Alopecia or hair loss from the body or head is cause by alopecia areata, traction alopecia, cicatricial alopecia, androgenic alopecia, trichotillomania and telogen effluvium. Alopecia treatment is needed to regain normal growth of hair.
Alopecia areata is a disease of the immune system that automatically protects a person’s body from viruses and bacteria. When signs of alopecia appear it should not be left untreated to avoid complete baldness or known as alopecia totalis. If it affects the whole body, it is called alopecia universalis. This is usually experience by patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Causes of alopecia are constant wearing of hairstyle such as ponytails and braid. This induces alopecia since hair is pulled from its natural position. The stress it brings on the hair causes it to fall out. This is called traction alopecia. Alopecia treatment should immediately be done to prevent further hair loss. Refrain from using a hairstyle that forced hair from being pulled. Another cause of alopecia is the use of hair relaxer to straighten hair. This relaxer solution uses harmful chemicals that can damage hair. There are also individuals who are not highly trained to use relaxer solution to an individual’s hair. If not done by a hair expert it can cause alopecia or hair loss. Always consider alopecia treatment if you experience hair fall problem. This prevents from affecting other areas of the body.
Cicatricial alopecia is generally seen in person with skin problem such as lichen planus. On the other hand, a male or female-pattern baldness called androgenic alopecia produces fragile hair where in a normal hair’s growth phase cycle is shorten. An alopecia treatment for androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata is called Minoxidil. It is available in liquid form or foam. Treatment using Minoxidil should not be interrupted otherwise hair loss will occur again. Side effects from this are scalp irritation, growth of facial hair or allergy. Another treatment for alopecia areata is Finasteride (Propecia) and Corticosteroids. Cortisone injection in the scalp should be done monthly. Anthralin cream or ointment can also be applied to the scalp daily.
Trichotillomania which is another cause of alopecia is a psychological condition of people with uncontrollable desire to pull their hair. Emotional shock from sudden death or physical illness causing hair loss is called telogen effluvium. It is necessary to include psychological treatment procedure in a person’s daily hair treatment. Other causes of alopecia are side effects from drugs, scalp infection, fungal infection, hormonal changes, hereditary disorder, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. With all these causes affecting hair growth they can also consider surgical options. Expensive treatment such as follicle transplant, alopecia reduction and scalp flaps are available. These procedures are painful but it can help individuals who want remedy for hair loss. A person undergoing surgery will get positive results for quality hair growth after six to eight months. The result for hair growth usually depends on the person’s age and degree of hair loss. While waiting for the effect of alopecia treatment, you may opt to use a hairpiece or a wig to cover hair loss.