What is Alopecia ? Doctor Answers

Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune disease that often results in unexpected hair loss. It affects 2% of Americans (about 6.5 million) and can affect anyone, regardless of age and gender.1

The word comes from ancient Greek and alopecia roughly translates as "Fox disease," due to the evolution of fox fur twice a year. The word areata means "occurring in patches or circumscribed areas."

You will also see the introduction at the end of some sections to all the recent events that have been covered with new stories of NCDs.what is alopecia Also look out for links to information on related conditions.

Interesting facts about alopecia areata

Here are some key points about what is alopecia. More details and supporting information is in the main article.
what is alopecia is considered an autoimmune disease.
One in five people with what is alopecia also has a family member who has experienced the condition.
People with a family history of what is alopecia also often a personal or family history of other autoimmune diseases.
what is alopecia often develops suddenly, within a few days.
And the hair, alopecia can affect the nails.
There is little scientific evidence that what is alopecia is caused by stress.
what is alopecia is often treated with corticosteroids.
People with alopecia areata have only a few patches of hair loss often experience a full recovery spontaneously without treatment.
There is no cure for what is alopecia.
Counseling and support groups are available for people with what is alopecia.

What is alopecia areata?
what is alopecia is "a common condition of unknown etiology characterized by circumscribed miscarrying usually asymmetric bald areas on the scalp, eyebrows, beard and part of the face."
In most cases, the hair falls out in small patches about the size of a coin. For most people, the hair loss is no more than a few stains, although in some cases may be more extreme. Sometimes it can lead to complete loss of hair on the scalp (alopecia totals) or in extreme cases, whole body (universal ).

what is alopecia is considered an autoimmune disease where the immune mistakenly target the body instead of harmful foreign invaders such as bacteria system. In the case of what is alopecia, the immune system attacks hair follicles leading to hair loss.

What causes what is alopecia?
The condition occurs when white blood cells attack the cells in the hair follicles, causing them to shrink and slow down hair production significantly. It is unclear what causes the body's immune system to target hair follicles in this way.

Although scientists do not know why these changes occur, it is considered that there is a genetic reason behind the condition. If a person has a close relative with the disease, the risk of developing what is alopecia is a little higher. One in five people with the disease have a relative who also developed.

Other research has shown that many people who have a family history of what is alopecia have relatives in other autoimmune diseases such as Down syndrome or atop or personal history.

Despite what many people say, there is little scientific evidence to support the idea that what is alopecia is caused by stress. Extreme stress could trigger what is alopecia, but most recent studies lead to a genetic cause.

Signs and symptoms
The most prominent symptom of what is alopecia is hair loss in some places. Patches coin size hair start falling mainly on the scalp, but any site, like hairy beard and eyelashes may also experience hair loss.

Hair loss can be sudden, develop within days. Hair follicles are not destroyed and can regrown hair and if the swelling of the follicles decreases. People experiencing some patches of hair loss, often have a complete spontaneous recovery without any treatment.

About 30% of people who develop what is alopecia find your state becomes larger than or undergo continuous cycles of hair loss and regrowth.
what is alopecia can also affect the fingernails and toenails, and sometimes these changes may be the first sign of what is alopecia develops. There are a number of small changes that can occur in the nails:
Bumps may appear Pinpoint
White spots and lines may appear
The nails can become rough
The nails may disappear
The nails can become thin and Split.

Other clinical signs include "signs of hair exclamation", where a few short hairs that approach the bottom grow in or around the edges of the bald areas, "pile of corpses," broken hairs before reaching the surface skin and white hair regrowth in areas affected by hair loss.

Tests and diagnosis
Health care providers are generally able to diagnose what is alopecia easily by examining symptoms. They could look at the degree of hair loss and examine the areas affected hairs under a microscope.

If after an initial clinical examination, the doctor still does not reach a conclusion, you can perform a skin biopsy. If you need to remove other autoimmune diseases, the doctor may also do a blood test.

Because the symptoms of what is alopecia are so special, the diagnosis is usually quick and easy.

Treatment options
Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for what is alopecia, although some forms of treatment that may be offered by health care providers to help grow your hair grow faster.

The most common form of what is alopecia treatment is the use of corticosteroids, potent anti-inflammatory that can suppress the immune system. Can be administered by the same (common) local injections, ointment application or orally.

Other medications that may be prescribed that either promote hair growth or affect the immune system include minoxidil, anthralin, SADBE and DCPP. Although some may help hair grow, they can not prevent the formation of new bald patches. Other treatment methods include photo chemotherapy, acupuncture and aromatherapy.

People with what is alopecia may lack the protective qualities of hair to a degree, and there are some steps you can take to minimize the effects.

Use sunscreen when exposed to the sun
Sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun and debris eyebrows and eyelashes usually defend against
Hats such as hats, wigs and two scarves protect the head from the sun and keep warm
Ointment in the nose stays hydrated and protects against organisms are normally kept out of my nostril hair.
what is alopecia is not directly to the sick, is not contagious, however, can be difficult to adjust emotionally. For many people, what is alopecia is a traumatic illness and, as such, may require treatment that addresses the emotional aspect.

Counseling and support groups are available for people to share their thoughts and feelings, and discuss common psychological reactions to the condition. These may be useful as alopecia areata can lead to people feeling lonely, sad and ashamed.

Once the emotional aspect of what is alopecia is exceeded, there is little to stop someone who has developed the condition to enjoy a normal, healthy and happy life.