Hair loss (alopecia)
Alopecia includes a number of conditions which involve hair falling out and/or not re-growing.
Alopecia can be divided between areata (patches of hair loss), totalis (near-complete hair loss on the head), and universalis (near-complete hair loss all over the body).
It can affect different areas of the body. This includes the scalp and face (including eyebrows, lashes and facial hair), but also arms, underarms, legs and around the genitals.
Alopecia is an autoimmune condition, caused when a person’s immune system targets their hair follicles. Sometimes there is a trigger to start this happening, but it is not always possible to identify why alopecia started. About 20% of people with alopecia areata have a family history.
Alopecia cannot be cured. There is a good chance that, for four out of five people, complete regrowth will occur within a year without treatment. There may be further episodes of hair loss in the future. If there is very extensive hair loss from the start, the chances of it regrowing are not as good.
People with mild early alopecia may need no treatment, as their hair is likely to come back anyway without it. Some treatments can induce hair growth, though none is able to alter the overall course of the disease. Any treatments that carry serious risks should be avoided, as alopecia itself has no adverse effect on physical health.
Not everyone with alopecia wants medical treatments. For those who do, there are different treatments available. If you smoke, think about stopping - as cigarette smoke may worsen the hair loss. Eating a healthy diet is also helpful.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition. The causes of the hair loss are when a person’s immune system targets their hair follicles. Sometimes there is a trigger to start this happening, but it varies from person to person and it is not always possible to identify why alopecia started.
Someone with alopecia areata is slightly more likely than a person without it to develop other autoimmune conditions such as thyroid disease, diabetes, lupus and vitiligo (white patches on the skin), although the risk of getting these disorders is still very low. If you have other symptoms then discuss these with your doctor. Your doctor may suggest a blood test.
There is a genetic predisposition to alopecia areata. About 20% of people with alopecia areata have a family history.
No, alopecia areata cannot be cured. Depending on the extent of hair loss there is a good chance that, for 4 out of 5 affected people, complete regrowth will occur within 1 year without treatment. There may, however, be further episodes of hair loss in the future. If there is very extensive hair loss from the start, the chances of it regrowing are not as good.
People with mild early alopecia areata may need no treatment, as their hair is likely to come back anyway without it. Some treatments can induce hair growth, though none is able to alter the overall course of the disease. Any treatments that carry serious risks should be avoided, as alopecia areata itself has no adverse effect on physical health.
Not everyone with alopecia wants medical treatments. For those who do, there are different medical treatments available.
Self-Care - What can I do?
Eating a healthy diet including food that contains iron, protein, fresh fruit and vegetables may be helpful.
If you smoke consider stopping as heavy metals in cigarette smoke may worsen the hair loss.
Treatments for alopecia
Not everyone with alopecia wants medical treatments. For those who do, there are different medical treatments available. Examples include steroid treatments in different forms: topical (applied to the skin), injections into the skin and tablets.
Some types of treatment can be bought from a shop (‘over-the-counter’), such as minoxidil topical treatments. Other treatments must be prescribed after visiting a medical professional such as a General Practitioner (GP), nurse or dermatologist.
Some treatments are procedures done by medical professionals, such as topical immunotherapy.
Some people choose to wear a wig or hat to cover alopecia on their scalp. If a person with alopecia and their dermatologist agree that a wig would be helpful, the dermatologist can write them a prescription. This can help the person get a wig for free or at a lower cost.
Living with alopecia may result in many different emotions — shock; fear; sadness; isolation; anger and frustration; low self-esteem and knocked confidence; awkwardness and embarrassment; anxiety; stress and panic. It is important that you discuss how you feel and seek appropriate help and support.
Services for signposting-
https://healthtalk.org/alopecia/what-is-alopecia-a-medical-overview