Alopecia areata/Hair loss: Definition, Causes, Symptoms & Cures

HAIR LOSS

What is alopecia areata/Hair Fall/ Hair Loss?

Alopecia areata is an acquired skin condition that known by many names in the medical or nearby language such as Hair fall, Hair Loss, Baldness, Sarganj, Khalitya, Indralupta etc.   This is a common autoimmune scalp disease in which hair fall occurs because of a mistaken attack of the immune system on the hair follicles. Generally, it causes small sized and coin-shaped patches on the scalp region but when the whole scalp is influenced then it is called Alopecia totalis and involvement of the whole body including scalp is referred to as Alopecia universalis.

It can influence any parts of the body and can occur at any age or gender that tend to occur usually during 30 - 50 years of age. Both sexes can be victims equally. In keeping with numerous scientific reviews, it impacts approximately 40-50% of individuals all over the world. However, no proper treatment has been found for alopecia areata till date. Only Ayurveda has the solution for promoting hair regrowth. Generally, in 80-90% of cases, hair starts off regrowing spontaneously. However, in some cases permanent baldness is also observed. Around 4% of people with alopecia areata have a family history and hereditary attributes.

Other than this, it also affects toenails or fingernails as well. In continual instances and chronic cases, the prognosis may be more terrible.

How does alopecia appear? What exactly are the reasons for alopecia areata?

Genetic predisposition/Hereditary characteristics, Environmental attributes, Immune diseases.

Vaccination and Radiation therapy.

Rapid weight loss, mental stress, and depression.

Malnutrition/Nutritional deficiency - Lack of vitamins and nutrients in the diet and not consuming enough protein and iron as well.

Hairstyling treatments like Coloring, Straightening, Blow dryering, Frequent combing, Bleaching etc.

Hypervitaminosis A.

A nervous habit like Bulimia nervosa.

Ageing, long sickness, and infectious diseases.

Pregnancy due to hormonal changes/Lower level of estrogen and a higher level of androgen hormone, and Childbirth.

Certain health conditions like - Diabetes, polycystic ovarian diseases, hyperthyroidism/hypothyroidism, Addison's disease,  acne, scarring, seborrheic dermatitis, major surgery, syphilis, vitiligo, fungal infection (trichotillomania, tinea capitis, telogen effluvium etc.), ringworm, bipolar disorder, psoriasis, lice problem/pediculosis, scalp infection etc.

Injury and environmental triggers -  Exposure to toxic chemicals and harmful radiation.

Prescribed medicines such as chemotherapy, oral contraceptives/birth control pills, antidepressants, antiseizure, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, drugs to low cholesterol, anticoagulants like warfarin and heparin.

What are the  Signs & Symptoms of Hair Loss/Alopecia Areata?

Scalp hair getting short and thin. 

Partial/patchy or complete hair loss/baldness, diffused hair, fractured hairs, gray or decreased hair growth.

Male baldness (androgenetic alopecia).

Sometimes tingling, itching, or burning sensation in the scalp, including the beard and eyelashes regions.

Telogen effluvium, exclamation mark hairs, cadaver hairs, and white hairs.

Nails signs like rough, thin, and split appearance.

How do doctors diagnose alopecia areata?

For hair loss diagnosis the following medical investigations may be done -

Hair pluck test, scalp biopsy, serum iron, Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA), Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC), Complete Blood Count(CBC), Leutinizing Hormone(LH), Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ( T3, T4,  TSH), Testosterone level, Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH), VDRL (Venereal  disease research laboratory), Savin Scale, Norwood Hamilton Scale, androstenedione, prolactin, Densitometry etc.

Best Diet and Prevention Tips for Hair loss

• Avoid hair dyes, hairdryer, hair curling, stiff hair stylings like ponytails, braids etc, harsh shampoo, chemical-based hair conditioners, strong rubbing of hairs, and difficult combing.

• Complete bed rest is necessary to try to adopt sound sleep at night time.

• Take vitamin C, vitamin B, vitamin E, calcium, minerals, protein, biotin, iron, zinc-rich foods for hair growth and to make hair more potent and stronger.

• Alcohol drinking may be proved harmful on account of hair loss and should be restricted as soon as possible.

• Some perpetrated foods and drinks like tea, coffee, cola drinks, burger, Chinese dishes, tomato, sugary foods, junk foods, spicy foods, refrigerated foods, and fried foods are responsible for hair thinning so simply make a proper distance from these foodstuffs.

• To take out the toxic substances from the body, drink lots of water.

• Always intake a well-balanced diet and for the good health of the hair and promoting hair growth take the following things strictly -

Green, leafy, and root vegetables like pumpkin, cucumber, curry leaves, winter squash, palak, onions, avocados, beets, beans etc.

• Legumes.
• Dates.
• Raisins.
• Soybean.
• Citrus and dried fruits.
• Bananas.
• Pulses.
• Whole grain cereals.
• Nuts.
• Seeds.
• Sprout.
• Cheese.
• Yogurt.
• Liver, yeast, eggs, fish.

• Avoid intellectual strain, mental stress, and anxiety anyhow and do meditation and exercise routinely. The practice of Yoga, relaxation techniques, meditation may be advantageous because it increases blood flow to the scalp region that protects your hair by making it stronger forever and makes you tension free. Sarvangasana/Shoulder stand pose, Vajrasana/Thunderbolt pose, Bhujangasana Cobra pose, Sarvangasana (Shoulder stand pose), Ushtrasana/Camel pose, Pawanmuktasana/Knee to chest pose, Uttanasana/Bending straightforward pose. Shirsasana/Headstand pose, Anuloma Viloma/Alternative breathing, Shashank asana/Moon pose, Kapalabhati/Frontal lobe cleansing technique etc. can be adopted in a disease called alopecia areata.

