Alopecia Areata is a form of hair loss where hair falls in particular spots, usually from the scalp, although it can affect other areas of the body. The hair loss mostly remains limited to the scalp but in certain cases it can extend to eyebrows, eyelashes, facial hair (beard, mustache), nasal hair. It is an autoimmune disorder in which the hair follicles are damaged by our own immune system and mostly affects the scalp. It is present in both males and females. The male and female ratio is 1.4:1
Alopecia Areata
CAUSES OF ALOPECIA AREATA
Alopecia Areata is a common condition which arises largely due to a mix of immunological and hormonal factors. It is more common among people with other autoimmune conditions, such as an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), diabetes problems or Down’s syndrome. It is also believed some people’s genes make them more susceptible to alopecia areata, as one in five people with the condition have a family history of the condition.
Traction alopecia: In this condition, alopecia develops along the frontal margins and temporal margins of the scalp due to constant tension on the hair from being tied very tightly.
SYMPTOMS OF ALOPECIA AREATA
When alopecia areata results in patches of hair loss, the hair usually grows back in a few months. Although the new hair is usually the same color and texture as the rest of the hair, it sometimes is fine and white.
About 10% of people with this condition may never regrow hair.
Patients that are more likely to have permanent hair loss who:
- Have a family history of the condition
- Have the condition at a young age (before puberty) or for longer than 1 year
- Have another autoimmune disease
- Are prone to allergies (atopy)
- Have extensive hair loss
- Have abnormal color, shape, texture, or thickness of the fingernails or toenails
HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT
Homeopathic Treatment for Alopecia Areata has shown great results as far as stoppage of hair fall as well as re-growth is concerned. This is attributed to the fact that Homeopathy treats the cause of disease rather than merely working on superficial results.
Homeopathic treatment is targeted towards UPROOTING THE DISEASE and ensuring health with no side effects. For prescribing to an individual, a PLAN OF TREATMENT is followed which involves:
- GETTING THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF CASE which includes complete case taking (analyzing patient as an individual) along with patient history and family history
- DIAGNOSIS OF PATIENT AND DISEASE
- INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT OF THE CASE
- PRESCRIBING THE MOST SUITABLE INDIVIDUAL CONSTITUTIONAL REMEDY