users must wash it off right away to avoid
irritation due to excess exposure. It directly targets the skin's immune
function.
Most patients get a
mixture of treatments mentioned but it has to be remembered that most types of
cures are as follows: injection, topical and oral intake. At Shallamar's Hair Solutions we specialize in hair loss. Give us a call for a free consultation at 407 507 3000 to find out some treatment options for Alopecia Areata.
