Many people suffer from hair and skin problems, some of which are related to genetic or health reasons. We will talk in this article. About one of these problems, which is alopecia, and we learn about the causes of alopecia.
Causes of psychological alopecia
Alopecia areata is a non-contagious immune skin disease that affects the skin that contains hair. A malfunction occurs in the immune system and immune cells begin to attack the hair follicle, causing hair loss in this place.
Alopecia appears as a smooth, hairless, circular spot that affects the scalp, eyebrows, beard, and eyelashes.
Until now, it is still unknown why this immune system malfunction occurs, but there are many factors that play a role in developing alopecia.
In fact, there is conflict over whether psychological factors cause alopecia, but there may be Causes of alopecia Psychologically as follows:
- There is probably no relationship between alopecia areata and anxiety and depression.
- Some studies indicate that stress plays a role in stimulating alopecia or causing the condition to worsen.
- Extreme stress is one of the factors that may cause alopecia, but stress does not lead to complete baldness, so hair can grow back after stress treatment.
There are some other factors that increase the risk of developing alopecia, and these reasons include the following:
- Genetic factor: The presence of a family history of alopecia, or autoimmune diseases, such as: vitiligo and hypersensitivity.
- Cold weather: where it is Hair loss Larger in the colder months of the year.
- The person suffers from some other diseases, such as: vitiligo and thyroiditis.
There are also some risk factors that make a person more susceptible to infection, for example:
- If a family member suffers from alopecia.
- The person must be younger than 30 years old.
- A family member has an autoimmune disease.
- The person is susceptible to skin allergies or allergies in general.
Causes of alopecia in women
Many women suffer from hair loss problems, and it is normal for a woman to lose 50-100 hairs per day.
But there must be a balance between hair growth and loss, otherwise this loss is abnormal as a result of a problem such as alopecia.
The causes of alopecia in women are explained as follows:
- عوامل وراثية: Due to some genes inherited from one of the parents.
- Hormonal changes: It is the most common reason;
- Androgen level changesIt is a group of hormones that control male characteristics, and an imbalance in them causes baldness in women.
- Pituitary gland disordersSuch as: Polycystic ovary syndrome, which secretes androgens, causes hair loss in women.
- Health disordersIt may develop after a serious illness, such as a severe infection, high fever, or surgery.
- pharmaceutical: Such as medications used in chemotherapy for cancer, they cause temporary hair loss as a side effect of the medication.
- Hair pulling: It causes hair to be tied and pulled, increasing the chance of hair loss and loss.
There are different types of hair loss in women due to alopecia. They may be:
- Slight hair loss starts at the hairline.
- Complete hair loss in the hairline with thinning of the hair around it.
- Thinning hair all over the scalp with a transparent area at the top of the scalp.
Causes of alopecia in children
Examples of causes of alopecia in children include:
- A defect in the child’s immune system.
- A child has a disorder in the nervous system.
- Genetic factors.
- The child suffers from depression and severe anxiety.
- Gland disorder, such as: thyroid disorder.
- Suffering from some diseases such as diabetes and pernicious anemia.
Alopecia areata, is it dangerous?
Alopecia areata is not a serious disease. It does not cause any physical pain, and those affected by the disease are usually in good health.
But since the disease affects the external appearance of those affected, it greatly affects their psychological state.
In addition to the psychological impact, a patient with alopecia is more susceptible to germs and dirt entering the area of the eyes, ears and nose when hair falls out of these areas.
Does alopecia heal on its own?
The incidence of alopecia varies from one person to another based on the severity of the infection and the extent of its development.
In some cases, it may disappear on its own within months to years, and in others it may persist and may even increase or spread.
Therefore, some cases require medical intervention to stop hair loss.
There are some factors that influence whether alopecia areata heals on its own, including the following:
- شدة المرض: The opportunity is great for people who suffer from mild cases.
- Duration of injuryIf the infection persists for a long time, it becomes difficult for the alopecia to disappear on its own.
- Immunological and genetic factors: The body's response to the disease varies based on immune and genetic factors.
It is worth noting that if alopecia areata heals on its own, it can return again.
