Alopecia refers to balding or hair loss. This condition is not reserved for hair loss that people experience on the scalp but can occur at any part of the body. The condition does not strike people of only a single nationality or age group. It can affect anyone at any point.
Alopecia comes in several types. Some types of this condition cause only temporary hair loss. However, in some other types, a person can experience a severe form of permanent hair loss. The best treatment for alopecia areata can only be ascertained after determining the cause of this condition.
What Are the Causes of Alopecia?
- Genetics – Androgenic alopecia, also called female or male pattern baldness, commonly affects the scalp. This condition is genetic, which leads the hair follicles to become smaller and generate lesser hair.
- Medication, injury, and stress – Medication, injury, and stress can cause Telogen effluvium. In this condition, a person sheds a large amount of hair and also experiences hair thinning.
- Chemotherapy – Due to chemotherapy, a condition called anagen effluvium occurs. It is an abrupt hair loss that happens during the stage of hair growth.
- Scalp scarring or tension – Scalp scarring or tension can lead to traumatic alopecia. An example of this kind of alopecia is trichotillomania. It is a behaviour disorder that causes people to pull out their hair.
The best treatment for alopecia areata can help slow down the hair loss and stimulate new hair growth.
How to Manage Alopecia Areata?
● Avoid scalp trauma
Hair trauma arises from several things like using too many chemicals, over washing the hair, and excessive use of styling tools. There is a need to be extra gentle with your hair when they are wet. The less trauma you give to your hair and scalp, the higher are your chances of retaining your hair.
● Minimize stress
If you find yourself stressed out more than usual, you will be at a higher risk of losing hair. If a person consistently experiences high levels of stress, their alopecia aggravates. If you observe yourself getting stressed out more than you should, then it is a good idea to pinpoint the exact cause of stress so that you can remove it.
● Avail a corticosteroid treatment
Many people hail a Corticosteroid treatment as the best treatment for alopecia areata. This treatment is administered to the person suffering from alopecia through an injection on the scalp. Alternatively, people can also receive it in the form of a topical cream. This treatment speeds up hair growth and prevents future hair loss.
● Focus on improving the diet
Many people suffer hair loss due to the deficiency of some or the other nutrient in their diet. Examine your diet and determine whether you lack any nutrient or consume too much of one nutrient. If it seems impossible to analyze your diet, then you can take a blood test to find out about those nutrients which you may be lacking. Foods like fruits and vegetables, beans, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, and fish promote hair growth.
Alopecia areata, especially when diagnosed at an early age, can adversely impact a person’s self-confidence. The condition can be effectively managed by availing the best treatment for alopecia areata as early as possible.
