Understanding Alopecia Areata: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Introduction

Alopecia areata, a common autoimmune disease, is characterized by abrupt and unpredictable hair loss, usually affecting the head (scalp) and face. The term “Alopecia” means baldness, and “areata” means small, random spots. Alopecia areata is not a life-threatening condition; however, it can affect anyone, regardless of gender, age, or race, and can cause emotional and depressive symptoms.

This article explores the causes of alopecia areata, its symptoms, and treatment approaches to help manage this condition. (1–4)

Causes of Alopecia Areata

The exact root cause of this autoimmune disease is not well-known. The white blood cells attack hair follicles, causing them to shrink and gradually slow down hair production. This leads to patches of hair loss. However, several risk factors can increase the possibility of this condition, including:

1. Genetic Risk Factors

• Individuals with a family history of alopecia areata are at a higher risk.
• A family history of other immune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, and type 1 diabetes, also increases the risk of having alopecia areata.
• Some studies link allergy-related conditions, such as asthma and eczema with an increased likelihood of alopecia areata.

2. Environmental Factors

Environmental factors such as stress and viral infections can also affect the immune system, contributing to alopecia areata.

Symptoms of Alopecia Areata

1. Hair Changes

The most noticeable symptom is sudden, unexpected hair loss, often in a patchy form. Characteristics of this hair loss include:

• Patches that are usually round or oval, are called patchy alopecia areata.
• The scalp and facial hair are usually affected; however, other body parts may also experience hair loss.
• Severe cases of alopecia areata may lead to complete head baldness, called alopecia totalis. In rare cases, it can cause complete or near-complete body hair loss, called alopecia universalis.
• The hair regrowth pattern is unpredictable; when hair regrows, the characteristics of the new hair, developing new patches, and whether the new hair will be lost again, are all uncertain.

2. Nail Changes

Some people with alopecia areata may experience nail changes, including ridges and pits, especially in severe hair loss cases.

Treatment of Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is incurable; however, several treatment approaches can help manage this disorder and promote hair regrowth. Before starting the treatment, medical health providers should consider the following factors:

• The severity of the condition. 
• The age of the patient. 
• The location of hair loss. 
• Presence of other medical conditions.
  

Treatment approaches can include:

1. Corticosteroids

The first-line treatment of alopecia areata is corticosteroids because they play anti-inflammatory roles. They can be injected directly into the scalp or other infected areas, taken orally, or applied topically in the form of creams, ointments, and foams.

2. Topical Immunotherapy

Topical immunotherapy, such as diphencyprone (DPCP) may be prescribed to promote an allergic reaction (contact dermatitis), which stimulates hair regrowth.

3. Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a popular, over-the-counter, topical medication used in both male and female hair loss conditions, including alopecia areata. The effects of this medication usually take 12 weeks to become noticeable in stimulating hair regrowth.

4. JAK Inhibitors

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are a new class of medications with promising potential in managing severe cases of alopecia areata. These medications work by blocking inflammation pathways, helping with hair regrowth.

5. Psychological Support

The impact of alopecia areata on emotional well-being is significant, thereby, psychological support to the patient is needed. This may include the following:

• Counseling 
• Stress management techniques 
• Support groups

References

1. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/types/alopecia
2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12423-alopecia-areata
3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/70956
4. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/alopecia-areata

Read More: Click Here