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The Alopecia Areata Predicament Around 2% of the total population of the world experience an erratic hair loss disorder called alopecia areata. In the last decade, there has been a huge transition on the treatment of this disease as there have been constant researches and studies about it. Alopecia areata which can be a distressing cosmetic and health condition are of several categories. There is alopecia areata moltilocularis wherein there is hair loss in multiple areas of the head whereas only one spot in any part of the head becomes bald in alopecia areata monolucolaris. Alopecia areata totalis on the other hand causes loss of all hair on the scalp while alopecia areata universalis has the manifestation of hair loss on all body parts including the pubic hair. A psychological trauma may cause a person to lose all his dark hairs leaving him only with mixed gray and dark hair and this condition is called diffused alopecia areata. Alopecia areata, also called “spot baldness” causes bald spots on the head on its initial stages. In general, alopecia areata is a disease which includes autoimmunity that is, there is a failure for the system to recognize its own constituent parts. The indication of this disease is that it regards hair follicles as foreign tissues thereby suppressing and hampering hair growth. To further explain an autoimmune disease, the body’s immune system basically turns against itself. It perceives the body’s own tissues as foreign elements thereby attacking them instead. The nature of alopecia areata is that it initially affects all growing hairs but the resting hair follicles are spared from the damage it instigates. The hair becomes trunctuated and subsequently, the disease allows the hair follicles to enter into s telogen resting state. Significant shedding of hair usually results from this process. In alopecia areata, the hair follicles remain in the telogen resting state for prolonged periods and if they try to proceed to the anagen growth state, it is when the immune system attacks the hair follicles. Based on this theory, treatment measures for spot baldness are being carried out. As an intervention for the disease, professionals aim to reduce the action of the immune system on the hair follicles and to promote the growth of the resting hair follicles. There are several treatment options for alopecia areata. There are those directed only on hair regrowth for cosmetic purposes but by no means prevent hair loss. They are immune inhibitors such as steroids or Psoralen and UV-A light; squaric acid dibutylester which is a topical sensitizer and diphenylcyclopropenone; non- specific irritants such as anthralin; and minoxidil hair treatments considered as vasodilators. Other treatment options for alopecia areata which are widely available include the application of topical corticosteroids. Corticosteroids can be injected locally or used in conjunction with minoxidil therapy. Anthralin has also gained a wide acceptance as treatment for alopecia areata. When one decides on the most appropriate treatment approach for the disease, factors like the duration and the extent of the condition must initially be taken into consideration. As much as there are several treatment options available for alopecia areata, most dermatologists use a combination of anthralin or corticosteroids along with minoxidil as of now. About Author: The author of this article Rose Windale is a Health and Wellness Coach who has been successful with several natural health programs for many years. Rose decided to share her knowledge and tips through her website http://www.healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free newsletter and enjoy a healthy and happy life. Article Source: ArticlesAlley.com |