What are the Alopecia types and how to treat them?

• Different types of alopecia

• What does alopecia look like?

• Common alopecia types in men

• Treatments for alopecia

• Takeaway

Alopecia is a general word for diseases that cause hair loss. Although it is not contagious, it can occasionally be an indication of other health issues. One of the more prevalent types of alopecia is the autoimmune illness alopecia areata. However, not all of them are connected to a unique immunological response. Some forms of alopecia have links to psychological issues that cause hair pulling in addition to genetic, lifestyle, and environmental variables. The same oral drugs and topical therapies may be used to treat various forms of alopecia. To stop hair loss in some alopecia forms, behavioural adjustments are required.

Different types of alopecia

Alopecia can result from anything that interferes with the healthy, normal cycle of hair development. Alopecia can affect people of any age, although some forms can be prevented. Your family history, age, gender, colour, and ethnicity can all affect your propensity to acquire alopecia. According to an analysis of alopecia prevalence by race, Asians have the lowest chances of developing the condition while African Americans have higher probabilities than white individuals. The main explanation, according to the researchers, was a confluence of genetics and health inequalities. The most typical forms of alopecia's causes and symptoms are listed below.

Alopecia areata's primary symptom is patchy hair loss, typically on the scalp. However, alopecia areata can also affect other parts of the body, including the brows and eyelashes. It is an autoimmune disease called alopecia areata. Similar to how the immune system might battle an illness, healthy hair follicles tiny, pocket-like holes in our skin are wrongly attacked by the body's immune system in alopecia areata. Hair loss happens when the follicles are injured. Alopecia of this kind frequently runs in families.

Alopecia Totalis is the term for the disorder where hair falls out completely from the scalp. It appears to be associated with a unique immune system reaction, like several other types of alopecia. However, scientists are currently looking for alopecia Totalis's precise reasons.

Alopecia Universalis, as its name suggests, is a disorder that causes total hair loss. This applies to the entire body, including the scalp. It is unknown why some people develop this ailment and others do not, similar to other autoimmune diseases.

Telogen effluvium is another name for diffuse alopecia areata. Your hair thins and eventually comes out in sporadic locations across the scalp as opposed to falling out in patches, which is how it differs from alopecia areata. Rarely, additional body parts may experience similar hair loss patterns. Severe stress, abrupt hormonal changes, and adverse drug reactions are among the causes.

Alopecia areata with Ophiasis primarily affects the sides and rear of the scalp. Young individuals are the predominant demographic affected by this autoimmune illness.

What does alopecia look like?

When the normal cycle of hair development is disrupted or stopped, alopecia results. Depending on the type or cause of alopecia, the hair loss pattern varies. The areas of the scalp where male and female pattern hair loss typically begins and progresses differ.

Common alopecia types in men

Men lose hair noticeably more frequently than women do. Hormonal factors, particularly low levels of the male sex hormone dihydrotestosterone, can cause male hair loss in addition to hereditary and immune system causes. Men are most frequently affected by the following types of alopecia:

• Areata alopecia
• Alopecia androgenica
• Baldness barbae

Treatments for alopecia

Prescription-strength The immune system can be suppressed and the harm to healthy hair follicles can be minimised by corticosteroids. Oral, topical, and injectable medicines are among these. Corticosteroids are most successful at treating the following types of alopecia:

• alopecia areata
• alopecia totalis
• alopecia Universalis
• CCCA
• lichen planopilaris
• Ophiasis alopecia
• persistent patchy alopecia areata

A relatively new method of promoting new hair growth is Microneedling. The procedure includes making tiny punctures in the scalp to stimulate the creation of collagen, a type of protein that can stimulate hair growth once more. The following types of alopecia are improved by micro-needling:

• alopecia areata
• androgenic alopecia
• Ophiasis alopecia

Minoxidil (Rogaine), a regularly used drug, is available without a prescription. It can be applied topically to regions where hair is thinning. The types of hair loss that minoxidil often treats the best include:

• alopecia areata
• CCCA
• diffuse alopecia areata
• Ophiasis alopecia
• persistent patchy alopecia areata

Takeaway

The majority of alopecia types progress at an irregular rate and without any prior warning. Hair growth can sometimes come back on its own. But frequently, therapy is required in an effort to promote healthy hair growth. Visit a dermatologist as soon as you detect hair loss anywhere on your body to explore your options. A mix of drugs and treatments may be necessary for a successful outcome. However, if you have a little patience, you might be able to stop additional hair loss and regrow some of those lost locks. And if that isn't a possibility, a dermatologist might be able to suggest wigs, hair restoration treatments, or other alternatives.