Is Alopecia Hair Loss Irreversible?
Some authorities estimate that two out of a hundred suffer with alopecia hair loss in one of its forms. The hair loss can range from small bald patches on one end of the scale to hair loss on the scalp, or even total body hair loss on the other end of the scale.
The biggest questions people have about alopecia hair loss are answered below:
Just what is a definition of alopecia hair loss?
Alopecia is pronounced al-oh-PEE-shah with the emphasis on PEE, the third syllable. Alopecia specifically refers to “partial or complete hair loss.” Alopecia Areata is the full title and this is often followed by other words or phrases to indicate which part of the body is affected and to what extent.
Multilocularis: Multiple bald spots on the head
Barbae: Bald areas affecting just the beard
Totalis: Hair loss on the whole head and scalp
Universalis: No body hair at all
How does a person get Alopecia hair loss?
This condition is not limited to a particular segment of the population. It can affect males and females of all ages and races. Heredity can play a role it appears, as 20% of individuals with the condition have family members who suffer with alopecia hair loss.
Interestingly though, records show that the parents of most of the children who suffer with alopecia hair loss did not have it themselves. And the reverse is also true, the majority of children whose parents suffer with it did not have alopecia themselves.
Alopecia hair loss is not contagious. It is classified as an autoimmune diseases meaning the body’s natural defences can turn on itself. In this case, a virus or some other environmental factor, can trigger off the sequence of events which causes white blood cells to attack the cells in the hair follicle which cause hair to grow.
The question on most sufferers’ mind it “Will hair ever grow back”?
This varies from person to person. Here is a sampling of how different individuals are affected:
Even though their is regrowth, the hair may fall out later
The hair loss only affects a few patches, and then grows again for good
Hair is lost and then regrows with this sequence repeating itself over many years
In the majority of cases, the hair that regrows is the same color as the hair that was lost
Occasionally, a person might find that the hair that regrows is whitish in color. Eventually however it returns to the color of the original hair
So how can alopecia hair loss be remedied?
A variety of drugs are currently used which can have a positive effect on hair growth, although there is no ideal solution at this time. These include:
Minoxidil or Rogaine, an FDA approved drug for treating male and female pattern hair loss
Corticosteroids – strong drugs used to suppress the immune system
To cope with the change in appearance caused by alopecia hair loss, some sufferers use a variety of accessories including hats, scarves, clothing, cosmetics, or jewelry to skilfully camouflage the condition. Also, an organization worth noting is the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (alopeciaareata.com) which puts alopecia sufferers in touch with each other so they can exchange practical ideas, thoughts and suggestions by means of a message board system.
For answers to frequently asked questions about Minoxidil-Rogaine, click here: Hair Loss Rogaine? Develop a strategy for dealing with premature hair loss. Click here: Hair Loss Problem