ARBUTI | Hair loss | Circular hair loss

Circular hair loss: Everything you need to know. "Alopecia Areata"

Circular hair loss, also called alopecia areata, is a condition: Here are the causes, symptoms and diagnosis.

Circular hair loss

What is Circular Hair Loss?

Circular hair loss or alopecia areata is a condition where hair falls out in small patches, which may go unnoticed. However, these patches can coalesce and then become noticeable. The condition develops when the immune system attacks the hair follicles, resulting in hair loss.

Sudden hair loss can occur on the scalp and in some cases on the eyebrows, eyelashes and face, as well as on other parts of the body. It can also develop slowly and reappear after years between instances.

The condition can lead to total hair loss, called alopecia universalis, and it can prevent hair from growing back. When hair does grow back, it can fall out again. The extent of hair loss and regrowth varies from person to person.

Currently, there is no cure for alopecia areata. However, there are treatments that can help hair grow back faster and prevent future hair loss, as well as unique ways to cover up hair loss. There are also resources available to help people cope with Stress in connection with hair loss.

Treatment

There is no known cure for circular hair loss (alopecia areata), but there are treatments you can try to slow down future hair loss or regrow hair faster.

The condition is difficult to predict, which means that a lot of trial and error may be needed before you find something that works for you. For some people, hair loss can get worse even with treatment.

Medical treatment

There is no known cure for circular hair loss (alopecia areata), but there are treatments you can try to slow down future hair loss or regrow hair faster.

The condition is difficult to predict, which means that a lot of trial and error may be needed before you find something that works for you. For some people, hair loss can get worse even with treatment.

Topical agents

You can rub medication into your scalp to stimulate hair growth. There are a number of medications available, both over-the-counter and prescription:

  • Minoxidil (Regaine) is available OTC and is applied twice a day to the scalp, eyebrows and beard. It is relatively safe, but it can take a year to show results. There is only evidence that it is useful for people with limited alopecia areata.
  • Anthralin (Dritho scalp) is a drug that irritates the skin to promote hair regrowth.
  • Corticosteroid creams such as clobetasol (Impoyz), foams, lotions and ointments are thought to work by reducing inflammation in the Hair Follicle work.
  • Topical immunotherapy is a technique in which a chemical such as diphencyprone is applied to the skin to trigger an allergic rash. The rash, which resembles poison oak, can develop within six months to new Hair Growth lead. However, you must continue the treatment to maintain regrowth.

Injections

Steroid injections are a common option for mild patchy alopecia to regrow hair in bald patches. Tiny needles inject the steroid into the bare skin of the affected areas.

The treatment must be repeated every one to two months to regrow the hair. It does not prevent new hair loss from occurring.

Oral treatments

Cortisone tablets are sometimes used for extensive alopecia. However, due to the possibility of side effects, you should discuss this option with a doctor.

Oral immunosuppressants such as methotrexate and cyclosporine are another option you can try. They block the immune system's response, but can be dangerous because of the risk of side effects such as high blood pressure, liver and kidney damage, and an increased risk of serious infections and a type of cancer called lymphoma.

Light therapy

Light therapy is also called photochemotherapy or phototherapy. It is a type of radiation that uses a combination of an oral medication called psoralens and UV light.

Natural treatment

Some people with alopecia areata choose alternative therapies to treat the condition. These can be:

  • Aromatherapy
  • Acupuncture
  • Microneedling
  • Probiotics
  • Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
  • Hair Growth Serum
  • Vitamins like zinc and Biotin
  • Aloe Vera drinks and topical gels
  • Onion juice rubbed onto the scalp
  • essential oils such as tea tree, rosemary, lavender and peppermint
  • other oils such as coconut, castor, olive and jojoba
  • An "anti-inflammatory" diet, also known as an "autoimmune protocol". This is a restrictive diet that mainly includes meat and
  • Vegetables include
  • Scalp massage
  • Herbal supplements such as ginseng, green tea, Chinese hibiscus and Saw palmetto

Most alternative therapies have not been tested in clinical trials, so their effectiveness in treating hair loss is unknown.

In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require supplement manufacturers to prove that their products are safe. Sometimes the information on supplement labels is inaccurate or misleading. Always talk to a doctor before trying herbal or vitamin supplements.

The effectiveness of each treatment varies from person to person. Some people do not need treatment because their hair grows back on its own. In other cases, however, people see no improvement even though they have tried every treatment option.

