HAIR LOSS (ALOPECIA)


HAIR LOSS (ALOPECIA)
Loss of hair from the head or the body is termed as alopecia. It may even extend up to baldness. It may occur in patches or may be diffuse or even occur in typical patterns (male pattern baldness). Hair loss may either be only on the scalp (if entire scalp then it is termed as alopecia totalis) or may be all over the body including the pubic hair (alopecia universalis).

CAUSES FOR HAIR LOSS
Alopecia areata is an auto immune disease (the persons own immune system attacks the hair follicles causing hair fall.)It is a patchy type of hair loss and the hair can usually grow back within 3 to 6 months.

Androgenetic alopecia refers to hair loss due to elevated levels of testosterone (androgens) along with a prevailing hereditary tendency. (The male hormones involved are present in both men and women.)

Tinea capitis (fungal infection) of the scalp; a presenting symptom may be dandruff along with small or large patches on the skin of the neck/scalp. It is one of the major factors for hairfall in India.

Trichotillomania is the habit of pulling hair or twisting them usually without realizing it.

Traction alopecia is the loss of hair which occurs due to traction being applied on the hair roots, such as in a ponytail.

Telogen effluvium
Hair shows cyclical changes of growth and dormancy, they grow for approximately three years and then undergo a resting phase for three months wherein they fall off and are replaced by new hair from the follicles. During such a dormant phase of hair growth a person may feel that he is suffering from alopecia. At any given time

there are 10% of hair in this state which might be increased due to triggering factors like childbirth, high fever, surgeries etc causing a transient increased hair loss which is reversible.
Burns, radiation, chemical injury or mechanical injury
Post pregnancy
Stress induced alopecia
Thyroid or pituitary disease
Drug induced: Cancer treatments and immune suppression medications.

In some cases, alopecia is an indication of an underlying medical concern, such as iron deficiency, thus in such cases the underlying cause should be treated.

SCARRING AND NON-SCARRING ALOPECIA
Scarring alopecia is the term used when the hair follicle is destroyed and replaced by scar tissue (it is not very common). It is permanent and the hair does not grow again. The scar is not visible on the scalp but inflammation occurs below the skin surface and may present superficially as itching or some amount of redness.

Non-scarring alopecia is the other type which is reversible as the hair follicle is not destroyed by scar tissue.

TREATMENTS
Our treatments are homoeopathic and we make sure that the causative factor is taken care off. Diagnosing what is the cause for hair loss can help to remove the maintaining causes and prevent recurrence. Conditions such as fungal infection of the scalp would require to be assisted with an antifungal regime. If a person suffers from Androgenetic alopecia then various drugs which reduce the circulating levels of dihydroxy- testosterone (DHT) may be helpful, but it has been noticed that Androgens and hereditary and seldom the only causative factors for hair loss.

Surgical implants and weaving are all being tried for their possible benefits but are always gifted with some side-effects. Also in these treatments the cause for hair loss is not taken care of and the underlying disease/pathology persists which will become more prominent later in an individual’s life.

DO’S AND DON’T’S FOR A PERSON WITH HAIRLOSS

1. Use a shampoo once or twice a week. Choice of shampoo depends on the hair type (normal, dry or oily). An antifungal shampoo in case of fungal infection of the scalp should be considered.

2. In case there is a deficiency a diet rich in proteins, iron and zinc would help.

3. Psychological stress and anxiety has been attributed to cause hair loss, so keeping them at bay is important.

4. Avoid physical trauma to the hair shaft caused due to vigorous combing, excessive shampooing, drying or brushing.

5. Beware of trendy styles such hair bleaching and dying as they might cause damage to the hair follicle causing hair loss

FACTS AND MYTHS ABOUT HAIRLOSS
Poor circulation to the scalp does not cause hair loss, so also massaging does not help to make them re-grow.
Shampooing does not accelerate balding; it might appear so because it might cause the hair which is already weak to fall off due to rubbing and being pulled.
Hair loss is inherited from both maternal as well as fraternal side of the family.
Coloring the hair/perms do not cause permanent hair loss as long as they do not destroy the hair follicle.
Shaving the head in no way helps make your hair better.