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Alopecia is a common disease that results in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere. Alopecia occurs in males and females of all ages, but onset most often occurs in childhood. There are three types of Alopecia: Alopecia Aereata, Alopecial Totalis and Alopecia Universalis.

What is Alopecia Aereata?

It affects approximately 2 percent of the population and can involve hair loss on the scalp or the body. With Alopecia Areata baldness usually occurs in small, round, smooth patches. Hair loss may be on the scalp only or body hair may be lost as well. Alopecia Aereata is classified as an autoimmune disease, but the cause of it is unknown. In fact, people who develop this type of baldness are generally in good health. A family history of Alopecia Areata makes you more likely to develop it. Unlike androgenetic Alopecia hair will generally grow back. But it may takes several years.

Physical or emotion stress can trigger hair loss whether people are predestined to lose or hair or not. When stress causes hair loss, stress can actually speed up the process. The stress experienced must be quite severe before it leads to hair loss. Examples of severe stress are loss of a loved one, strenuous sports, training, severe illness or drastic weight loss, surgeries and emotional stress. The body simply shuts down production of hair during periods of stress since it is not necessary for survival and instead devotes its energies toward repairing vital body structures. A recent high fever, severe flu or surgery, you may notice you have less hair four weeks to three months after an illness or surgery. These conditions cause hair to shift rapidly into a resting phase, meaning you’ll see less new hair growth. A normal amount of hair typically will appear after the growth phase resumes. This means the total hair loss and regrowth cycle can last six months or possibly longer when induced by physical or emotional stress. There are some health conditions which may go undetected that can contribute to hair loss. These include anemia and low blood count and thyroid abnormalities. Both of these conditions can be detected by a simple, inexpensive blood test.

Another version Traction Alopecia, which is often referred to as “Hair Pulling Disorder” , an impulse control disorder, when a person compulsively pulls out strands of hair in distinct patches on the scalp. Some individuals also pull out hairs from eyebrows and eyelashes as well. Trichotillomania is often caused by an undue amount of anxiety, stress and depression. It most commonly occurs among young children, adolescents, and women. It generally affects twice as many females than males. The treatment for Trichotillomania often involves behavioral therapy or psychiatric help where an antidepressant may be prescribed.

CHEMOTHERAPY DRUGS & RADIATION TREATMENTS

Drugs designed to poison cancer cells also poison the hair follicles and will often result in total hair loss. Hair loss from chemotherapy treatment will start approximately 2 – 3 weeks after the first dose of chemotherapy, but won’t result in total hair loss until 1 -2 months have elapsed. Hair loss is reversible and will be back in about 3 – 4 months after the last chemotherapy dose. Hair on the head is most commonly affected. The scalp may become tender and hair that is growing may become dull and sry. The hair may grow back thinner, and perhaps a different color but will eventually return to its original thickness and shade.