What is Alopecia Areata?
Is a common disease that causes
hair loss on the scalp and other body parts? Begins
with one or more rounded and smooth plates. It affects men and women of
all ages, but young. Typically, hair follicles 35 millimeters produce hair
each day.
At alopecia areata affected follicles decrease their production of hair significantly;
they become very small and cause a barely visible hair on the skin surface for
months or years. These follicles are in a dormant state, but they are
alive and anytime again resume action upon receiving an appropriate signal. Some
people develop only a few peeled plates, which are stocked within one year. The
most commonly affected area is the scalp, but men's beard or anywhere can be
affected, either alone or together with the scalp.
Some people lose all the hair on the head (alopecia totalis); while others lose
all body hair (alopecia universal). Regardless of the extent of alopecia,
the hair is not lost and there is the possibility of restocking. What is
the signal that stimulates the onset or arrest of the disease? Not
completely understood, but seem immune signals. It is believed that
alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease in which the body mistakenly produces
antibodies against the hair follicle. Alopecia areata is it inherited? Alopecia
areata is sometimes a hereditary factor. One in five people have relatives
who have or have had the disease. Often, alopecia areata occurs in
families whose members have experienced asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever),
atopic dermatitis or autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis,
vitiligo, diabetes, pernicious anemia and Addison's disease. What other
body parts are affected? Occur in some dimples in nails, which are
arranged in rows. Disabling is alopecia areata? In physical sense alopecia
areata is not disabling, because patients have good health. In an
emotional sense can be a cause of great concern, especially in those with very
extensive hair loss. Emotional pain can be overcome with the individual's
own efforts, with medical arguments and supported by others. Sometimes it
requires professional advice from a psychologist or psychiatrist to develop
self confidence and get a good self-image. Could hair back out? Yeah,
the hair grows back, but in some cases may also fall out again. Alopecia
areata Is caused by nerves? No. Alopecia areata is a nervous, but nervous
factor may precipitate the disease or prevent its improvement. Alopecia
areata Is caused by lack of vision or dental infections? No, these are
hoaxes of the past. Is it necessary to change plans in relation to school,
sports, friends, career choice, marriage...? No, absolutely not.
TREATMENT
Is there any treatment for alopecia areata?
Yeah, there are various treatments for alopecia areata whose choice depends on
the patient's age and the extent of hair loss. Alopecia areata occurs in
two forms:
-As patches or stands, in which less than 50% of the hair of the head is lost.
, extensively, which lost 50% or more of all the hair on his head.
These forms behave differently and the
treatment for hair is therefore also different. Treatment
of alopecia areata not impedes the progression of disease, but stimulate
dormant follicles. Therefore, treatment should be continued until the
disease stops, which can take months to years.
A-Alopecia patches (not extensive)
intraregional steroid injections. The most effective treatment is the
injection of cortisone into the bare boards. The injections are given with
syringes or insulin with a device called Dermojet, which injects the drug by
air, without a needle. Injections should be repeated once a month, being
well tolerated by most patients. The treatment does not prevent the
formation of new patches at places other injected. A frequent injections
effect is the formation of small depressions in the skin in the injection
sites. This is temporary and the skin heals within a few months.
Steroid creams. Apply 2 times a day on bare spots.
Alopecia areata B-extensive
treatment here is much more difficult. There is a simple, safe, and
therefore often the best alternative is a wig. -Oral steroids. Sometimes
cortisone pills are used if the disease is extensive or evolves very fast. ,
Contact Dermatitis. Another way treatment of alopecia totalis or is
universal in the patient produce allergic contact dermatitis. To that end,
applies dibenciprona dinitrochlorobenzene or the scalp, in order to produce an
allergic eczema that stimulates follicle asleep. This treatment is
annoying and causes itching. PUVA. Exists UVA treatment called PUVA. In
this case the patient takes a drug called spiraled and 2 hours then exposed to
UVA rays. The treatment is done 3-4 times a week.
New Treatments
Anthracic. Is a substance derived from tar? This
cream is applied to the peeled once daily for 1-4 hours, after which the head
is washed. It is a substance that irritates the skin and causes a
yellowing of the same. Avoid contact with eyes and wash hands thoroughly
after application.
Cyclosporine. 's and immunosuppressant drug. It is
applied in solution 2 times a day, not only on the bare, but on top of the
scalp, from the forehead to the crown.
Minoxidil. Is a drug that is used orally for the
control of high blood pressure? It was found that patients taking it
showed a marked growth of hair. Thus, for over 10 years that is used
topically in solution to control hair loss. Today is one of the most
effective drugs in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia and other hair falls,
including alopecia areata to patches, whole or universal.
Dosage: If you are prescribed Minoxidil Spray 6 shots must carry the spray in
the morning and 6 shots at night. Alternatively 12 can be applied once
shots. If you are advised not spray container, you must use a syringe to
dispense the amount of liquid to be applied. In this case, apply a dose of
1 cc (an insulin syringe) every 12 hours (morning and evening). It is also
possible to apply the 2 cc at one time, but never exceed the total dose of 2 ml
per day. In all cases, the solution is applied on the bald scalp and on
the "roof" of the head (no sides) in the form of droplets scattered
throughout this area by slight friction and being perfectly dry hair.
It is advisable to use dryer to accelerate the drying of the solution, since
the action of the air decreases the effectiveness.
Remarks: Minoxidil solutions greasy hair, so the head must
be washed frequently with a shampoo and suitable. It is recommended to
wash 1-2 times a week. Some patients may notice slight scaling and
transient stinging on application areas that should never be a reason to stop
treatment.
Contraindications: Allergy to Minoxidil or vehicle (propylene glycol). Pregnancy. Complementary
Treatments Primeval Capsules. 's an essential nutrient for skin and
hair. Contains essential fatty acids (linoleum and gamma-linolenic)
involved in the synthesis of prostaglandins, substances that regulate
inflammatory and immune defenses of the organism. Vitamin supplements. Sidearm
capsules with iron and sulfur amino acids or trace elements may also be useful.