You must have been very worried when you suddenly noticed that your or your little one's hair is falling out in circles in some places? Perhaps you have noticed that when you bathe or comb your hair, you notice that there is more hair falling out than usual. What is this really? Is it something to be afraid of? Today we are talking about a condition called 'Alopecia Areata' in medical science, which can answer many questions that come to mind at such times.
What exactly is 'Alopecia Areata'?
Simply put, Alopecia Areata is a condition in which we suddenly lose hair on our scalp, and sometimes on other parts of our body, such as our eyebrows and eyelashes. This causes hair to fall out in patches, often in a circular pattern, leaving the scalp exposed.
The best thing is, this is not a contagious disease. That means you can't spread it to anyone else. Most of the time, people who get this condition are generally healthy. So there's no need to worry too much about it.
How do you recognize the symptoms of this?
Although this condition mainly affects the hair, sometimes you can also see some changes in the nails. Let's see what they are.
Let's learn about hair growth.
- Sudden onset: Most of the time, it starts suddenly. You'll notice round, smooth bald patches appearing in one or more areas of your scalp.
- Complete hair loss on the scalp: Some people can lose their entire head of hair. However, this is a rare occurrence . So don't be afraid that just because you see a patch or two in one place, you'll lose all your hair.
- Hair regrowth: A comforting fact for many people is that even without treatment, the hair that has been lost will start to grow back within a few months.
- Changes in new hair: When your hair first comes in, it may be a little thinner, perhaps even whiter. But over time, your hair will usually return to its original color.
- Recurrence: Some people may have hair loss that comes back and then comes back again. It may be in the same places where the hair was before, or it may be in new places. But most of the time, the hair will come back. Very rarely, that is, in a very small number of cases, does the hair not grow back.
Can you see changes in your nails too?
Yes, some people with Alopecia Areata may also notice changes in their nails. These are the main symptoms:
- Small white spots may appear on the nails.
- The surface of the nail may appear pitted, grooved , or rough .
- Nails may become thin and break easily .
Why is this happening? What is the reason for this?
This can actually happen to anyone at any age, of any race. There is no difference between girls and boys. 'Alopecia Areata' is an autoimmune disease .
You might be thinking, "Oh, what's that?" Simply put, it's like this:
Our body has an immune system to protect us from diseases, right? Just like soldiers protecting our country. In an ``Autoimmune Disorder``, what happens is that our own defense system goes haywire. Then that system recognizes our own healthy cells, in this case the hair follicles , as an enemy. Then it starts attacking them. This attack causes inflammation around the hair follicles, temporarily stopping hair growth.
Imagine, what's happening here is like a dog in our own house, not recognizing us and biting us. That's why the hair is falling out.
How does a doctor accurately diagnose Alopecia Areata?
If you or your child has any of these symptoms, it's best to see a doctor. He or she will do the following to diagnose the condition:
- Medical history and family details: You will be asked about your medical history and whether anyone in your family has had this type of hair loss before, as it can sometimes run in families.
- Examination: The hairline is carefully examined. The nails are also examined.
- Examination with a special instrument: Sometimes the doctor can use a special instrument, such as a ``Dermatoscope``, to examine the hair follicles and the condition of the hair follicles in more depth.
Only after these tests can a doctor say for sure whether this is 'Alopecia Areata' or whether the hair loss is due to another cause.
What are the treatments for this?
If your doctor confirms that your child has Alopecia Areata, he or she may refer you to a dermatologist, a doctor who specializes in skin, hair, and nails.
But remember this too:
In most cases, no special treatment is required for Alopecia Areata. As mentioned earlier, the hair grows back naturally.
However, there are some treatments that can help hair grow back a little faster:
- Topical Steroids: These are the most commonly used treatments. Steroid creams or lotions applied to the scalp can help hair grow back faster.
- Steroid Injections and Oral Medications: For older children, i.e. younger children, doctors may sometimes recommend steroid injections or oral medications given directly to the scalp.
The most important thing is that these treatments cannot completely cure Alopecia Areata. But they can help hair grow back. Also, it is important to remember that hair loss can occur again, whether or not it is treated.
The most important things to keep in mind
When talking about Alopecia Areata, there are a few things to keep in mind that will help you feel more comfortable:
- This is not a contagious disease.
- This is due to a slight confusion in your own immune system, and not through any fault of yours.
- Most of the time , hair grows back on its own. It may take a while, but keep hoping.
- This won't cause any major damage to your life. But losing your hair can be a bit difficult mentally. That's why it's important to talk to people who support you, and to talk to a doctor.
- If you have any concerns about your hair loss, be sure to see a doctor. That way, you can find out exactly what's going on and get appropriate advice if needed.
So, if you or someone you know has a similar situation, it's best not to panic, keep these facts in mind, and seek medical advice if necessary.
` Alopecia Areata, Hair loss, Hair loss, Baldness, Children's hair, Autoimmune diseases, Skin diseases
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