Alopecia areata, also known as spot baldness, is an autoimmune disease in which hair is lost from some or all areas of the body. Usually, the hair loss occurs from the scalp due to the body’s failure to recognize its own body cells and subsequent destruction of its own tissue as if it were an invader. It usually causes small, coin-sized, round patches of baldness on the scalp, although hair elsewhere such as the beard, eyebrows, eyelashes, body, and limbs can be affected. Occasionally it can involve the whole scalp (alopecia totalis) or even the entire body and scalp (alopecia universalis). It is not possible to predict how much hair will be lost. Regrowth of hair in typical alopecia areata is usually over a period of months or sometimes years, but cannot be guaranteed. The hair sometimes regrows white, at least in the first instance. Further hair loss is not uncommon. In alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis, the likelihood of total regrowth is less. Epidemiology Androgenic alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss in males. The overall incidence in Caucasian men may be as high as 96% or more, but the exact prevalence is unknown. Estimates should include the ages for which the estimate has been generated and the degree of hair loss. Caucasian men aged 20 to 40 years have bitemporal recession in 62% of cases. In men aged 18 to 49 years, the incidence of hair loss measured as type III or greater on the well-accepted Hamilton-Norwood hair loss rating scale is estimated to be at least 42%. Within the ages 40 to 49 years, however, 53% are estimated to have moderate-to-extensive hair loss. Types Alopecia areata (patchy) Alopecia areata (patchy) is the form with one or more coin-sized (usually round or oval) patches on the scalp or other places on the body that grow hair. This type may convert into either alopecia totalis (hair loss across the entire scalp) or alopecia universalis (hair loss across the entire body), but most commonly it remains patchy. Persistent patchy alopecia areata Persistent patchy alopecia areata is characterized by patchy scalp hair loss that continues over a long period of time without ever developing into extensive alopecia areata such as totalis or universalis. Alopecia totalis Alopecia totalis results in hair loss across the entire scalp. Alopecia universalis Alopecia universalis is more advanced than alopecia totalis. This type results in hair loss across the entire scalp and face (including eyebrows and eyelashes), plus the rest of the body (including pubic hair). Other forms of alopecia areata Diffuse alopecia areata Diffuse alopecia areata results in sudden and unexpected thinning of the hair all over the scalp. It can be hard to diagnose because it looks a lot like other forms of hair loss such as telogen effluvium or male or female pattern hair loss. Ophiasis alopecia Ophiasis alopecia areata has a unique pattern of hair loss, which includes the sides and lower back of the scalp (called the occipital region) in the shape of a band. Ophiasis alopecia areata can be more difficult to treat because it does not respond as quickly to medication. Risk factors Genetics: If your parents have the history of alopecia or any atopic disorder, you are at a high risk of suffering from Alopecia Areata. The family history of autoimmune disorders like SLE, RA, etc. also elevate the risk of developing Alopecia during your lifetime. Hair care and styling: Use of the harsh chemical through shampoos, hair coloring products or hair styling habits like using hair dryers can also increase the likelihood of Alopecia since these are found to be stressful to your hair & scalp. Stress: Any exposure to unusual stressful factors like extreme weather conditions, etc. Emotional stress leading to use of anti-depressants or other medication increase the probability of getting Alopecia disorder. Vaccination: Sometimes, particularly in children Alopecia is seen to develop post vaccination. Viral infections: Viral infections can trigger alopecia areata. Vit D deficiency: A study confirms that individuals with low levels of Vit D are at high risk of developing alopecia. Causes So tiny cells in the immune system, called T cells, gather around the base of a hair follicle and try to kill it. This causes the hair to fall out. But at some point, the immune attack must come to an end and the hair grows back. Alopecia areata can be triggered by a recent illness, like a viral infection, or by taking certain medications for other medical conditions. Some people can link the onset of their alopecia to a stressful life event, but many can’t. Sometimes it seems to run in families and it has been known to come on in twins at the same time. More often than not, no cause is found at all. If you have alopecia areata you also have a slightly higher-than-average chance of developing other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disorders, pernicious