In Alopecia Areata, when round patches of hair loss appear suddenly, the hair loss is often discovered by a barber or hairdresser. The hair growing tissue stops making hair, and the hair then falls out from the roots. Why this happens is a medical mystery. What we do know for sure is that Alopecia Areata is not contagious, is not caused by foods, nor is the result of nervousness. It sometimes runs in families. Most often occurs on the scalp, but can involve eyelashes, eyebrows and the beard area. No single cause is known but it is thought to be an autoimmune condition which results in inflamed hair follicles which cause the hairs to fall out. Most patients are completely healthy. It may begin abruptly, and may affect both children and adults. Most courses of Alopecia Areata last many months to a year or two. Alopecia Areata has three stages. First, there is sudden hair loss. Then the patches of hair loss may enlarge. Last, new hair grows back. This takes months – sometimes more than a year.
How is Alopecia Areata treated?
Hair usually grows back by itself, but slowly. Sometimes the new hair is temporarily gray or white, but after a while the original color usually returns. The natural re-growth of hair can often be sped up by injecting a cortisone medicine into the area of hair loss. Cortisone is injected into the scalp, and acts only in the area where it has been injected. Unfortunately, this does not prevent new areas of hair loss. However, if new areas of hair loss appear, re-growth may again be helped by injecting cortisone. Alternatively, topical medications may also be utilized.
Treatment Options:
Many treatments have been used for Alopecia Areata, but no cure is known. Most of the treatments work by cutting down the white blood cells which inflame the hair roots and cause them to fall out, therefore, a lot of time is required to see possible effects of therapy. Hair growth is slow (about 1/2 inch per month).
