Alopecia Areata: What you need to know about the autoimmune condition that Jada Pinkett-Smith suffers from
By Josh Piers - - 5 Mins Read
The immune system targets hair follicles by mistake in alopecia areata, causing inflammation. Researchers aren't sure what triggers the immunological attack on hair follicles, but they believe that both hereditary and non-genetic variables are involved.
According to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine, some persons with alopecia have a family history of other autoimmune illnesses such as atopy, thyroiditis, and vitiligo.
Alopecia areata comes in a variety of forms
Hair loss can be categorized into five categories, according to health experts:
Androgenic alopecia is a kind of hair loss caused by testosterone. This is a common occurrence in both men and women. Male- or female-pattern hair loss is another name for it.
It can thin your hair if you're a woman, but your hairline doesn't recede and you're unlikely to go completely bald.
Alopecia areata is known for patchy baldness. The bald patches can appear anywhere on your body, but the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) reports that the majority of patients develop a round or oval area on their scalp.
Alopecia totalis is a condition in which a person's hair is completely This is a type of alopecia aerata that causes complete hair loss on the scalp. Alopecia totalis management techniques are similar to those used for alopecia aerata. Hair loss specialist Abraham Armani said that "systemic immunosuppressive medication such as methotrexate or prednisone may be useful in extreme situations."
Traction alopecia is a type of alopecia caused by repeatedly pulling or stretching the hair.
"If you frequently wear your hair in a tight ponytail, buns, dreadlocks, hair extensions, weaves, or braids, you may get this condition," Armani warns. "Continuous pulling might harm hair follicles over time." If the damage caused by tugging continues, permanent hair loss may result."
Cicatricial alopecia is a kind of alopecia that leaves scars. Inflammation kills hair follicles in this condition. Scar tissue replaces the injured follicles, resulting in permanent hair loss in the area. Itching, soreness, and a feeling of warmth are some of the symptoms that might occur as a result of the illness.
Treatment
Unfortunately, there is no known cure for alopecia, however, it is not contagious.
Corticosteroids, potent anti-inflammatory medicines that can inhibit the immune system, are one of the most common treatments prescribed by doctors to treat this problem.
Local injections, topical ointment, and injections of corticosteroids are the most common methods of administration.
Alopecia's Signs and Symptoms
Hair loss in coin-sized patches is the most prevalent symptom of alopecia. You may notice some burning or itching in the region before the hair starts to fall out.
Always make an appointment with your doctor for a diagnosis before proceeding with any therapies.