anemia and vitiligo. Your doctor may wish to check for these if there are any signs of them along with the hair loss. Symptoms There are different Alopecia causes, but there are certain common signs and symptoms which can lead you to find an Alopecia Areata cure. Sudden loss of hair is defined, usually small round patches in the beginning. Coin-sized patches of hair begin to fall. Excessive hair-fall even on touch, or clumps of hair left on the pillow or in the shower. Bald patches spread rapidly, and hair growth may be affected in other body areas including eyelashes and beard, for example. A burning sensation or crawling sensation or itching on the scalp or the body area before hair loss. Chronic or extensive alopecia sometimes can be associated with pitting of nails. Complications Alopecia areata patients are at risk for psychosocial consequences of their disease, such as depression and anxiety. They should be assessed for atopy, vitiligo, thyroid disease, and other autoimmune conditions. Diagnosis and test Generally, dermatologist treats alopecia areata. They are doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of problems related to skin, its structure, functions, and diseases, as well as its peripheral (nails, hair, sweat glands). Hair loss alone should not be considered to diagnose alopecia areata. There are other types of diseases as well that might cause hair to fall out similar to alopecia areata The typical diagnosis procedure includes Hair analysis and Blood tests Hair analysis Doctors might examine a few hair samples using a microscope Doctors might also perform a scalp biopsy to ensure that hair loss is not due to other conditions including fungal infections As part of scalp biopsy, doctors might even remove a small piece of skin on the scalp for a more detailed analysis Blood tests If other autoimmune conditions are suspected for hair, then doctors might suggest blood tests to be done Doctors would like to test for the presence of one or more abnormal antibodies because if these autoantibodies are found in the blood, it confirms that there is an autoimmune disorder in the body There are other blood tests that can be of help to rule out hair loss due to other conditions like the antinuclear antibody test, testing the iron levels and thyroid hormones test Treatment and medications There is not yet any reliable cure for alopecia areata and other forms of autoimmune hair loss. Because spontaneous regrowth is common in alopecia areata, and research has often been of poor quality, the effectiveness of reported treatments is mostly unknown. Topical treatments Several topical treatments used for alopecia areata are reported to result in temporary improvement in some people. Their role and efficacy are unknown. The hair may fall out when they are stopped. These include: Potent or ultrapotent topical steroids Minoxidil solution or foam Dithranol (anthralin) ointment Intralesional corticosteroid injections Injections of triamcinolone acetonide 2.5–10 mg/ml into patchy scalp, beard or eyebrow alopecia areata may speed up regrowth of hair. Its effect is temporary. If bald patches reappear, they can be reinjected. Systemic corticosteroids Oral and pulse intravenous steroids in high dose can lead to temporary regrowth of hair. Most physicians agree that long-term systemic steroid treatment is not justified because of potential and actual adverse effects. Immunotherapy The sensitizing agent’s diphenylcyclopropenone (diphencyprone) and dinitrochlorobenzene provoke contact allergic dermatitis in treated areas. These sensitizers can be reapplied once weekly to bald areas on the scalp. The resultant dermatitis is irritating and may be unsightly. It is often accompanied by a swollen lymph gland. Other treatments A combination of the lipid-lowering agent’s simvastatin and ezetimibe (which have immunomodulating effects) has been reported to be effective. There is no convincing data to support the use of methotrexate, sulfasalazine, azathioprine, ciclosporin or phototherapy. JAK inhibitors Several patients with severe alopecia areata have had improvement when treated with oral tofacitinib or oral ruxolitinib, which are Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. It is thought they may act by blocking interleukin (IL)-15 signaling. Watch out for the results of clinical trials of these biologic medicines. Prevention The condition cannot be prevented or avoided. The cause is unknown and varies by person. Alopecia areata is not tied to stress, as some people believe. Some people have a family history of alopecia areata. Having a family member with alopecia areata and another immune system disease can raise your risk of having it. Other immune system diseases include type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, lupus, Addison’s disease, and atopic dermatitis. It is rare for a parent to pass the condition onto a child.

