It is possible that emotional stress or an illness can bring on alopecia areata in people who are at risk, but in most cases, there is no obvious trigger.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which a person's immune system attacks other tissues in their body. Researchers aren't sure of the precise cause of autoimmune diseases, but some potential triggers may include bacteria, viruses, and medications.
There is no cure for alopecia areata—only treatment. In mild cases, hair usually grows back, sometimes on its own. However, if treatment is necessary, steroid injections and topical medications may be recommended. But there have been no reliably effective treatments for severe cases of alopecia areata until recently.
Yet it has long been appreciated that episodes of alopecia areata (AA) have occurred after severely stressful life events (Reinhold, 1960; Whitlock, 1976).
Protect bald or thinning areas from the sun.
Balding or thinning hair on your scalp increases your risk of sunburn. To protect your scalp, dermatologists recommend that you do one of the following: Wear a wide-brimmed hat or wig when outdoors. If you don't cover your head, apply sunscreen to your scalp.
Vitamin D deficiency may be an important factor in the etiopathogenesis of alopecia areata, and oral Vitamin D supplementation and topical Vitamin D analogs may be used to treat alopecia areata.
The frequency of washing hair when experiencing hair loss varies, but it's generally advisable to maintain a clean scalp. Washing every 2-3 days is a good starting point, but consult with a hair specialist for personalised recommendations.
There is not enough research to determine whether increasing vitamin D levels can restore hair loss. There are also numerous possible causes of hair loss, and a person may need to address the underlying issue. However, as vitamin D plays a role in hair growth, getting enough vitamin D may be beneficial for hair health.
Severe and prolonged hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause loss of hair. The loss is diffuse and involves the entire scalp rather than discrete areas. The hair appears uniformly sparse.
Oral Finasteride
Finasteride slows the rate of hair loss and stimulates new hair growth by inhibiting the body's production of a hormone that destroys hair follicles. This medication is taken once a day by mouth and is most effective when taken at the same time each day.
In alopecia areata, the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, causing inflammation. Researchers do not fully understand what causes the immune attack on hair follicles, but they believe that both genetic and environmental (non-genetic) factors play a role.
Alopecia areata (AA) occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicle. Studies have shown a relationship between AA and low vitamin D levels. Vitamin D should be supplemented if levels are low.
Scalp massages with essential oils, application of onion or garlic juice, and the use of aloe vera gel are among the home remedies that individuals have explored. Additionally, maintaining a balanced diet contributes to overall health, which can positively impact hair growth.
Hair loss usually does not start until after puberty, and the rate of progression is extremely variable. Some men go completely bald in less than 5 years but most take 15-25 years. One study found an average rate of hair loss of about 5% per year.
Dermovate® cream (clobetasol propionate 0.05%) 30g
Potent topical steroids such as Dermovate® cream can be successfully applied to small areas of hair loss on the scalp. This needs to be applied once daily for 12-weeks to assess if a response is achieved.
This can be difficult to deal with, so for alopecia areata, shaving your head is a way of keeping everything short and uniform. Some people might find that when they notice hair loss starting, they would rather get it all over with at once rather than letting it fall out by itself over time.
Hairstyles that pull the hair tightly (such as braids, hair extensions or tight ponytails). Haircare that may cause damage due to processing (including perms and bleach). Hormonal changes (such as pregnancy, childbirth or menopause). Medical treatment (such as chemotherapy and certain medications).
People with alopecia areata typically have smooth, round patches of complete hair loss that develop over a period of a few weeks, followed in most cases by regrowth over several months (picture 1). However, alopecia areata may persist for several years and sometimes hair never regrows.
Testing for vitamin D deficiency should be considered in patients with alopecia due to its high prevalence. While supplementation is controversial, we recommend giving cholecalciferol 50,000 IU once weekly for 12 weeks followed by 2,000 IU daily.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three JAK inhibitors to treat alopecia areata. Barcitinib is used to treat adults who have severe alopecia areata. It's a once-daily pill. Deuruxolitinib has been approved to treat adults with severe alopecia areata.
Low iron levels can lead to hair loss. Iron deficiency can trigger a condition called telogen effluvium, which increases hair shedding and limits hair growth. Iron deficiency hair loss can be reversed if you get your iron levels back to normal. Oral iron supplements can help replenish your body's iron stores.