HAIR LOSS

ALOPECIA AREATA

BEENISH SARFRAZ

Introduction:•An autoimmune condition in which hair is lost from any part of body especially from scalp.•Body’s immune system attacks itself.•Causes smooth round patches of hair loss on scalp.•Is also known by “Spot Baldness”.•Hair can re-grow usually.

Forms of Alopecia areata:•Alopecia areata -- patches of hair loss, usually on the scalp, but they also can be in the beard or other areas•Alopecia totalis -- complete loss of scalp hair•Alopecia universalis -- total loss of all body hair

Alopecia totalis

Alopecia areata

Patterns of Alopecia areata:•Well-defined spot (oval/round) of hair loss•Diffused form of hair loss (thinning of hair )•"Exclamation-mark" Hair form•Completely bald and smooth.

Who gets Alopecia areata:•Men, women, children all can get the disease.•But rare in children below age 3.•Disease tends to occur most often in adults 30 to 60 years.•People having relatives with the disease have greater chances of getting disease.•People having family members suffering from an autoimmune disease (diabetes, lupus etc) are at high risk.

POTENTIAL

CAUSES FOR

ALOPECIA

AREATA

CHRONIC

STRESS

SUDDEN

SHOCK OR

TRAUMA

MEDICATIONS

PREGNANCY/

HORMAONES

VIRAL INFECTION OR ILLNES

S

ALLERGIC REACTION

GENETICS

OTHER AUTOIMMUNE

CONDITIONS

Causes of Alopecia areata:•An autoimmune disease caused by an abnormality in immune system.•Immune system attacks the hair follicles.•Secrets T-cell lymphocytes around follicles in abundance.•T-cells cluster around hair follicles causing inflammation and leads to hair disruption.•Having any of other autoimmune disease can also cause Alopecia areata.

SYMPTOMS OF ALOPECIA AREATA:•REDDISH SMOOTH PATCHES OF HAIR LOSS•SOME MAY FEEL BURNING SENSATION OR ITCHING•PATCHES MAY BE SEEN ON BEARD, EYEBROWS, ARMS LEGS ETC•LOSS OF ALL SCALP HAIR (ALOPECIA TOTALIS)•LOSS OF ALL SCALP AND BODY HAIR (ALOPECIA UNIVERSALIS)

Diagnosis of Alopecia areata:•Looking at the hair loss. (Hairs will be looked at under a microscope)•Skin biopsy (Dermatologist removes a small piece of skin to examine )•Blood tests (To confirm if patient have another autoimmune disease)

Treatment of Alopecia areata:Drugs that are mainly used for treatment of Alopecia areata:•Corticosteroids: Anti inflammatory drug given in the form of injections•Rogaine (minoxidil):Usually takes 12 weeks of treatment•Short contact Anthralin therapy•Irritating drugs in the form of shampoos or creams may be applied

• Clobetasol (Clobex)• Fluocinonide (Lidex) for the scalp

TREATMENT PRODUCTS

Corticosteroid treatment

Products for treatment of Alopecia

areata

Other tips for Alopecia areata:•Using makeup to hide or minimize hair loss•Wearing coverings (wigs, hats, or scarves)•Reducing stress

Conclusion:•An autoimmune disease.•Appear to be T-cell mediated•Can cause emotional and psychological distress•Have genetic basis too and can run in families•Hair re-growth usually occurs