Hair loss (medically known as alopecia) can occur on the head or body. It is normal to lose 50-100 hair strands per day; but any disruption in the hair growth cycle may cause abnormal hair loss. Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss in which hair falls out in round patches which can occur on the scalp and anywhere in the body.
Worldwide, alopecia areata is a common disease encountered by dermatologists. In UK one or two in every 1000 people is affected by alopecia areata.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Alopecia areata can affect people of any age
- Hair thinning in men can begin as early as the end of puberty
- While nearly 25% of men start balding by the time they are 30 years old, there has been an alarming 250% rise in hair loss cases, in the 16-25 age-group
- Alopecia areata tends to be common among children.
CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF ALOPECIA AREATA
Alopecia areata is a form of an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly invades the hair follicles. Another cause is a person’s genetic makeup, combined with some factors can trigger this form of hair loss. The factors that trigger the onset and relapse of this condition are:
- Trauma
- Hormonal changes
- Viral infections
- Emotional/physical stress
Alopecia areata can accompany other medical conditions such as,
- Vitiligo, a chronic skin condition characterized by portions of the skin losing their pigment creating white patches on the skin
- Thyroiditis .
- Eczema
- Hay fever and asthma
- Diabetes
Below is a gist of pattern of hair loss that alopecia areata can give rise to and its symptoms
| Alopecia totalis | § All scalp hair is lost | § | § |
| Alopecia universalis | § All hair on entire body is lost | § | § |
| Diffuse Alopecia areata | §
§ Sudden diffuse thinning of scalp hair |
§ | § |
| Nail disease | § Regular pitting and ridging of the nails is the most common finding | § | § |
Alopecia areata patients are at increased risk for psychosocial consequences of their disease, like anxiety and depression. Patients should be thus screened for atopy, vitiligo, thyroid disease, and other autoimmune conditions.
HOMEOPATHY TO THE RESCUE
Ten-year-old Perinaz came to our clinic with symptoms of alopecia areata. After a detailed study, we found that Perinaz was lethargic and stubborn. Though playful, she would dominate her younger sister, but was strangely fearful and shy with friends. She loved eating potato chips.
We prescribed Perinaz the homeopathic remedy, Calcarea Carbonica, which corresponded well with her temperament. Calcarea Carbonica, made from oyster shell, shows up an ‘encased’ personality.
Ironically, the Calcarea Carbonica persona is also submissive. Such children and adults alike are fat and slow; they spend most of their time at home, watching TV or nibbling for comfort.
We also prescribed Perinaz a diet rich in iron and iron supplements because her blood report showed low-haemoglobin levels [anaemia].
Perinaz showed noticeable progress within six months, and her bald patches improved after a year’s homeopathic treatment.
Homeopathic medicines offer excellent relief for such disorders that are triggered by abnormal immune response of the body. These medications are good for enhancing the immunity. They provide relief from the dryness of scalp and hair without any side- effects. Homeopathic medicines also promote re-growth of hair and control the progress and spread of bald spots to other regions. Homeopathy is an excellent solution for hair problems related to the mind, such as stress-related patchy hair loss.
A detailed, long-term study conducted at our clinics showed that the recurrence rate of alopecia areata was just 9.1% in patients treated with homeopathy, whereas it was as high as 50% in patients who took conventional treatment for the disorder.
Homeopathic medications promote re-growth of hair and control the progress and spread of bald spots to other regions.
Homeopathy medications are selected taking into consideration several factors like stage at which the hair loss occurred; Location of the balding areas; Cause of hair loss.
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SELF-CARE TIPS
- Live a stress free life
- Eat healthy
- Sleep well
- Avoid applying hair oil