ALOPECIA: Things You Need To Know

Alopecia is a widespread disease known by a lot of persons but as "baldness". The word became relatively known to the general public after the recording academy saga between Will Smith and Chris Rock at the Oscars Awards ceremony.

WHAT IS ALOPECIA?

Alopecia areata (Hair Loss) is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases are diseases that occur as a result of the immune system attacking the body cells. When one has alopecia, the immune system tends to attack cells necessary for hair growth on the body, mostly, the scalp. It occurs to both genders, but it is more common in men. Alopecia areata does not directly make people sick, nor is it contagious. It can, however, be difficult to adapt to emotionally.

SYMPTOMS OF ALOPECIA

The symptoms of alopecia includes;

• One or more distinct spots of Hair Loss on the scalp.

• Total loss of scalp hair, in a condition known as Alopecia totalis.

• Less frequently, total loss of all the hairs on the entire body that may occur in a condition known as Alopecia universalis.

CAUSES OF ALOPECIA

1. The most common cause of Hair Loss is male-pattern baldness and female pattern baldness as the case may be.

2. Injury to the scalp as a result of habitual pulling of the normal hair (trichotillomania), hair loss with scarring of scalp, and continuous traction (pulling) from braids.

3. Drugs especially chemotherapy; This is why Cancer Patients are more susceptible to hair loss.

4. Illnesses that cause high fever, hormonal disorders, and nutritional deficiencies.

5. Fungal infections such as Ringworm on the scalp.

IS ALOPECIA CURABLE?

Currently, there's no cure for alopecia; however, it is possible to regrow hair. The most common form of alopecia areata treatment is the use of corticosteroids, powerful anti-inflammatory drugs that can suppress the immune system.

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