Hairloss and Baldness

What is Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia Areata can affect 1 in a thousand of us at any time in our lives.  There is no known cause for this distressing condition, although it is considered to be an autoimmune disorder.

Alopecia Areata causes sudden hair loss, usually starting in patches, the follicles prematurely enter the resting phase (Telogen) and this occurs very rapidly.  In severe, but rare cases, the hair loss can become widespread leading to rapid hair loss.  This is known as Alopecia Totalis or Alopecia Universalis.

This could have a connection to anxiety, sudden shock, in fact any major stress factor in your life.

These are some possible triggers for Alopecia Areata

There are certain factors that can bring on the start of Alopecia Areata, these include:

1. Psychological long-term chronic stress

2. Shock and sudden extreme stress

3. Physical trauma

4. Local skin injury

5. Genetic predisposition

6. Viral/bacterial infection

7. Pregnancy/hormones

8. Allergies

9. Chemicals

10. Seasonal changes

Psychological Long-Term Chronic Stress

Many reports suggest that stress is an important factor in causing Alopecia Areata.however, this had been the cause for some disagreement between many experts  This suggestion is actually based on correlated evidence and not on hard fact, it is generally believed that while stress may be a trigger for alopecia, is not usually the root cause.

Shock, or Sudden Extreme Stress

Here have been documented cases of Alopecia Areata developing following on from severe or sudden stress such as a sudden bereavement or accident

Physical Trauma

There is quite a bit of evidence to demonstrate that physical trauma can trigger the onset of Alopecia Areata. Anything that effects the immune system can be a trigger that will bring on Alopecia Areata, this can range from being hit on the head to an infection.

Localised Skin Injury

People susceptible to Alopecia can often develop patches of hair loss, following injury, cuts or scratches to the head. This said, there has been cases of temporary hair re-growth after an injury. Injury can bring on the anagen or growing stage in people wh are predisposed to alopecia

Genetic Predisposition

It is generally thought that being susceptible to Alopecia Areata is polygenic – there are certain genes that if present for any reason make that individual more likely to develop Alopecia Areata. Triggers for Alopecia Areata actually coming on are usually caused by environmental reasons but susceptibility to development of Alopecia Areata, the resistance of the Alopecia Areata lesion to treatment, and its persistence and regression and its extent over the body might be influenced by the presence and interaction of several genes.

Viral/Bacterial Infection

An infection of the hair follicles called Cytomegalovirus has been attributed to causing alopecia areata, but tricologists suggest that there are several infections both viral and bacterial that can harm the hair follicles in susceptible people

Pregnancy/Hormones

It has been determined that changes in hormones can cause Hair loss, Most notable are the cases of Alopecia onset during late stage pregnancy. Women who are prone to Alopecia Areata often find that they have complete hair regrowth around the time of childbirth regretfully this can only be temporary. Puberty and menopause are also linked to times of potential Alopecia Areata onset or remission.

Allergies

People with other allergies or conditions often sparked by allergy such as asthma, eczema and even rhinitis can be more inclined to hair loss. He interesting thing with this fact is that it is mainly Caucasian women who suffer this way. It is believed that different races have varying genetic composition which could explain this fact.

Chemicals

Exposure to certain chemicals and drugs have been attributed to bringing on Alopecia Areatra, the chemicals acrylamide, formaldehyde and other pesticides have been linked to outbreaks. Mediactions such as Zidovudine (for HIV) and Fluvoaximin (depression) have also been linked

Seasonal Changes

Many people suffering with Alopecia Areata find that the levels of their hair loss moves in time with the seasons. Some sufferers find the hair loss is at its worst in winter and in fact get temporary, sometimes partial re-growth in the spring and summer.

Whatever the reason for its onset, it doesn’t have to be long lasting, if the cause can be determined, actions can usually be taken to redress the problem and halt the hairloss

What Causes Hair Loss in Women

It is quite common to lose between 40 and 150 strands of hair a day, this is mainly from mostly from brushing and washing.  It is a totally natural process and is 100% normal despite the fact that it may look like a large amount of hair is being lost.  The normal course of nature makes room for new hair growth and this process is regularly repeated all through our lives.  It is if  you ever notice hair shedding in clumps or if large thinning areas start to appear that there is usually a problem that needs to be investigated.