Friends today I am discussing about a problem known as Alopecia Areata. What is alopecia areata? Alopecia areata is a disease that causes hair to fall out in small patches, which can remain unnoticeable. These patches may eventually connect and then become noticeable, however. This disease develops when the immune system attacks the hair follicles, resulting in hair loss. Sudden hair loss may occur on the scalp, and in some cases the eyebrows, eyelashes, and face, as well as other parts of the body. It can also develop slowly, and recur after years between instances. The condition can result in total hair loss, called alopecia universalis, and it can prevent hair from growing back. When hair does grow back, it’s possible for the hair to fall out again. The extent of hair loss and regrowth varies from person to person. There’s currently no cure for alopecia areata. However, there are treatments that may help hair grow back more quickly and that can prevent future hair loss, as well as unique ways to cover up the hair loss. Resources are also available to help people cope with the stress of the disease. What are the symptoms of alopecia areata? The main symptom of alopecia areata is hair loss. Hair usually falls out in small patches on the scalp. These patches are often several centimeters or less. Hair loss might also occur on other parts of the face, like 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 a lot of spots. You may first notice clumps of hair on your pillow or in the shower. If the spots are on the back of your head, someone may bring it to your attention. However, other types of diseases can also cause hair to fall out in a similar pattern. Hair loss alone isn’t used to diagnose alopecia areata. In rare cases, some people may experience more extensive hair loss. This is usually an indication of another type of alopecia, such as: alopecia totalis, which is the loss of all hair on the scalp alopecia universalis, which is the loss of all hair on the entire body Doctors might avoid using the terms “totalis” and “universalis” because some people may experience something between the two. It’s possible to lose all hair on the arms, legs and scalp, but not the chest, for example. The hair loss associated with alopecia areata is unpredictable and, as far as doctors and researchers can tell, appears to be spontaneous. The hair may grow back at any time and then may fall out again. The extent of hair loss and regrowth varies greatly from person to person. What causes alopecia areata? Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease develops when the immune system mistakes healthy cells for foreign substances. Normally, the immune system defends your body against foreign invaders, such as viruses and bacteria. If you have alopecia areata, however, your immune system mistakenly attacks your hair follicles. Hair follicles are the structures from which hairs grow. The follicles become smaller and stop producing hair, leading to hair loss. Researchers don’t know what triggers the immune system to attack hair follicles, so the exact cause of this condition isn’t known. However, it most often occurs in people who have a family history of other autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis. This is why some scientists suspect that genetics may contribute to the development of alopecia areata. They also believe that certain factors in the environment are needed to trigger alopecia areata in people who are genetically predisposed to the disease. Alopecia alongside other skin conditions People with an autoimmune disease, like alopecia areata, are also more prone to having another autoimmune disease, including those that also affect the skin and hair. If you’ve been diagnosed with alopecia areata and another skin condition, you may find that treating one helps the other. In other cases, however, treating one may make the other worse. Psoriasis Psoriasis causes a rapid buildup of skin cells. It happens when the immune system mistakenly attacks the skin cells and causes the skin cell production process to go into overdrive. This results in thick patches of skin called plaques, as well as red, inflamed areas of skin. Treating psoriasis with alopecia can be tricky. The scaling associated with psoriasis can make the skin itchy, and scratching can make hair loss worse. In addition, biologic treatments often used for psoriasis, called TNF inhibiters, have been associated with hair loss in some people. For others, treating the psoriasis may help regrow hair. In one small study, over two-thirds of participants with alopecia areata who took a common psoriasis treatment called methotrexate had hair regrowth greater than 50 percent. Another case study found that a new psoriasis treatment called apremilast (Otezla) helped one woman with both psoriasis and alopecia regrow the hair on her scalp in 12 weeks. Atopic dermatitis (eczema) Researchers have established a link between alopecia and atopic dermatitis, a condition in which inflammation on the skin causes itchy, red rashes. Atopic dermatitis is more commonly known as eczema. Many treatment options for atopic dermatitis, like steroid creams and phototherapy, overlap with alopecia treatments, so it’s possible that treating one condition will help treat the other. One area of interest for treating both atopic dermatitis and alopecia is a class of drugs called JAK inhibitors. They’re currently used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions. One oral JAK inhibitor known as tofacinitib has already shown promise in small clinical trials for both atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata. Another biologic treatment called dupilumab (Dupixent), which has recently been approved by the FDA to treat atopic dermatitis, is also a drug of interest for treating alopecia. A clinical study evaluating dupliumab in people with alopecia — both with and without atopic dermatitis — is currently underway. How is alopecia areata diagnosed? A doctor will review your symptoms to determine if you have alopecia areata. They may be able to diagnose alopecia areata simply by looking at the extent of your hair loss and by examining a few 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 might