Alopecia
 Alopecia
is basically partial or complete hair loss that occurs not only
on the head, but also on the beard, eye brows and eyelashes.
It can happen to anyone; male or woman anywhere between childhood
to adulthood. However it is usually 70% of men and 40% of women
who suffer from alopecia sometime in their lives.
Alopecia is usually considered a man’s problem of balding
and thinning of hair. The hair loss here is gradual, and affects
the thinner, shorter and the less pigmented hair that is found
in the frontal and parietal parts of the scalp. Usually, male
pattern hair loss occurs because of genetic factors, and because
of the prolonged effect of testosterone hormones on the central
hair follicles.
Different forms of alopecia
There are different types of alopecia, where the most common
type is androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness. Next
in line is traction alopecia, which is usually found in women
who use tight hairstyles like braiding. It is the direction
of the braid or the hairstyle that decides the type of hair
loss. However, it is most noticed at the tightest point of
the hairstyle.
In the case of alopecia areata, hair tends to fall out to
leave small and smooth round patches on the back of the head.
This is a hair disease that is cyclical where hair tends to
repeatedly fall off, and then grow back as fine, baby like
hair.
Advanced forms of alopecia
In some cases, the hair may grow back normally in an irregular
motion, sometimes with complete hair loss in different areas
of the head. If this is left untreated, it can lead to complete
hair loss in the scalp region. This form of complete hair
loss is called alopecia totalis.
There is an even further progression of this hair loss disease
called alopecia universalis where there is total body hair
loss. So far, no effective form of hair loss treatment has
been found for alopecia universalis. The only option one has
is to use non-surgical hair replacement options to lead a
normal life.
Treatment options for alopecia
To treat any form of alopecia, the hair sample has to be
first sampled and if the cause is established, it should be
treated. Any bacterial or fungal infection the person may
be suffering from, and any dandruff or lice present has to
be treated.
Alopecia areata is best treated with intralesional injections
of hydrocortisone or triamcenalone or both. Usually, more
than one cycle will be required in a span of 2-3 weeks.
Those suffering from male pattern alopecia could apply minoxidil,
after consulting a dermatologist. Sometimes, dermatologists
may also prescribe ‘finasteride’ in low doses.
Sometimes hair transplantation in the form of punch grafting,
follicle unit transplant and single hair transplant may be
advised by the doctor.
Those who are not medically fit for surgery may be advised
non-surgical forms of hair restoration like wigs, hair weaving,
hair bonding, hair clipping, switches, falls and demiwigs.
Besides all this, it is important to take vitamin and zinc
supplements to control hair loss, and to promote hair regeneration.
Anemia too has to be treated promptly using iron supplements.
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