What It Is, Causes, Signs & Homeopathic Treatment of Alopecia
Alopecia (also known as alopecia areata) is a chronic, immune-mediated skin disease characterised by sudden loss of hair on the scalp, beard, and sometimes eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair. It can also be described as bald spots or bald patches. This patchy hair loss is very unpredictable, as the hair growth can return to normal at any time, and then suddenly fall out again. The affected areas show no signs of inflammation or other reasons for the hair falling out.
The patches of hair loss can be as small as the size of a coin, or entirely involve the affected area. The most common presentation of alopecia areata are localized bald spots, most often on the scalp or beard. If there is complete loss of all the hair on the scalp, it is called alopecia totalis. If both the hair on the scalp and body hair are involved, it is called alopecia universalis.
What are the main causes of Alopecia?
Alopecia is a type of autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing the hair to decrease in size, slow down growing, or stop growing altogether. The triggers involve a combination of multiple environmental and genetic factors. Alopecia can often be associated with other autoimmune disorders, such as thyroid disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory diseases.
Is Alopecia genetic?
Alopecia can have genetic predisposition and tends to cluster in families. However, the inheritance pattern is unclear, as it involves a combination of multiple environmental and genetic factors.
Is Alopecia contagious?
Alopecia is not contagious. Individuals who develop alopecia areata typically have both a family history and some type of environmental trigger, such as emotional or physical stress.
What are the early signs of Alopecia?
Common signs and symptoms of alopecia areata include a single small round patch, or multiple patches of hair loss. Alopecia areata usually starts out in a small localized area, but it can progress to alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis. The typical finding of active alopecia is the “exclamation mark” hair at the edge of the bald patches, which can be seen by the naked eye as short hairs with a narrower base at the skin, and thicker end. These hairs are more fragile and likely to fall out.
Additionally, some individuals with alopecia experience nail abnormalities like pitting of the nail plate. Nail abnormalities can occur before or during hair loss, or even after the hair has started to grow back.
What is the best treatment for Alopecia?
Homeopathic Treatment For Alopecia Areata has shown great results as far as stoppage of hair fall as well as re-growth is concerned.
This is attributed to the fact that Homeopathy treats the cause of disease rather than merely working on superficial results.
The conscientious homeopathic physician takes the complete history of the patient in detail, including his present and past complaints, valid family history, as well as a detailed work-up on the life situation and nature of the person. Have a look at some of the remedies used in Treatment of Alopecia Areata. Each remedy has its own specific indication based on which it is prescribed to the patient.
Phosphorus
Falling of hair in bunches, leaving patches. Itching of scalp with dandruff.
Natrum Muriaticum
Easy falling out of the hair; it falls when touched or combed with chronic headache.
Vinca Minor
Bald spots with itching of skin, oozing moisture, matting of hair together.
It is, however, worthwhile to remember that self-medication is not recommended.