Some authorities estimate that two out of a hundred suffer with alopecia hair loss in one of its forms. The hair loss can range from small bald patches on one end of the scale to hair loss on the scalp, or even total body hair loss on the other end of the scale.
The main questions many people ask about alopecia hair loss are considered here:
Just what is a definition of alopecia hair loss?
For a start, let’s make sure we can pronounce the word correctly. Al-oh-PEE-shah is how alopecia is pronounced, with the third syllable PEE getting most of the emphasis. Alopecia refers to “partial or complete hair loss.” Often you see it called by it’s proper title “Alopecia Areata” and additional words may be added to indicate the severity of the condition or the specific area that is affected.
Multilocularis: A number of bald spots on the head
Barbae: Bald areas affecting just the beard
Totalis: Hair loss on the whole head and scalp
Universalis: No body hair at all
How does a person get Alopecia hair loss?
This condition is not limited to a particular segment of the population. It can affect males and females of all ages and races. Heredity can play a role it appears, as 20% of individuals with the condition have family members who suffer with alopecia hair loss.
Interestingly though, records show that the parents of most of the children who suffer with alopecia hair loss did not have it themselves. And the reverse is also true, the majority of children whose parents suffer with it did not have alopecia themselves.
Alopecia hair loss is an autoimmune disease which can be triggered by a virus or some other agent in the environment causing the body’s protective white blood cells to mistakenly attack the cells that grow in the hair follicle to make hair. The condition is not contagious!
The big question – Will hair grow back?
It’s different in each case. Here is an overview of how a person might be affected:
Hair regrows but falls out again
There are only a small number of patches, and hair eventually regrows never to fall out again
Hair may fall out, regrow, fall out, regrow, and so on for many years
In most cases, the regrowth is the same color as the hair before
In a few cases, the hair that regrows is white but then gradually regains its original color
What is the solution for alopecia hair loss?
A variety of drugs are currently used which can have a positive effect on hair growth, although there is no ideal solution at this time. These include:
Rogaine, also called Minoxidil because of the main ingredient, is a drug designed to treat male and female pattern hair loss. It has been approved by the FDA.
Corticosteroids – these are strong drugs which are used to suppress the immune system
There are various ways of coping with the changes in appearance, depending of course on how severe alopecia hair loss is for an individual. These include using scarves, hats, jewelry, clothing, and cosmetics to camouflage the effects of alopecia hair loss. Additionally, the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (alopeciaareata.com) has a network and message board system putting sufferers in touch with each other where they can exchange ideas and suggestions.