Alopecia is the medical term that describes a loss of hair and sometimes baldness.
Classification—
- Male- pattern baldness(androgenic alopecia)
This is the commonest type of hair loss. It can be particularly difficult for both men and women to cope with.
2. Alopecia areata
It involves patches of baldness that may come and go. It can occur at any age, but mostly affects teenagers and young adults.
3. Scarring alopecia
In this condition hair follicle is completely destroyed. This means hair will not grow back.
4. Telogen effluvium
Common type of alopecia. This type of hair loss tends to improve without treatment after a few months.
Causes—
- Male-pattern baldness
Hormone dihydro-testosterone (DHT); made from the male hormone testosterone
2. Alopecia areata
Problem with the immune system
3. Scarring alopecia
- scleroderma
- lichen planus
- shingles
- folliculitis decalvans (baldness and scarring of the affected areas)
- frontal fibrosing alopecia (affects post-menopausal women)
- discoid lupus
4. Telogen effuvium
- Stress
- Medication
Symptoms And Signs—
- Male-pattern baldness
Follows a pattern of a receding hairline, followed by thinning of the hair on the crown and temples.
- Alopecia areata
- alopecia totalis (no scalp hair)
- alopecia universalis (no hair on the scalp and body)
- Scarring alopecia—
- permanent hair loss
- itching
- pain
- Telogen effluvium
Widespread thinning of the hair, rather than specific bald patches.
Investigations—
- Pull test
Several dozen hairs are gently pulled to see how many come out. This helps determine the stage of the shedding process and can help diagnose or rule out telogen effluvium.
2. Skin scrapings
Samples taken from the skin or from a few hairs plucked from the scalp can help verify whether an infection is causing hair loss.
3. Punch biopsy
In this a circular tool is used to remove a small section of skin’s deeper layers.
4. Screening tests for related diseases
Treatment—
Hair loss treatments are available to help promote hair growth or hide hair loss. For some types of alopecia, hair may resume growth without any treatment.
- Ayurvedic Medication
It may take 12 weeks for new hair to start growing. There are lots of Ayurvedic medicines that includes oils and shampoos which promote hair growth. These are individualized treatments. You can Contact Us for proper treatment of Hair Loss. - Surgery
The goal of surgery is to efficiently use existing hair to “cover lost ground.”
1. Hair transplant techniques
Punch grafts
Minigrafts
Micrografts
Slit or strip grafts
2. Scalp reduction
This decreases the area of bald skin on head. After hairless scalp is removed, the space is closed with hair-covered scalp. Scalp reduction can be combined with hair transplantation to fashion a natural-looking hairline in those with more extensive hair loss.
3. Wigs and hairpieces
They can be used to cover either permanent or temporary hair loss.
Prevention—
- Eat a nutritionally balanced diet.
- Handle hair gently.
- Allow hair to air-dry naturally.
- Avoid tight hairstyles, such as braids, buns or ponytails.
- Avoid compulsively twisting, rubbing or pulling hair.