Alopecia areata is baldness or hair loss caused by an autoimmune disease. At Alopecia areata, the immune system attacks and damages the hair follicles, thereby causing loss hair and baldness. The bald scalp with a hump shape is one of the signs of this condition.
Alopecia Areata can be suffered by men or women. Generally, alopecia areata occurred before the sufferer was 30 years old. This condition most often affects the hair that is in the scalp.
When experiencing alopecia areata, the hair follicle, which is where the hair grows, becomes shrunk and stop producing hair. This then leads to loss hair and baldness. This condition can occur gradually or suddenly.
Risk Factors of Alopecia Areata
Various risk factors of alopecia areata, among others:
- The same history of illness on family members;
- Age increase;
- Other autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus erythematosus.
- Has an abnormal color, shape, texture, or thickness of nails.
- Psychological problems, such as stress, depression, anxiety, or paranoid disorders.
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Alopecia Areata Causes
There are several triggers of this disease, which can be caused by
- Viruses,
- Trauma,
- Hormonal changes,
- Physical pressure, or psychic distress.
- Other autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or type 1 diabetes, are commonly often subjected to alopecia areata disease.
Alopecia Areata Symptoms
Symptoms caused by alopecia areata, among others:
Pattern baldness
Pattern baldness is rounded in one or more places that have been overgrown with hair, which is temporary but can also be permanent.
Alopecia totalis and alopecia Universalis
Baldness that can extend to the whole of the scalp (alopecia totalis) and evenly throughout the body (alopecia Universalis).
Disorders of the fingernails and toes
The disorders of the finger and toe nails, in the form of shape-changing nails, has a white stripe with a thin, rough surface, or split.
Itching or burning sensation
Baldness that can be accompanied by a sensation of burning or itching on the scalp.
Diagnosis of Alopecia Areata
The doctor will determine the diagnosis of alopecia areata from symptoms and physical examination of hair loss. Some strands of hair will also be examined under a microscope. Some additional checks can be made to confirm the diagnosis.
The scalp biopsy examination by taking a little scalp can be done to get rid of any possible causes of other hair loss such as fungal infections or tinea capitis.
Blood screening can be done to ensure the presence of autoimmune diseases such as antinuclear antibodies, CRP, iron levels, thyroid hormones, testosterone, FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone).
Alopecia Areata Home Remedies
Although not contagious, alopecia areata certainly interferes with comfort and reduces self-confidence. However, you do not worry, because there is a home treatment to solve alopecia areata, some of which are:
Korean Red Ginseng
Red Ginseng from Korea is thought to help regrow hair that is falling in the alopecia areata. This home ingredient also helps promote hair growth.
Onion juice
Try to apply red onion juice to the area of the body or scalp that is experiencing baldness due to alopecia areata. Reportedly, this onion juice helps to promote hair growth as well as red ginseng. The suggested use is twice daily, and try to do it for up to a two-month period.
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Acupuncture
The method of electrical acupuncture or electroacupuncture involves the needling needles that have been installed on a device that produces electrical impulses in certain parts of the body that are experiencing alopecia. Reportedly, this method helps to inhibit the change related to certain alopecia in skin cells.
Aromatherapy
Apparently, aromatherapy treatments involving essential oil blends, lavender, rosemary flowers help treat alopecia areata for some people. The treatment is done by massaging the scalp with the mixture every day for seven months. As a result, an increase in hair growth in the area of the body suffered from this disorder.
Anti inflammatory Foods
Green vegetables, nuts, and grains are well consumed because it is a type of anti-inflammatory food. The content of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and essential minerals that the body needs to help reduce the negative effects of alopecia areata.
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