be done if other autoimmune conditions are suspected. The specific blood test performed depends on the particular disorder the doctor suspects. However, a doctor will likely 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 disorder. Other blood tests that can help rule out other conditions include the following: C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate iron levels antinuclear antibody test thyroid hormones free and total testosterone follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormone How is alopecia areata treated? There’s no known cure for alopecia areata, but there are treatments that you can try that might be able to slow down future hair loss or help hair grow back more quickly. The condition is difficult to predict, which means it may require a large amount of trial and error until you find something that works for you. For some people, hair loss may still worsen despite treatment. Medical treatments Topical agents You can rub medications into your scalp to help stimulate hair growth. A number of medications are available, both over-the-counter (OTC) and by prescription: Minoxidil (Rogaine) is available OTC and applied twice daily to the scalp, eyebrows, and beard. It’s relatively safe, but it can take a year to see results. Anthralin (Dritho-Scalp) is a drug that irritates the skin in order to spur hair regrowth. Corticosteroid creams such as clobetasol (Impoyz), foams, lotions, and ointments are thought to work by decreasing inflammation in the hair follicle. Topical immunotherapy is a technique in which a chemical like diphencyprone is applied to the skin to spark an allergic rash. The rash, which resembles poison oak, may induce new hair growth within six months, but you’ll have to continue the treatment to maintain the regrowth. Injections Steroid injections are a common option for mild, patchy alopecia to help hair grow back on bald spots. Tiny needles inject the steroid into the bare skin of the affected areas. The treatment has to be repeated once every one to two months to regrow hair. It doesn’t prevent new hair loss from occurring. Oral treatments Cortisone tablets are sometimes used for extensive alopecia, but due to the possibility of side effects, this option should be discussed with a doctor. Oral immunosuppressants, like methotrexate and cyclosporine, are another option you can try. They work by blocking the immune system’s response, but they can’t be used for a long period of time due to 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 just phototherapy. It’s a type of radiation treatment that uses a combination of an oral medication called psoralens and UV light. Alternative therapies Some people with alopecia areata choose alternative therapies to treat the condition. These may include: aromatherapy acupuncture microneedling probiotics low-level laser therapy (LLLT) vitamins, like zinc and biotin aloe vera drinks and topical gels onion juice rubbed onto the scalp essential oils like tea tree, rosemary, lavender, and peppermint other oils, like coconut, castor, olive, and jojoba an “anti-inflammatory” diet, also called the “autoimmune protocol,” which is a restrictive diet that mainly includes meats and vegetables scalp massage herbal supplements, such as ginseng, green tea, Chinese hibiscus, and saw palmetto Most alternative therapies haven’t been tested in clinical trials, so their effectiveness in treating hair loss isn’t known. The effectiveness of each treatment will vary from person to person. Some people don’t even need treatment since their hair grows back on its own. In other cases, however, people never see improvement despite trying every treatment option. You might need to try more than one treatment to see a difference. Keep in mind that hair regrowth may only be temporary. It’s possible for the hair to grow back and then fall out again. Homeopathic Medicines for Alopecia Areata 1. Arsenic Album – Homeopathic Medicine for Alopecia Areata Accompanied by Itching and Burning on the Scalp Arsenic Album is a recommended homeopathic treatment for alopecia areata which appears as circular bald patches along with itching and burning on the scalp. These symptoms aggravate at night. In some cases, the scalp is also sensitive. 2. Vinca Minor – Another Useful Homeopathic Medicine for Alopecia Areata Vinca Minor is another useful homeopathic medicine for alopecia areata. It works well in cases where there is a tendency for hair to fall in spots which are then replaced by white hair. Along with this, itching and violent scratching over the scalp may also be present. 3. Baryta Carb, Lycopodium, and Silicea – Homeopathic Medicines for Alopecia Areata in Young People The most prominently indicated homeopathic medicines for alopecia areata in young people are Baryta Carb, Lycopodium, and Silicea. Baryta Carb helps in recovering from bald patches that occur on the top of the scalp. Lycopodium works well for bald patches on the temples. Silicea is a good homeopathic treatment for alopecia areata occuring on the back of the scalp. 4. Fluoric Acid – Excellent Homeopathic Medicine for Alopecia Areata Fluoric Acid is among the top grade homeopathic remedies for alopecia areata. Fluoric Acid helps in the regrowth of hair in the bald patches. Fluoric Acid is also a highly suitable homeopathic medicine for hair fall after fever. 5. Phosphorus – A Wonderful Homeopathic Medicine for Alopecia Areata Another homeopathic medicine that has shown its effectiveness in alopecia areata cases is Phosphorus. Phosphorus works well in cases where a person suffers from the loss of hair in patches. Along with hair loss, dandruff on the scalp is also present. In some cases, there is itching on the scalp along with hair fall. Phosphorus also seems to help cases of traction alopecia. In such situations, there is a receding hair line. Hair fall from the forehead is prominent. A person needing Phosphorus may crave cold drinks and ice creams.

30 yr male.no h/0 DM . patch since 3 month. diagnosis and treatment pleas

5yr old male child with loss of hair since one year

2and half year girl has complaints of hair loss over scalp and eyelashes since one month. she is also having complaints of weight loss. kindly guide in this case