6 Facts You Need To Know About Alopecia Areata

A lot of people lose their hair on a regular basis, without knowing the apparent reason. There is hair on the floor, on the pillowcases, on the towel, comb, styling tools and almost everything else but the scalp! The growing bald patches or rapidly thinning hair can adversely affect your psychology. The myths that surround hair loss further add to the stress because there are various types of hair loss and each one needs a different kind of treatment. Today, we’ll take a look at the facts behind Alopecia Areata, which will help you understand it better.

1.       It’s an Autoimmune Disease – Alopecia is a generic term for any hair loss. But Alopecia Areata specifically refers to an autoimmune disease, in which the body mistakenly attacks the healthy cells. In this condition, people start losing hair in various parts of their body and not just the scalp but also the eyebrows and can cause disfiguration. There is no reason for the disease, however, genes can play a major role.

2.       Anyone can be Affected – Men, Women or Children, anyone can be affected with alopecia areata. There is no age limit and can happen to kids as well. However, it may go away for decades only to come back. This takes us to the next point.

3.       It is Not Permanent – As opposed to natural hair loss or age-related hair loss, this condition is temporary. This is because once the immune system is back on track, the hair will grow back just like before. So, you don’t have to worry about losing all your hair forever once you are diagnosed with alopecia areata.

4.       The Symptoms are Difficult to Detect – Apart from hair loss, the symptoms of alopecia areata are not very apparent. For instance, you will not get a headache, irritation or other symptoms. Hence, by the time you find out that you have the condition and need to go for a hair loss treatment, it can be too late.

5.       Scalp Will Look Smooth and Healthy – Alopecia areata leads to nonscarring hair loss. This means that the scalp will show no scars but will be smooth and healthy. The same goes for hair loss in other parts of the body as well.

6.       Stress Can Trigger It - Like many other diseases, stress can be one of the triggers for alopecia areata. By controlling your stress levels using therapies or other stress-control techniques, you can prevent this condition to a major extent.

The Wrap

These are some of the facts that will help you control alopecia areata and stop it from spreading more. If you have any other form of hair loss and need treatment for it, you can always visit your nearest wellness center and opt for a consultation. For more hair and skin care related write-ups, keep a tab on this space.