Some authorities estimate that two out of a hundred suffer with alopecia hair loss in one of its forms. The hair loss can range from small bald patches on one end of the scale to hair loss on the scalp, or even total body hair loss on the other end of the scale.
The main questions many people ask about alopecia hair loss are considered here:
What’s a good definition of alopecia hair loss?
Alopecia is pronounced al-oh-PEE-shah with the emphasis on PEE, the third syllable. Alopecia specifically refers to “partial or complete hair loss.” Alopecia Areata is the full title and this is often followed by other words or phrases to indicate which part of the body is affected and to what extent.
Multilocularis: A number of bald spots on the head
Barbae: Bald areas found on the beard only
Totalis: Hair loss on the whole head and scalp
Universalis: No body hair at all
How does a person get Alopecia hair loss?
This condition is not limited to a particular segment of the population. It can affect males and females of all ages and races. Heredity can play a role it appears, as 20% of individuals with the condition have family members who suffer with alopecia hair loss.
However, statistics show that the majority of children with alopecia hair loss did not have parents who suffered with it. Conversely, the majority of parents with the condition did not have children who suffered with it.
Alopecia hair loss is an autoimmune disease which can be triggered by a virus or some other agent in the environment causing the body’s protective white blood cells to mistakenly attack the cells that grow in the hair follicle to make hair. The condition is not contagious!
The big question – Will hair grow back?
It’s different in each case. Here is an overview of how a person might be affected:
Even though their is regrowth, the hair may fall out later
There are only a small number of patches, and hair eventually regrows never to fall out again
Hair is lost and then regrows with this sequence repeating itself over many years
For most people, they find the hair that comes back is the same color as the hair they lost in the first place
In a few cases, the hair that regrows is white but then gradually regains its original color
So how can alopecia hair loss be remedied?
While there is no perfect solution right now, there are various drugs available on the market which can boost hair growth. Among these there are:
Minoxidil or Rogaine, an FDA approved drug for treating male and female pattern hair loss
Corticosteroids – these are strong drugs which are used to suppress the immune system
Depending on the extent of the alopecia hair loss, there are different avenues open to cope with the change in a person’s appearance. Some use scarves, hats, clothing, cosmetics, jewelry, and other accessories to hide or divert attention from the hair loss. A very useful resource is the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (alopeciaareata.com) which puts alopecia sufferers in touch with each other through a network and message board arrangement so ideas and thoughts can be shared.
For answers to frequently asked questions about Minoxidil-Rogaine, click here: Rogaine Review? Develop a strategy for dealing with premature hair loss. Click here: Hair Loss Problem
