If you experience patchy hair loss or localized hair loss
If You Experience Patchy Hair Loss Or Localized Hair Loss, Promptly See A Doctor.
Alopecia Areata is characterized by hair loss in one or multiple circular patches. Medically, this condition is called Alopecia Areata. It occurs in both females and males, most commonly between the ages of 20-40. The cause of this type of hair loss is due to an immune system disorder that attacks hair follicles and stops hair growth without inflammation.
Factors that contribute to this condition include stress, genetics, and insufficient rest. However, most people mistakenly believe it is caused by infection or scalp inflammation, which is not true! Alopecia Areata can spread from small patches to larger ones, eventually leading to complete hair loss on the scalp. It can also affect eyebrow, eyelash, and beard hair in both women and men.
Treatment for Alopecia Areata
The treatment for Alopecia Areata aims to stimulate new hair growth. Medication treatment provides the best results but must be used continuously until the hair loss improves. If medication is stopped too early, the new hair may fall out again. The three commonly used medications are:
1. Corticosteroids have anti-inflammatory effects and suppress immune response. They are used in topical forms, oral medication, and local injections. Injections are administered under the skin in areas of hair loss. Common corticosteroids include Clobetasol or Fluocinonide in topical or injectable forms. Injections are typically used for small patches on the scalp, eyebrows, or beard, given every 3-6 weeks. Early treatment may involve corticosteroids applied to the affected areas. However, topical treatment alone may be less effective due to limited absorption through the scalp to the hair follicles. Results usually appear after at least one month of continuous use. Oral corticosteroids can effectively reduce hair loss but may cause side effects due to long-term use until the condition stabilizes. Stopping medication prematurely can lead to hair loss recurrence. Therefore, oral corticosteroids are preferred for extensive hair loss or when other body hair is affected, or used initially in combination with topical treatments.
2. Topical minoxidil 5% solution can stimulate new hair growth during the first 6-12 months of treatment. Apply 5% minoxidil solution twice daily, in the morning and before bedtime after washing hair, and wait until hair and scalp are dry. Apply directly to the scalp areas where hair regrowth is desired, including beard, mustache, and eyebrows. This medication is suitable for both children and adults. New hair growth can be observed after about 3 months of continuous use. If hair growth is insufficient, the concentration can be increased from 5% to 10%.
3. Anthralin is a synthetic coal tar powder that alters immune function in the skin. Apply to the affected area for 20-60 minutes, then wash off with clean water to prevent scalp irritation and darkening of the skin where applied. Sometimes, multiple treatment methods are combined to treat Alopecia Areata.
Alopecia Areata may recur. A study of 736 patients with this condition found that about 90% experienced relapse within 5 years. Factors triggering this type of hair loss, found in about 15% of patients, include:
1. Illness or fever
2. Certain medications
3. Pregnancy
4. Accidents or injuries
5. Stress, anxiety, or major life changes, including nightmares
Conditions Associated with Alopecia Areata
1. Atopic dermatitis is found in 9-26% of cases. Its presence indicates a poorer prognosis.
2. Vitiligo is found in 1.8-3% of cases.
3. Thyroid disease is found in 0.85-14.7% of cases.
4. Collagen-vascular diseases are found in about 0.6-2% of cases.
5. Anxiety and psychiatric disorders such as depression and phobias are found in 17-22% of cases.
Treatment Approaches for “Localized Hair Loss” Differ as Follows:
๐ Most treatments use corticosteroids in topical, oral, or injectable forms in the affected areas. Hair regrowth occurs in about 90% of treated patients within 4-6 weeks and lasts approximately 3 months.
๐ Topical minoxidil at 5% concentration is applied twice daily to affected areas, with effectiveness ranging from 8-45%. Results appear after 12 weeks but require continuous use. Side effects include unwanted hair growth (about 5%) and irritation (about 7%).
๐ Topical immunotherapy shows 30-50% effectiveness but has a slow onset, with results seen after 12 months. Recurrence rates are high at 63%.
๐ Other treatments include PUVA light therapy and oral or injectable chemotherapy. Physicians will select the most appropriate treatment with the least side effects.
source : PHAYATHAI 1 Hospital
**Translated and compiled by ArokaGO Content Team
Independent Writer
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