Book your consultation now at مركز الجلدية والتجميل At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital to find out the appropriate treatment plan for you
Treatment of alopecia in the hair in women
The type of treatment for alopecia depends on the amount of hair loss. The goal of treatment is to reduce hair loss and work to stimulate hair regrowth. The treatment may be long-term in order to reduce the recurrence of hair loss.
And who Treatment methods for alopecia In women, the following:
- Topical treatments
These are treatments that are applied daily directly to the scalp.
- Oral treatments
One of the most popular methods for treating hair loss, as it limits the production of androgens, which prevents hair loss, and works to regrow hair, the most prominent of which is spironolactone.
- Hair transplantation
Hair is transferred from an area where hair grows in a healthy way to another area of the scalp that lacks hair.
- Laser treatment
One of the therapeutic methods to stimulate hair growth is by shining low levels of laser light on the hair follicles.
Treatment for alopecia is final
In general, there is nothing to say about it Ultimate treatment for alopeciaBecause the outcome of treatment depends on the response of the immune system.
Hair often grows on its own, but there are medications that help reduce and control the disease, as they help hair regrow more quickly, and these medications include:
- Corticosteroids
One of the anti-inflammatory treatments to treat immune diseases. It is injected locally into the site of the infection every 4 to 8 weeks, as needed.
It can also be used in the form of creams and ointments that are applied twice daily to the affected areas.
It is also available in the form of oral tablets that a doctor may prescribe to treat some advanced cases.
- Topical immunotherapies
As a result of severe hair loss, the doctor may prescribe topical immunotherapies in the treatment plan.
It causes an allergic reaction when placed on the site of the injury, and this stimulates hair growth again, and this treatment is given
Weekly, leave it on the affected area for 48 hours.
- Minoxidil
It is a solution usually used to treat baldness, and the doctor may prescribe it for some cases that he believes can respond to it.
It is worth noting that it is a good option in treating alopecia in children, because it does not cause any serious side effects.
The treatment usually takes about 12 weeks to notice hair growth again.
- Anthralin
It can be used in some cases, as it helps restore hair growth naturally, and is used in conjunction with the use of Minoxidil.
- Methotrexate
The doctor prescribes it in some advanced cases, as hair regrowth may take from 6 to 12 months.
- Janus kinase inhibitors
The doctor prescribes it in some cases that do not respond to previous medications.
How to stop the spread of alopecia
Of course, alopecia cannot be prevented, but its spread can be controlled by following some health guidelines: for example:
- Comb hair with a soft-bristled brush or wide-toothed comb to gently style hair.
- Do not use hair or skin products that contain harmful chemicals.
- Limit the use of a hair dryer and let hair dry naturally.
- Make comfortable hairstyles and avoid pulling the hair.
- Use sunscreen with a high protection factor and water resistance, and place it over the area of the scalp affected by alopecia.
- In case of loss of eyebrow hair or eyelashes, you must wear prescription glasses or sunglasses to protect the eyes from the sun and dust.
- Wear hats to protect the scalp from the sun.
- Protect affected areas from cold temperatures by keeping warm by wearing hats and scarves.
- When nose hair is lost, apply a layer of moisturizing Vaseline inside it.
- Try to avoid stress as much as possible.
In conclusion, there are different types of alopecia, such as: alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis.
It is worth noting that the causes of alopecia vary in each case, and there is no single treatment that is suitable for all cases of the condition.
However, there are different types of treatments that the doctor can try for each individual case. You can Book a consultation immediately at Al Mousa Hospital Specialist to discuss all available treatment options with a dermatologist.
Frequently asked questions
What is the reason for the appearance of alopecia on the head?
The real and exact cause may not be known yet, but it usually occurs because the immune system unintentionally attacks hair follicles.
Where does alopecia come from?
The reason is often due to some genetic factors, in addition to white blood cells attacking some cells in the hair follicles, or severe stress, which is a rare cause.
Is alopecia areata a mental illness?
Alopecia is not classified as a psychological disease, but it is closely related to the patient's poor psychological state and the stress and anxiety that ultimately lead to it.
Sources and references
Hair loss – mayo clinic
Alopecia Areata – cleveland clinic
