What Is Alopecia?
Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss that is caused by an autoimmune disease. With this condition, your body is actively attacking your hair follicles thinking that they are a foreign invader. As a result, your hair falls out rapidly, resulting in hair loss.
Alopecia areata can affect the hairs all over your body – not just your scalp. Alopecia may affect you in three different ways: areata can be patchy hair loss on your head, alopecia totalis is complete hair loss on your head, and alopecia universalis is hair loss all over your body.
While alopecia typically does not cause physical pain and is not contagious, the hair loss can impact your emotional and mental state. It can be an emotionally difficult thing to go through. Today, there is no known cure for alopecia, but it’s possible to manage the condition.
More on Alopecia
Alopecia can affect a person of any gender and age. The most common type of alopecia is alopecia areata, in which hair falls out in quarter-sized patches. It’s rare for alopecia to cause total hair loss. Moreover, it’s even possible for hair that has fallen out to grow back. What makes the disease so particularly challenging is the uncertainty of when hair will grow back – if it grows back at all.
Alopecia is either primary or secondary, with primary being hair loss caused by an attack on hair follicles, and secondary being hair loss caused by tumors, infections, burns, or radiation.
Researchers are not sure what causes this condition but think alopecia is largely genetic. If someone in a family has alopecia, there is an increased risk for every other family member to develop it. However, for many people, alopecia develops due to a trigger, such as a viral infection or environmental factors. Physicians also suggested that for some, stress may be a trigger.
Alopecia Treatment
While there is no cure for alopecia, doctors can administer therapies that can help regrow lost hair. In fact, there are hair loss treatments available for patients with alopecia. Since the condition is inflammatory but doesn’t destroy hair follicles, there is hope for them to regrow hair once the condition gets under control.
Hair restoration options for patients with alopecia include targeting the inflammation, such as immunotherapy. Comprehensive treatments may include anti-inflammatories, steroid injections, vasodilators, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, hair transplantation, and more. Most patients require a combination of treatments to get the best results possible. Talk to a hair loss specialist today about which treatments will work best for you.
Advanced Hair Restoration Treatments for Alopecia in Kansas City, MO
You do not have to live with patchy hair loss forever. When it comes to alopecia, a hair restoration expert can help improve your symptoms.
The talented and compassionate hair restoration experts at Darling Hair Restoration have expertise and experience in restoring hair for patients with alopecia. Find out how we can transform your life using the most advanced and cutting-edge treatments available.
To schedule a consultation, call Darling Hair Restoration at (816) 792-3400 or send an appointment request now.