You may need to try more than one treatment to notice a difference. Remember that hair regrowth may only be temporary. It is possible for the hair to grow back and then fall out again.

Causes of Circular Hair Loss

Circular hair loss is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system mistakes healthy cells for foreign substances. Normally, the immune system defends your body for foreign invaders like viruses and bacteria.

However, if you suffer from circular hair loss, your immune system is mistakenly attacking your hair follicles. Hair follicles are the structures from which hair grows. The follicles become smaller and no longer produce hair, resulting in hair loss.

The researchers do not know the exact cause of this condition.

However, it is most common in people who have a family history of other autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis. For this reason, some scientists suspect that genetics may contribute to the development of circular hair loss.

They also believe that certain factors in the environment are required to trigger alopecia areata in people who are genetically predisposed to it.

Symptoms of Circular Hair Loss

The main symptom of circular hair loss is, of course, hair loss. The hair usually falls out in small patches on the scalp. These patches are often several centimetres or less.

Hair loss can also occur in other parts of the face, such as the eyebrows, eyelashes and beard, as well as other parts of the body. Some people lose hair in a few places. Others lose it in many places.

You may first notice tufts of hair on your pillow or in the shower. If the patches are on the back of your head, someone may point them out to you. However, other health conditions can also cause hair to fall out in a similar pattern. Hair loss alone is not used to diagnose alopecia areata.

In rare cases, some people may experience more severe hair loss. This is usually an indication of another type of alopecia, such as

  • Alopecia totalis, i.e. the loss of all hair on the scalp
  • Alopecia universalis, i.e. the loss of all hair on the entire body

Doctors might avoid using the terms "totalis" and "universalis" as some people may experience something in between the two. It is possible to lose all the hair on the arms, legs and scalp, but not on the chest.

The hair loss associated with alopecia areata is unpredictable and, as far as doctors and researchers can tell, seems to be spontaneous. The hair can grow back at any time and then fall out again. The extent of hair loss and regrowth varies greatly from person to person.

Circular hair loss in men

Alopecia areata occurs in both men and women, but hair loss is likely to be more significant in men. Men are also more likely to have a family history of hair loss.

Men can have hair loss in the facial hair as well as in the scalp, chest and back hair. Compared to male pattern baldness, where the hair gradually thins, Causes hair loss spotty hair loss due to this condition.

Circular hair loss in women

Women develop circular hair loss more often than men, but it is not clear why. The hair loss can occur on the scalp as well as on the eyebrows and eyelashes.

Unlike female pattern hair loss, which is a gradual thinning of hair covering a large area, circular hair loss can be confined to a small area. The hair loss may also occur all at once. The area may gradually expand, resulting in more hair loss.

Circular hair loss in children

Children can develop circular hair loss. In fact, most people with this condition experience their first hair loss before the age of 30.

While alopecia areata has a hereditary component, parents with this condition do not always pass it on to a child. Similarly, children with this type of hair loss may not have a parent who has it.

In addition to hair loss, children may have nail defects such as pitting or lesions. This additional symptom can also occur in adults, but it is more common in children.

According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation children under 5 years of age usually do not have much emotional impact from alopecia. However, after the age of 5, hair loss can be traumatic for young children as they notice how they differ from others.

If your child seems stressed or depressed, ask a paediatrician to recommend a counsellor experienced with children.

Species

There are different types of circular hair loss. Each type is characterised by the extent of hair loss and other symptoms that may occur. Each type may also have a slightly different treatment and prognosis.

Alopecia areata (patchy)

The main feature of this type of circular hair loss is one or more coin-sized patches of hair loss on the skin or body. If this condition expands, it can become alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis.

Alopecia totalis

Alopecia totalis occurs when you have hair loss over the entire scalp.

Alopecia universalis

People with this type of alopecia areata not only lose hair on the scalp, but also all the hair on the face - eyebrows and eyelashes. It is also possible to lose other body hair, including chest, back and pubic hair.

Diffuse alopecia areata

Diffuse hair loss can be very similar according to female or male pattern. This leads to sudden and unexpected hair loss on the entire scalp, not just in one area or patch.

Ophiasis alopecia

Hair loss that follows a band along the sides and lower back of the scalp is called ophiasis alopecia.

Circular hair loss prognosis

The prognosis for alopecia areata is different for each person. It is also unpredictable.

Once you develop this autoimmune disease, you may live with hair loss and other associated symptoms for the rest of your life. However, some people may only suffer from hair loss once.