• Break the egg and evacuate the internal whiteness (yolk) and mix it with one tablespoonful of olive oil. Now apply this combination on the whole scalp thereafter wash with shampoo after 15-20 minutes.

• Triphalachurna should be utilized for better abdominal health.

• Shirodhara, Ksheera vasthi, Nasya etc. come under Panchakarma therapy and should adopt it under the supervision of a trained therapist because it is very beneficial for head-borne diseases including hair loss or alopecia areata.

What's the Allopathic treatment for alopecia areata? Can or not it's cured with Allopathic medication?

There are many medicines to be had in Allopath but do not longer presents 100% positive results. Some conditions get cured spontaneously and some end up being stubborn or tenacious. 

Usually, the prediction might not be correct in the persistent sickness of hair loss.

For the most part, specialist prescribes steroids whether in the form of tablets, injection, creams or lotions. But most of them cannot be used for a long time due to the possibility of unwanted side effects.

Aside from this, the topical sensitizers like diphencyprone, squaric acid dibutylester, tofacitinib, and baricitinib are used to promote regrowth of hairs but benefits are limited.

Minoxidil and Anthralin are also used but expecting for a 100% well consequence can show to be worthless.

Home remedies to care for hair loss

For hair regrowth, there is a different Ayurvedic approach to deal with Baldness. If Allopathic medicines do no longer deliver the preferred results then go directly to the sanctuary of Ayurveda. It generally does not only treat hair fall but also strengthens hair-roots. The names of some medicines are being written down here which can be used without question in an inclination of hair fall cases.

• The leaves of ginkgo biloba is an Ayurvedic medicine, used for increasing circulation of the scalp as it helps in hair growth.

• Aloe vera is a well known herbal treatment for skin and hair-related conditions. So it is also suggested for hair loss management.

• A couple of curry leaves should be heated by making use of coconut oil. Now apply it on the scalp in the wake of making its cooldown. 

• Henna leaves have been used for this disease for a considerable length of time. For this, heat up some henna leaves in mustard oil. Let it cool off and apply on the scalp region after straining it.

• Licorice root powder and saffron powder should be blended in cow milk. Now apply it on the whole scalp for overnight and in the morning, wash it with tepid water.

• Male pattern baldness stops even from washing with neem leaves.

• Onion juice is another substitute for alopecia areata as it possesses sulfur that helps prevent hair fall and promotes hair regrowth.

• Soak the Fenugreek seeds for the whole night and in the following morning make a smooth paste after grinding them. Now apply it in the entire scalp and leave for around an hour then rinse it off with natural Neem cleanser.

Which ayurvedic oils are utilized as a part of the treatment of alopecia areata?

There are such a significant number of Ayurvedic oils available in the market which is utilized as a part of hair diseases including hair fall but be careful before using anyone. Because the working system of everyone is different. So, in this way, it is very important to consult an Ayurvedic doctor before using it. Below is written about some essential oils that increase blood flow of the scalp, help stimulates hair follicles, builds hair development, expels dandruff, lessens hair thinning, works as a hair tonic, maintains hair shining and many others.

Bhringaraj oil

Almond oil

Brahmi oil

Amla oil

Shikakai oil

Rosemary oil

Coconut oil

Olive oil

Mustard oil

Cinnamon oil

Lavender oil

Jasmin oil

Vitamin E oil

Sesame seeds oil

Castor oil

Sunflower oil

Cedarwood oil

Other Ayurvedic natural remedies to treat Alopecia areata

There are so many herbs, spices, or other substances to be had in your home and kitchen that you likely won't require the allopathic medicines. What's more, these Ayurvedic and home remedies are free from side effects and turned out to be exceptionally successful in hair loss treatment.

ROSEMARY

Rosemary - Romero - Rosmarinus officinalis

Lemon - Citrus limon

Coriander leaves - Coriandrum sativum

Amla - Indian gooseberry- Phyllanthus emblica

Coconut oil - Cocos nucifera

Amaranth juice - Tumble pigweed - Amaranthus albus

Fenugreek seeds - Trigonella foenum-graecum

Cumin - Cuminum cyminum

Bhringaraj - False daisy - Eclipta prostrata

Peppermint - Hybrid mint - Mentha piperita

Jatamamsi - Spikenard - Nardostachys jatamansi

Garlic - Allium sativum

Onions - Allium cepa

Alfalfa - Medicago sativa

Spinach - Spinacia oleracea

Carrot - Daucus carota

Sesame oil - Sesamum indicum

Lavender oil - Lavandula - Lavandula angustifolia

Cedar wood -  Cedrus

Reetha  - Soap pod - Acacia concinna

Olive oil - Olea europaea

Mustard oil - Brassica juncea

Lettuce - Lactuca sativa

Henna - Lawsonia inermis

Karanj - Pongamia glabra

Neem - Azadirachta indica

Orange peel - Citrus reticulata

Jasmine - Jasminum

Gotu kola - Centella asiatica

Brahmi - Bacopa monnieri

Nutgrass - Cyprus rotundus

Hibiscus leaves  - Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Indrayan - Citrullus colcynthis

Gunja - Abrus precatorius

Indian licorice - Glycyrrhiza glabra

Bakuchi - Psoralea corylifolia

Daru Haridra - Berberris asiatica

Bala - Sida cordifolia

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WRITTEN BY  RAJESH  KUMAR