Alopecia Areata
by Sarah Allyn
Patient
Etiology
Risk Factors
- a relative has it
- patient is a child or adolescent
- a relative has another autoimmune disorder (diabetes, lupus, thyroid disease, etc.)
Symptoms, Signs, and Characteristics
Symptoms can occur whenever and patients often experience peaks and troughs in the hair loss.
The symptoms include:
- hair loss
- burning sensation where hair loss occured
Treatment
Here are some for mild hair loss:
- Intralesional Corticosteroid Injections. A doctor or physician can administer these injection in or around the sites of hair loss. These are designed to regrow hair but cannot hinder any further hair loss.
- Five Percent Topical Minoxidil Solution is available for scalp and eyebrow regrowth. It isn't effective in those with 100% scalp hair loss. It is safe and self-administered.
- Anthralin Cream is put on the patches for a short time daily. Regrowth of hair can be seen in 8 to 12 weeks. It is slightly harmful to the eyes and can result in skin irritation and skin staining.
- Corticosteroid Pills can be given but they are much stronger than injections. They can result in health risks from prolonged use. Regrown hair can fall out if the pills are stopped.
- Topical Immunotherapy is where a physician sparks a rash akin to poison oak on the affected area. About 40% of patients who use this experience regrowth in six months.
- Wigs are also an option for extreme hair loss. Silicon suction wigs are available for complete hair loss.
Prognosis
Impact on Lifestyle
Extra Facts
- There are two types; mild or Alopecia Areata and extreme or Alopecia Areata Totalis or Universalis
- Scientists are studying stem cells in the skin to learn more about Alopecia Areata
- One in five people have it if someone else in their family has it
- It impacts 2% of the world population and about 4.5 million Americans
Learn More!
Works Cited
"Alopecia Areata - Prognosis." SparkPeople. Havard Health Publications, n.d. Web. 07 Apr. 2016. <http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/health_a-z_detail.asp?AZ=20&Page=8>
"Alopecia Areata." Alopecia Areata. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Apr. 2016. <https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-and-scalp-problems/alopecia-areata>
"Alopecia Areata Causes, Treatments, Symptoms." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 07 Apr. 2016. <http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/alopecia-areata>
"Alopecia Areata Fact Sheet." Alopecia World. N.p., 05 July 2011. Web. 7 Apr. 2016. <http://www.alopeciaworld.com/profiles/blogs/alopecia-areata-fact-sheet>
"Alopecia Areata." Fast Facts About. N.p., Apr. 2015. Web. 07 Apr. 2016. <http://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/Alopecia_Areata/alopecia_areata_ff.asp>
Bolduc, Chantal, Dr. "Alopecia Areata." : Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology. N.p., 20 Mar. 2015. Web. 07 Apr. 2016. <http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1069931-overview>
Rivers, Autumn, and Jacquelyn Cafasso. "Alopecia Areata." Healthline. N.p., 08 Jan. 2016. Web. 07 Apr. 2016. <http://www.healthline.com/health/alopecia-areata#Overview1>
"Treatments for Alopecia Areata." Treatments for Alopecia Areata. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Apr. 2016. <https://www.naaf.org/alopecia-areata/alopecia-areata-treatments>