The same variation applies to recovery: some people experience complete hair regrowth. Others do not like it. They may even experience additional hair loss.

In people with alopecia areata, poor outcomes are associated with several factors:

  • early morbidity
  • extensive hair loss
  • Nail change
  • Family history
  • with multiple autoimmune diseases

How to deal with circular hair loss

Circular hair loss can be emotionally challenging, especially when hair loss affects the entire scalp. People with this condition may feel isolated or become depressed.

It is important to remember that more than 5 million people in the US suffer from alopecia areata. You are not alone. There are lifestyle changes you can make to help manage the condition.

If you are looking for help with wigs, eyelash extensions or eyebrow stencils, the National Alopecia Areata Foundation maintains an online shop with hair accessories and products. Wig companies like Godiva's Secret Wigs also offer online videos and tutorials to help with styling and maintenance.

Active teenagers and young adults with completely bald heads can attach suction cups to wigs and hairpieces to prevent the wig from falling off during sports.

New wig technologies such as the silicon and suction-based vacuum wig even allow people with alopecia to swim with their wigs. However, vacuum wigs are typically more expensive.

If hair loss affects the eyebrows, you should consult a Eyebrow pencilConsider microblading and eyebrow tattoos.

  • Microblading is a semi-permanent tattooing technique that fills in the eyebrows with hair-like strokes. It looks more natural than traditional eyebrow tattoos and lasts one to three years.
  • YouTube is full of make-up tutorials on filling in and styling your eyebrows. Both women and men who are losing their eyebrows can practice filling them in with real video tutorials like this one.
  • Eyelash extensions are difficult to apply if you don't have a surface for them to adhere to. However, you can find some tutorials online on how to apply eyelash extensions if you don't have your own eyelashes.

How is circular hair loss diagnosed?

A doctor may be able to diagnose circular hair loss simply by examining the extent of your hair loss and examining some hair samples under a microscope.

Your doctor may also perform a scalp biopsy to rule out other conditions that cause hair loss, including fungal infections like tinea capitis. During a scalp biopsy, your doctor will remove a small piece of skin on your scalp for analysis.

Blood tests can be done if other autoimmune diseases are suspected.

The specific blood test depends on the disorder suspected by the doctor. However, a doctor will probably test for the presence of one or more abnormal antibodies. If these antibodies are found in your blood, it usually means that you have an autoimmune disease.

Other blood tests that can help rule out other conditions include the following:

  • C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate
  • Iron content
  • antinuclear antibody test
  • Thyroid hormones
  • Free and total testosterone
  • Follicle stimulating and luteinising hormone

Nutrition

Foods with sugar, processed snacks and alcohol can increase inflammation and irritation in the body.

Some people diagnosed with an autoimmune disease may consider an "anti-inflammatory" diet. This type of diet plan is designed to help reduce the autoimmune response in the body and reduce the likelihood of another hair loss episode or hair loss.

To do this, eat foods that are known to ease the inflammatory process. The staples of this diet, also known as the autoimmune protocol, are fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, nuts, seeds, broccoli, beets and lean meats such as wild-caught salmon.

A balanced diet - one with whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean meats - has a positive effect on your overall health for many reasons, not just to reduce inflammation.

Prevent Circular Hair Loss

Circular hair loss cannot be prevented because the cause is unknown.

This autoimmune disease can be the result of several factors. These include a family history, other autoimmune diseases and even other skin conditions. But not everyone with any of these factors will develop the hair condition. Therefore, it is not yet possible to prevent it.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

What is the cause of circular hair loss?

The cause of circular hair loss is probably an autoimmune reaction. This means that the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own cells. In the case of circular hair loss, the attacked cells are located in the Hair follicles especially in the follicles within the scalp.

Is circular hair loss permanent?

Circular hair loss is a particular form of hair loss that usually affects the scalp but can occur on any hair-bearing skin. In most patients, the condition disappears within a year without treatment, but hair loss is sometimes permanent. Many treatments are known to help hair regrowth.

Does zinc help with alopecia areata?

There is no significant evidence that zinc supplementation can help slow or reverse hair loss in men. However, there is evidence that it can help with certain types of hair loss, including alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease.

What are the stages of circular hair loss?

Patchy circular hair loss consists of three stages. The bald patches may have a smooth surface, completely without hair or with scattered exclamation marks. Exclamation mark hairs are 2 to 3 mm long, broken or tapered, with a club-shaped root.

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