What Causes Hair Loss in Women

Diet -   Vitamin deficiency, possible caused through a lack of protein can be a reason, ensuring that you are eating a well balance diet will certainly help to keep your hair healthy. Check with your doctor to make sure that you are not anaemic (which is another possible cause of hair loss).

The Menopause -When we go through the hormonal changes in our bodies during this time, hair loss is sometimes a perticularly unwelcome part of it and occasionally for some women the hair loss can be permanent.

Colouring and Frequent Washing -

Regular hair washing is commonplace as is adding colour to our hair.  Shampoo and colouring products contain many ingredients including a lathering ingredient called surfactant.  This is known to irritate the scalp causing a drying effect which in turn can cause itching and irritate the scalp possible causing more hair loss.  Regular use of bleach when colouring will also have an adverse effect on your scalpputting your hair under attack once again.

Stress and Physiological Stress – Undergoing major surgery, pregnancy or a serious life changing event can cause hair loss as can bereavement or divorce.  Quite often in these cases the hair growth will return.  Hair loss can also be a genetic link either inherited from either or both sides of the family tree.

Hair Loss can also be down to the onset of certain medical conditions. these can include – Diabetes, Lupus and Thyroid problems.

Alopecia Areata is autoimmune condition easily recognised by the appearance of large circular patches of baldness.  When it occurs, the immune system for many reasons attacks the hair follicles and the stress from discovering these patches causes even more hair loss. This makes fora distressing and sometime difficult to break cycle for the sufferer.   Naturally, your first course of action should be to visit your doctor.  Sometimes a course of Cortisone injections is one of the treatments that your Doctor may offer you.  The key to remember is that modern research is moving forward to try and stop the causes of hair loss in women.

A good head of hair is rightly considered to be a woman’s crowning glory and with this in mind there are some effective treaments and products available which have been proven to be highly effective.

Which Hair Loss Myths Are True or False

There are many rumours and tales about hair loss and why it happens, quite a few are simply myths, here are some of the more common ones:

‘Its your mothers side of the family that determines wether you are going to lose your hair - Its genetic’

Hereditary hair loss can actually be passed on by either parent, it is totally true that the maternal side has the strongest influence but not in all cases. It is quite probable that if hair loss tends to be present throughout the family that you will  be effected by it as well.

‘Frequent washing of your hair will make you go bald’

This is totally False , frequent shampooing has no effect, either positive or negative, on hereditary hair loss.

‘‘Taking natural supplements can stop hair loss’

For the majority of people, losing hair is a genetic problem caused by the way your hair follicles respond to certain hormones. Severe malnutrition can also cause hair loss, but this is not linked to hereditary hair loss. Taking the correct supplements can help

‘If I colour my hair it will fall out faster.’

Using hair colouring products can be hard on your hair and scalp,  bleaching and colouring chemicals especially strong ones may cause hair to break off, but again they are not responsible for hereditary hair loss

‘An average loss of between 40-100 hairs a day is quite normal – they usually just grow back again.’

This is true for most people,as they grow, new hairs push the older ones out, but those who suffer from HHL lose hairs from weak follicles that have deteriorated or are shrinking, these will increasingly produce hairs that are thinner and weaker and will eventually stop producing hairs at all.

‘Can I grow more hair follicles by using drugs’

No, the amount of hair follicles on your scalp is predetermined by genetics, nothing that you can do will change this.

‘Cutting  hair makes it grows back thicker and quicker’

False!.. hair usually grows around half inch per month, each hair is actually thicker at the bottom than at the tip, this is why our hair appears thicker just after a hair cut. The fact is that cutting our hair will not actually make it thicker or grow back any quicker.

‘Using a hair drier or heated tongs and straighteners can make my hair fall out’

Not totally true, but extremely high heat from driers and straightening tongs could well damage hairs and make them fall out. If you are suffering from Hereditary Hair Loss, as they grow back, the new hairs could well be thinner.

‘Men who are bald are sexier.’

Would be nice to believe this, but there is actually no shred of any clinical evidence to show or prove that bald men have higher levels of testosterone or any related hormones that could increase their sex appeal or virility