Picture source –Abbassyma at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Alopecia Areata refers to hair loss on any part of the human body and it happens when the immune system attacks hair follicles. Although hair loss can occur on any part of the body, this condition affects the scalp more.
Hair on the head has always been a part of a person’s appearance and how others perceive them physically. While one can choose to style it by removal or trimming, nobody desires to lose their hair in patches or in an uncontrolled manner. Sadly, this is what the condition does.
Alopecia is a term that means hair loss, while Areata refers to vacant space or ‘patchy’, hence the name given to the condition. Although it is not contagious, research has shown that Alopecia Areata is hereditary. This means that if it affects a parent, their offspring have a chance of having it later.
Furthermore, it can affect anyone but is more common in children, affecting Black people more than their white counterparts. As such, it is important to have an understanding of the condition, what causes it, its symptoms, and possible management and cure.
What Causes Alopecia Areata?
Picture Source: Adobe Stock
Alopecia Areata happens when the immune system sees the hair follicles as a foreign body and attacks them. The attack destroys the follicles, reducing their ability to produce hair and in some cases, completely ending it.
Naturally, some parts of the human body have something called immune privilege. This means that the immune system is ‘unaware’ of their existence in a sense, making them more tolerant to antigens. But trouble arises in the rare case where the immune system becomes aware of such areas. Due to no prior knowledge of the organ or tissue, it attacks it, leading to undesired results.
In this case, destroying the hair follicles causes grown hair to fall out in clumps and can prevent future growth from occurring in that area. Other parts of the body with immune privilege include the eyes, testicles, placenta, and fetus.
Classifications Of Alopecia Areata
The condition does not occur the same way in everyone. It shows up in varying degrees, making researchers categorize it based on how much hair is lost and the size of the affected area.
Alopecia Areate falls into the following categories:
Patchy Alopecia Areata
In this case, the hair loss occurs in round patches on the scalp. Sometimes it can be a single bald spot with the surrounding area retaining hair. In other cases, the patches can be up to two or three.
Ophiasis Alopecia
The type of Alopecia Areata affects the sides and back of the scalp. In some cases, it affects either the side or back, while in other cases, it causes hair loss in both areas. Higher areas of the scalp and the top are left untouched.
Diffuse Alopecia Areata
Diffuse Alopecia Areata does not cause hair loss like the other types. However, it is characterized by thinning hair on the scalp. Instead of losing hair on the head, affected persons develop thin hair that barely hides the scalp.
Alopecia Areata Totalis
As its name implies, Alopecia Areata Totalis causes total hair loss on the scalp. In this case, the person loses all the hair on their head, developing complete baldness.
Alopecia Areata Universalis
In the case of Alopecia Areata Universalis, affected persons lose hair on every part of their body. The whole body is affected, including the eyebrows.
Symptoms Of Alopecia Areata
Picture source – AfroTherapy
As with other body conditions, some signs show the onset or presence of such a condition. In this case, these are the symptoms and signs of Alopecia Areata:
- Hair loss on body areas that are normally hairy. It is more common on the scalp.
- Losing significant hair within a short period.
- Hair comes off and grows back on different areas of the scalp or body around the same time.
- Losing hair and having white/grey hair replace them on the same spot.
- Itching or a burning sensation on affected areas/spots.
- Noticeable hair loss during winter.
Note that while all the symptoms mentioned above point to Alopecia Areata, they are not absolute. It is important to visit a healthcare center for proper and accurate diagnosis.
Treatment And Living With The Condition
As of the time of sharing this information, Alopecia Areata has no cure. Fortunately, there are treatments to address or manage hair loss. These methods work in two ways derived from the root cause of the condition.
You need to stop the immune system from attacking the hair follicles and then treatments to revive hair growth in the affected areas can then begin. Note that you cannot do it at home because it needs the knowledge and expertise of trained professionals. Therefore, visit a hospital and keep in mind that the treatment does not work for everyone.
On the other hand, the condition can affect one’s mental health because of how it can influence social interactions and one’s confidence. As such, affected persons have to find ways to live with the condition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Can Trigger Alopecia Areata?
Psychological stress is a leading trigger for people with the tendency to develop Alopecia Areata. Other triggers include injury and illness. These things can agitate the immune system into attacking the hair follicles.
Will My Hair Grow Back?
Most of the time, the hair does not grow back. But in some cases, it can. However, growing back does not mean it will not fall out again. Even when treatments become successful, stopping will revert the progress and cause hair loss again.
What Should I Avoid If I Have Alopecia Areata?
Stay away from foods and drinks that fall into the following categories:
- Junk food
- Diet Soda
- Alcohol
- Sugar
- Fishes with high mercury content.
Note that while it might affect your appearance, Alopecia Areata does not change or reduce who you are. The condition should not make you feel less of yourself.
