By: Elizabeth Danish
Alopecia hair loss isn't the same thing as make pattern balding or
many of the other types of thinning we are accustomed to associating with hair
loss. Alopecia can impact men, women, or children or can lead to complete
baldness at an early age. An accurate diagnosis usually has to come from a
qualified physician and treatment options can range in their level of success.
This type of hair loss is almost always associated with hair loss
from the head, although it is not uncommon to notice that the rest of the body
suffers from thinning or a loss of hair as well. For some patients, total hair
loss can happen in a relatively short period of time including the hair on the
body.
The Causes of Alopecia
The main cause of alopecia hair loss is associated with some sort
of rejection quality found in the immune system. When the immune system does
not recognize something in the body as a friendly entity it goes through a
process of removal of that entity. If the immune system can not recognize hair
as a friendly entity it will reject it. This naturally results in the loss of
hair.
Sometimes the immune system defect is a single cause. There are
some causes of immune system malfunctions that can be an underlying cause of
alopecia. Illnesses that require the breaking down of the immune system as a
treatment option such as lupus or cancer can inflame an underlying problem. If
the problem has always been there but in a dormant state, the treatment options
can significantly alter the immune system's ability to relate to the body. This
is rare but can happen.
Other illnesses can also inflame underlying alopecia. Thyroid
disorder, rheumatoid conditions, systemic allergies, and ulcerative colitis are
the most common illnesses related to hair loss of this nature. When hair loss
has been studied the follicles are often found to be filled with cells from the
defective immune system, although it isn't likely that these cells are a
product of medication used in the treatment of these illnesses.
Alopecia in Children and Teens
Children and teens are affected at a higher rate of incident than
adults. In most cases, the alopecia is actually temporary. There are some cases
of total hair loss that come upon the patient during their youth and last the
remainder of the individual's life.
Toddlers are so rarely affected that hair loss in a child under the
age of 4 is not likely to be tested for alopecia. Hair loss in older adults is
somewhat expected and is usually not associated with alopecia and thus many
adults are never tested for the condition. Despite the lack of frequency in
toddlers and older adults, it is in the patients' best interests to be tested
when looking for an accurate diagnosis.
Alopecia Treatment Options
Almost half of all patients that are diagnosed with alopecia will
not require treatment. It's typical to see the hair grow back within 12 months.
However, for patients that are showing no sign of improvement after the first
year there are treatment options available.
Many patients who have experienced the loss and regrowth of hair
may experience hair loss again and may prefer to opt for treatment options
during subsequent times of loss. Most of the treatments involve creams and
ointments that are designed to prevent the immune system from attacking the
hair follicles. Injections or creams that are developed from steroids are
generally the first option.
Not all patients will respond to steroids well and may need
alternative options such as irritants like anthralin or immunotherapy like
cyclosporine. In some cases, treatment may continue to fail and there are few
options for patients with very stubborn cases.
Living With Alopecia
Alopecia hair loss that can not be treated can be emotionally
difficult to accept. Even waiting a year for the hair to grow back can seem
like an eternity for some patients. It's important that physicians, family
members, and friends offer support for the emotional impact as well. Girls and
women living with alopecia can find that they wish to attempt to hide the
condition by wearing wigs and hats. Other patients find that living with the
symptoms gives them a certain freedom once they are past the emotional
difficulties of accepting the condition.
Support can be offered in a lot of different ways. It's important
to respect a patient's choice for coping. Hats, wigs, or simply going bald can
often be met with friction by family members and even potential employers. It's
important that the individuals who are closest to the patient allow for growth
and development into accepting the disease and finding ways that make coping
with it easier. Alopecia hair loss does not have to become an identity for any
patient.
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