Alopecia areata is baldness or hair loss caused by an autoimmune disease. In alopecia areOr, the immune system attacks and damages the hair follicles, causing hair loss and baldness. A bald scalp with a patchy shape is one of the signs of this condition.
Alopecia areata can affect men or women. Generally, alopecia areata occurs before the sufferer is 30 years old. This condition most often affects the hair on the scalp.
When you have alopecia areata, the hair follicles, which are where hair grows, become smaller and stop producing hair. This then causes hair loss and baldness. This condition can occur gradually or suddenly.
Causes of Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is caused by the immune system attacking the hair follicles (an autoimmune disease). This condition causes the release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. This then causes the cessation of hair production. As a result, hair falls out and eventually becomes bald.
Until now, the exact cause of why the immune system attacks and damages hair follicles is not known. However, this condition is thought to be triggered by viral infections, trauma, hormonal changes, and physical or psychological stress.
Risk factors for alopecia areata
Although the exact cause is not known, there are several factors and conditions that can increase a person's risk of developing alopecia areata, namely:
- Have a parent or close relative who suffers from alopecia areata or other autoimmune diseases
- Suffering from chromosomal disorders, such as Down syndrome
- Suffering from vitamin D deficiency, asthma, atopic dermatitis, SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), vitiligo, or thyroid disease, such as Hashimoto's disease and Graves' disease
Symptoms of Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata can occur at any age. However, it is more common when the sufferer is a child, teenager, or young adult. This condition can cause baldness or hair loss in several parts of the body, such as the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, nose hair, armpits, pubic, mustache, or beard.
When a person experiences alopecia areata, the main sign found is hair loss or baldness that is not accompanied by pain. Like other autoimmune disease conditions, the baldness and hair loss experienced by people with alopecia areata can be recurrent or permanent. flares. In addition, there are several other signs that can occur when a person has alopecia areata, namely:
- Round or patch-like pattern baldness that appears in one or more places where hair was previously covered
- Baldness occurs on the bottom, sides, or around the back of the head (ophiasis alopecia)
- Hair that grows back generally has a different type from the previous hair, for example from the previous straight then after bald, the hair that grows becomes curly
In addition to causing the formation of bald patches on the scalp, alopecia also has another type, namely if baldness occurs in one area as a whole, then this condition is also called alopecia areata totalis. Meanwhile, if it occurs in all areas of the body with hair, then the condition is called alopecia areata universalis.
Generally, hair loss in people with alopecia areata can grow back on its own. However, in some people with alopecia areata, baldness can be permanent. This means the hair does not grow back.
The nails of people with alopecia areata also often experience changes, including the nails look reddish, indented, or become rough and thin, so they are easy to split.
When to go to the doctor
Check with your doctor if you experience baldness or unusual hair loss. Early detection can help you find out the cause of your hair loss, so that appropriate treatment can be carried out according to the cause and condition you are experiencing.
Diagnosis of Alopecia Areata
To diagnose alopecia areata, the doctor will ask the patient's complaints, then perform a physical examination. The doctor will examine the patient's nails and areas of the body that are normally hairy.
To confirm the diagnosis and confirm the cause of hair loss, it is necessary to carry out additional examinations, such as:
Scalp biopsy
A biopsy is done by taking a sample from the scalp to be examined under a microscope. A biopsy is performed to detect cell and tissue abnormalities on the scalp and determine the cause of the hair loss or baldness experienced.
blood test
This test is done if the patient is suspected of having an autoimmune disease or other diseases that can cause baldness and hair loss. Some of the things that will be assessed and detected during a blood test are:
- Antinuclear antibodies (ANA)
- C-reactive protein
- Erythrocyte sedimentation
- Iron
- Thyroid hormone
- Testosterone
- Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Alopecia Areata Treatment
There is no treatment that can cure alopecia areata. However, treatment will be carried out to relieve complaints, prevent recurrence of complaints, and help sufferers adapt and accept their conditions.
Drugs
In some cases, hair loss and baldness experienced by people with alopecia areata can recover on their own. Your doctor may prescribe medication to stimulate hair growth. Drugs that may be given are:
- MinoxidilThis medication is used to stimulate hair growth. Minoxidil dosage forms commonly used to treat baldness due to alopecia areata are topical or topical. New hair growth can be seen three months after using this drug.
- CorticosteroidsCorticosteroids are used to suppress the immune system. This drug is available in the form of injections, ointments, and tablets. Injectable drugs are usually given to adult patients, while topical medications are usually given to pediatric patients. Meanwhile, corticosteroid tablets are consumed by people with extensive baldness.
- anthralinThis drug is used to treat scalp baldness. After being applied and allowed to stand according to the doctor's advice, anthralin must be washed thoroughly so that the skin does not become irritated.
- Diphencyprone(DPCP)Diphencyprone is a drug used to divert the immune system from attacking hair follicles. This medicine is applied to the area of the skin that is botched. One of the signs of the onset of action of this drug is the appearance of contact dermatitis.
Self handling
Although not dangerous sometimes alopecia areata can cause discomfort due to baldness experienced. Here are some ways you can do to overcome the discomfort you feel:
- Using wigs, hats, and applying sunscreen cream on the bald areas, to protect the skin from the sun
- Shave the hair of the head, mustache, or beard so that baldness looks even
- Use glasses or false eyelashes, to protect your eyes from dust if you suffer from baldness on your eyebrows and eyelashes
Counseling and support support
To overcome emotional disorders and increase self-confidence, people with alopecia areata can undergo counseling with psychologists. In addition, sufferers can join groups with alopecia areata sufferers, to share experiences and reduce stress.
Complications of Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata does not cause complications that can harm the sufferer. In addition, alopecia areata is also not contagious. However, there are several conditions that can occur when a person has alopecia areata, namely:
- Permanent baldness in 10% of sufferers
- Emotional disorders that can cause anxiety and depression
In addition, alopecia areata is often associated with an increased risk of developing diseases due to other disorders of the immune system, such as asthma, vitiligo, SLE, or atopic dermatitis.
Prevention of Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is difficult to prevent because the exact cause is unknown. However, relieving stress is believed to be helpful in preventing the occurrence of alopecia areata. Some of the ways below you can do to relieve stress:
- Doing breathing exercises or doing meditation
- Reduce consumption of drinks containing caffeine, such as coffee
- Listening to relaxing music
- Doing fun things or hobbies, for example watching funny movies
- Make time to socialize with family and friends or play with pets