What is Alopecia Areata?

Increasing your understanding of Alopecia Areata will help you identify the most effective ways to deal with this distressing condition.

Alopecia Areata is a condition that's indicated by patchy alopecia over the scalp or body. It can take many forms from a single patch to total body baldness ( Alopecia Universalis ). The condition is reasonably common, inspiring as much as one in one thousand folk at any specified time.

This is often a particularly unsettling condition for sufferers, especially as its cause could be tricky to identify. On a more positive note, many cases are incontrovertibly linked to disequilibria in the person's immune response that, once identified, can be handled efficiently. Usually the hair will reappear on its own but some patients may develop more extraordinary differences leading to loss of eyebrows and lashes ( Alopecia Totalis ) or total body alopecia ( Alopecia Universalis ).

Diagnosis of Alopecia Areata

In order to correctly diagnose Alopecia Areata it is important to do two things:

1. Visit your doctor.

2. Undergo a series of blood tests.

In the first instance it is best to seek the advice of your family doctor who may refer you to a specialist dermatologist in your area. Your physician will undertake an assessment to ensure that your hair loss is not being caused by an underlying illness.

It is important that you undergo a series of blood tests to check levels of hormones such as DHEA, testosterone, prolactin, androstenedione and thyroid stimulating hormone. Your physician may also want to test for levels of serum iron and conduct a complete blood count.

Without these tests it will be impossible for any physician to accurately diagnose your condition and subsequently recommend an appropriate treatment regime. If your doctor refuses, see another one or make your own arrangements for a Hormone Test.

Treatments for Alopecia Areata

The treatment selected depends on the causes identified by your blood tests as these problems must be rectified first. Once the source causes have been treated, or in instances where the bloodwork has revealed no obvious causes, the following treatments may be useful in stimulating hair growth:

1. Daily application of Minoxidil

2. Injection of cortisone into patchy areas of scalp. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MUST BE ADMINISTERED BY A PHYSICIAN.

In more severe forms of Alopecia Areata successful treatment may prove problematic. In the case of those suffering from Alopecia Universalis for example, the causes may not be known and the condition may be short-lived or remain permanently.

Despite the claims of some unscrupulous companies or individuals, there are no miracle cures for advanced forms of Alopecia Areata and sufferers may wish to consider other options such as head coverings or Wigs.