Alopecia Areata is a condition in which hair loss appears suddenly in round patches. The immune system of the patient’s system attacks the hair growing tissues for unknown reasons. The body’s immune system considers the hair follicles as foreign and attacks them. White blood cells by the name of T-lymphocytes attack the hair thus causing the hair to enter a resting phase (Telogen).

Cause

There are different hypothesis as to the cause of Alopecia Areata. Studies suggest that genetic factors can not be ruled out as people suffering from it have had a family history of the disease.

Chemicals such as cytokines which is a component of the immune system may also play a part in Alopecia Areata by hindering the growth of hair follicle. Studies have also pointed out that emotional stress can also be the cause of Alopecia Areata.

The hair may enter catagen(hair follicles stop growing) or telogen(hair fall out) stage. In Alopecia Areata something causes the hair to enter the catagen and the telogen stage at the same time.

Symptoms

This auto-immune disease of the hair primarily appears as a bare rounded patch around an inch wide. Alopecia Areata has three stages: the first being the sudden loss of hair and then the patches of hair fall enlarge and in the end new hair grow back. Alopecia Areata affects men and women equally but is often experienced first in childhood.

Alopecia Areata can be categorized into three types on the basis of their severity:

Alopecia Areata : It is a mild loss of hair on the scalp

Alopecia Totalis : It is a complete loss of scalp hair

Alopecia Universalis : It is a complete loss of scalp and body hair

Treatment

Various treatment options are available to cure Alopecia Areata. Most frequent being observation. The patch is observed and allow it to regrow itself. Observation is generally used when the patch is a small one.

A second method is to apply a strong steroid on the patch. The hair can take a few months to regrow using the method. An injection of steroid will lead the hair to regrow in 4 to 8 weeks. This process needs to be continued 4 to 6 weeks.

Another treatment is to produce irritation or contact dermatitis on the affected area which apparently stimulates regrowth. Anthralin is the most commonly used irritants. Studies suggest that a combination of anthralin and minoxidil is more effective.

PUVA (photochemotherapy) is treated as the last resort. This involves the intake of a drug by the name of psoralens two hours before exposing the affected area to ultraviolet light. Hair regrowth can take as long as two years.

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