Introduction In basic terms, alopecia is a term used in medical circles to refer to baldness. With that in mind, it can be noted that alopecia areata is just one of the many conditions associated with hair loss. In most cases, the condition is occasioned by some round patches of bald spots in the affected individual's head. In some cases, affected individuals can experience total hair loss. In this text, I will discuss the condition and amongst other things highlight its causes, symptoms and treatment. Alopecia Areata The Causes According to Gaspari and Tyring, "alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease of the hair follicle and nail matrix" (699). Alopecia areata is believed to be triggered by an immune system abnormality. It is this abnormality that eventually brings about or occasions autoimmunity. In a normal individual's body, various germs entering the body including but not limited to viruses and bacteria are attacked by antibodies as well as lymphocytes made by the body's own immune system (Marshall Cavendish Corporation 40). However, for those individuals with an autoimmune condition like alopecia areata, some parts of their body are identified as being foreign by the immune system. Most particularly; for those with alopecia areata, the immune system identifies some hair roots as being foreign. In such a case, quite a number of lymphocytes end up congregating/gathering around the hair follicles affected. The inflammation that results in this case, though
This is not known for sure if this is what alopecia areata is. It is a hypothesis, it’s based on certain antigens in the hair follicle. Many reports and printouts I came across kept saying, “the etiology of alopecia areata is entirely unknown"(e.g. Price 1991, Parret 1984, Paus 1993). According to (editorial 1984) evidence hair loss is a result of immune system activity. Which is then classified as an autoimmunity. This evidence is based on observations of an immune cell in and around the hair follicles (Parret 1984) and the knowledge that some
Hair loss and hair thinning can be a major issue for both men and women. Our hair serves as our crown every day, representing our style and personality. In women, hair care is very important since the old days. Maintaining good hair is now a growing trend in older women to avert negative image of aging.
The challenges of elementary, middle, and high school accumulate and progress through the years. One of them being social status and appearance. I for one, had fallen to the bottom of the totem pole. I was considered a bulls-eye, targeted by those that wished to shower me with arrows in the form of harsh words and taunts. I was an outcast, rejected from the norm. Although laborious, I climbed up the totem thanks to achieve strength and confidence.
My daughter was a year and a half when she was diagnosed with Alopecia areata. “Alopecia areata is considered an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system, which is designed to protect the body from foreign invaders such as viruses and bacteria, mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, the structures from which hairs grow. This can lead to hair loss on the scalp and elsewhere” (https://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Alopecia_Areata/default.asp). Alopecia areata is not a life threatening disease but it is a traumatic disease.
What is Alopecia Areata and can I get it? Alopecia Areata, by definition, is a sudden loss of hair that generally begins with one or more circular bald spots that can potentially overlap. Alopecia Areata is very common; it affects 4.6 million people in the United States (Mackay-Wiggan 31). It is one of the most common autoimmune diseases in the world, making it more common than diabetes! Everyone and anyone can be affected by Alopecia: men, women, and all races. There is no known information on how frequently Alopecia Areata essentially appears. From my experience of seeing my brother deal with Alopecia Areata, I’ve learned to be proud of who I am and most importantly, be confident about myself and while others may not experience the
Children are just as susceptible to traction alopecia as adults are. The causes of traction alopecia in children are similar to grown ups. Hairstyles such as pigtails, cornrows and braiding the hair can cause hair loss in kids. When a child's hair is repeatedly styled tightly, over a period of time hair follicles become damaged and incapable of producing healthy hairs. The hair follicle may become so damaged that it stops producing hairs altogether. Hair loss occurs in the areas of the scalp that are pulled the most, usually at the front hair line, the nape of the neck and crown.
Hair loss is more common than people think. Alopecia is a generic term that means losing hair and there are a few different, specific types of alopecia. Alopecia Totalis is one type.
The integumentary system consists of skin, hair, glands, and nerves protecting someone’s body. There are many diseases of the integumentary system, two of these diseases include alopecia areata (AA) and vitiligo. Alopecia is a disease causing partial or complete baldness in certain areas of the body where hair normally grows. It only affects one percent of the population. On the other hand, vitiligo is a disease causing the loss of pigmentation in certain areas of the skin looking like white patches. Neither of the diseases are completely understood by doctors and scientists, but it is scientists believe that autoimmune thyroid disease is more common among both alopecia areata and vitiligo patients.
Valeo, T. (2010, August 25). New studies explore the root of hair loss. The St. Petersburg Times.
Male pattern baldness is an issue for millions of men across the country. In fact, a growing number of men go completely bald or experience slight male pattern baldness in their twenties. Certainly, this problem affects their self esteem and confidence. A scalp aesthetics review on a new process reports that the scalp micropigmentation procedure does offer some hope to men experiencing male pattern baldness. This is a procedure that is effective for a wide variety of people suffering with hair loss. The founders of this process also offer scalp micropigmentation training too.
Alopecia like many things started out small meaning individuals didn’t know much about it. Even now people still don’t understand every factor Et. Al’s Frey, Rebecca J. (2016). A great number of people lose hair from this, but that’s only a minor effect of this disease Et. Al’s Frey, Rebecca J. (2016). Alopecia is the loss of hair whether it’s total loss, thinning, human or animal Heath, R., Chapman, M., Flavell, L., Woodrow, W., & Howles, L. (2009). The loss of hair is caused by many things such as genetics, harsh chemotherapy, malnutrition and simply stress Et. Al’s Frey, Rebecca J. (2016).
Due to the impact of harmful chemicals, unhealthy lifestyle, stress, and lack of care, hair loss became a common problem for everyone. Many people complain about heavy hair fall as the majority of them suffer from Alopecia disease which is an autoimmune disease. On the other hand, the appearance of acne scars, wrinkles, pimples, & red marks are the major skin complications. Many medical Aesthetic clinics in Foxboro, Walpole, Sharon, Norwood, Franklin, Wrentham, Midway, Bellingham, Mansfield, Blackstone, Dedham and Westwood regions
treatments to treat hair thinning and male or female pattern baldness. Ranging from PRP, mesotherapy to FUE, FUT
The results were compared with the results from hair samples of individuals who were struggling with other medical
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common worldwide problem. It is manifested by progressive hair loss in scalp hair, and has specific patterns of hair loss in women versus men, but central scalp is most severely affected (Varothai and Bergfeld , 2014).