Alopecia areata causes patchy hair loss: know its symptoms, causes, and treatments

We all lose some amount of hair every day, around 100 strands, and this is completely normal. But let’s be real: taking care of your hair can feel like a full-time job. From styling to damage prevention, things can be stressful. And here’s the kicker. Stress can actually lead to more hair loss, creating a vicious cycle. Daily hair loss is part of the natural hair cycle, but if you notice patchy hair loss, it could be a sign of another disease, such as alopecia areata. This condition occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your hair follicles, causing your hair to fall out in small round patches. This is a difficult condition to treat, but knowing more about it can help you find the right treatment and deal with it.

What is the cause of alopecia areata?

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, causing hair loss. In this condition, white blood cells attack hair follicle cells as if they were foreign substances such as bacteria or viruses, causing hair to fall out and stop growing. This often results in round, smooth hair loss patches that can range from small localized patches to complete hair loss and hair loss in severe cases. Although the exact cause is still unknown, common causes of alopecia areata include:

1. Family history (genetic)

Scientists aren’t sure why these changes occur, but genetics plays an important role in the development of the condition. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, people with a family history of the disease are more likely to get it. Approximately 20% of people with alopecia areata have a relative who also suffers from the condition. Nevertheless, the exact genetic trigger remains unclear.

2. Hormonal changes and medical conditions

Hormone fluctuations due to pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, or thyroid problems can all trigger hair loss. Furthermore, a review published in Clinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology in 2018 highlighted the link between alopecia areata and other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disease and vitiligo, and that these diseases impair immune function. It has been suggested that they may share an underlying cause of confusion.

3. Excessive stress

Excessive stress is another factor that has been noted in some cases of alopecia areata. Although stress is not the only definitive cause, stress can worsen the immune response and cause or worsen hair loss.

4. Medicines and supplements

Certain medications and supplements, including chemotherapy drugs, can cause hair loss, such as alopecia areata. Radiation therapy, especially to the head, can also cause hair loss due to damage to the hair follicles.

5. Hairstyles and hair treatments

Certain hairstyles and hair treatments, especially those that put too much strain on the hair follicles, can also contribute to the development of alopecia areata. Tight hairstyles such as ponytails and braids can increase your risk, and harsh treatments such as bleaching or chemical perms can damage your hair and lead to thinning or hair loss.

6. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies

Nutritional deficiencies of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D, B3, zinc, iron, biotin and amino acids can contribute to the development of alopecia areata, reveals Dermatological Practices and Concepts . Deficiency of these essential nutrients impairs growth and hair follicle function, increasing the likelihood of hair loss in susceptible individuals.

Although the exact cause of alopecia areata is not fully understood, it is clear that a combination of these factors contributes to this patchy hair loss condition.

Symptoms of alopecia areata

Common symptoms of this condition that you should be aware of are:

• Patchy hair loss: Alopecia areata mainly causes patchy hair loss, affecting areas such as the scalp, face, eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair. Hair usually falls out in coin-sized patches, most often on the scalp.
• Nail holes: In addition to hair loss, alopecia areata can also affect your nails. Changes such as thinner nails, split nails, loss of shine, and rough texture may be the first signs of symptoms.

Hair loss may occur suddenly within days or weeks. Patches usually do not cause other symptoms, but in rare cases they may cause itching (pruritus), a color change (red, purple, brown, or gray), or a visible mouth-like opening in the hair follicle ( It may also cause hair follicles. . Other signs may include black dots (hair shafts visible at the follicle mouth), exclamation mark-like hairs (short hairs that are thicker on top and thinner on the scalp), or white hair growth.

How to diagnose alopecia areata?

Diagnosis of alopecia areata usually begins with a visit to your health care provider, who begins with a physical exam. You will be asked when you first noticed hair loss and whether anyone in your family has had alopecia areata or an autoimmune disease. Your nails may also be examined because changes in your nails can be a sign of alopecia areata. Additional steps may be required if your health care provider needs more information to make a diagnosis. This may include:

• Observe the scalp to rule out infection
• Collecting a small sample of hair for laboratory analysis
• A scalp biopsy will be performed to check for skin diseases.
• In some cases, blood tests may also be done to check for other health problems that may be related to hair loss.

Treatment of alopecia areata

Although there is no cure for alopecia areata, there are various treatments that can slow hair loss or promote hair regrowth. However, treatment is not always successful, and some people continue to experience hair loss even after trying various options.

• local treatment Commonly used to aid hair regrowth. Corticosteroid creams can reduce inflammation around hair follicles, while minoxidil may help stimulate hair growth.
• Local immunotherapy Another option is to apply chemicals to the scalp to trigger an immune response and encourage hair regrowth.
  For mild infections, steroid injections are often given. Your health care provider will inject steroids into the bald area. Treatment may need to be repeated every 1 to 2 months. However, this treatment does not stop future hair loss.
• Oral treatment These include cortisone tablets for widespread hair loss, but they can have side effects. Immunosuppressants, such as methotrexate and cyclosporine, may also be used to reduce immune system activity.
• laser and light therapy It stimulates hair follicles using specific wavelengths of light or lasers to stimulate hair regrowth. Both are considered safe and effective.
• Some people explore natural therapy Things like acupuncture, aromatherapy, vitamins (like zinc and biotin), essential oils (coconut, tea tree, castor oil), and even onion juice. Dietary changes may also help improve symptoms.

If you notice symptoms of alopecia areata, consult your doctor immediately.