Alopecia is also known as alopecia areata. It is a hair loss condition. In most cases, only the scalp hair falls out. However, the eyebrows and eyelashes may be affected by this condition. Alopecia affects about 0.1 to 0.2 percent of the population. It is more common in children, teens and young adults.
What Causes Alopecia?
Doctors often do not know what causes alopecia. However, they do believe that this condition is triggered by an abnormality in the immune system. The body attacks the hair follicles, and the hair falls out as a result of this. Many patients who have alopecia also have other conditions, such as lupus, vitiligo, thyroid disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
Male pattern baldness is often the result of alopecia. Thyroid problems can cause alopecia in females. Furthermore, alopecia has a tendency to run in families.
Signs Of Alopecia
Hair loss is the main symptom of alopecia. This hair loss may occur within a very short period of time. Other signs include bald spots on the scalp, tingling in the affected part of the body and pitted fingernails and toenails.
How To Treat Alopecia
Half of patients with alopecia will not need any treatment because the hair will grow back on its own. However, the longer a person has this condition, the less likely the hair is to grow back. Alopecia is a chronic disorder, so there is no cure for it. It can be treated and managed. If this condition is properly treated, then the hair grows back in 90 percent of cases.
There are a number of treatments that a dermatologist may recommend for alopecia. Topical corticosteroids can be used to treat this condition. However, they are only recommended during the onset of this condition because they are not effective if used during the later stages of alopecia.
Your dermatologist may also recommend shampoos and cortisone containing creams. Propecia is effective for treating alopecia in men, but it is not approved for use in women or children. Additionally, laser light treatments can be used to treat alopecia.
The skilled dermatologists at OC Skin Institute can effectively treat alopecia. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.