By Dr. John Frank, M.D. – IAHRS, ABHRS,ISHRS, AHLA, XM Radio: ‘The Bald Truth’, NYC, March 7, 2012
Alopecia areata is a non-life threatening autoimmune disease but effective treatment can be difficult
Alopecia areata is one of three known autoimmune diseases that can cause hair loss. The other two are Scleroderma & Lupus. However, unlike scleroderma & lupus, Alopecia areata is not life threatening. It affects about 1% of the U.S. population, most affecting children (ref: AOCD)
This type of hair loss occurs when your white blood cells (the body’s normal defensive mechanism) mistakes the hair follicles for foreign bodies and attacks them. This damages the hair follicles, and they stop producing hair. The underlying cause of this disease is probably genetic.
The symptoms of differ among sufferers, but these are the most common symptoms:
- Baldness can occur in many locations .
- Baldness can occur in just one location (called alopecia areata monolocularis. This is the most common form).
- A more severe form can cause a total loss of hair on the scalp (Alopecia totalis).
- An even more severe form can cause total hair loss on the scalp along with hair on other parts of the body most often including the eyebrows & eyelashes (Alopecia universalis).
- Sometimes sufferers have a feeling of burning or itching in the affective areas, but not always.
Alopecia Areata Treatment
This type of hair loss can affect adults over 40, but it’s rare and less severe and often the hair grows back without recourse to treatment. Unfortunately, this form of hair loss mostly affects children & young adults. In those cases, it is usually more severe, and effective Alopecia Areata treatment can be difficult. However, these are the most common Alopecia Areata treatment options:
- Steroids. Steroids are often injected directly into the scalp or applied topically. Steroids help protect the hair follicles from the white blood cells.
- Minoxidil (applied topically). Doctors normally prescribe Minoxidil for male pattern baldness, but some studies have found that it can be effective in treating less severe forms of Alopecia areata.
- Cyclosporine. Cyclosporine is a powerful immunosuppressant that can also be effective, but it can have some potentially serious side effects.
- DNCB. DNCB is a chemical that has been used to treat many conditions including Alopecia Areata
In all cases, you should only take these drugs (with the exception of Minoxidil, which is available without a prescription) under the strict supervision of a doctor who, ideally, is experienced with both the use of these drugs and with this form of hair loss.
Resources:
- The National Alopecia Areata Foundation
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) Q&A Alopecia areata Page
- NIH Medline Plus Alopecia areata information page
- NIH Fast Facts: “What Is Alopecia Areata?”
