Alopecia areata

 https://www.philahomeopathy.com/treatment-for-alopecia-areata/

Treatment for alopecia areata is a challenge and usually not successful. There’re no known protocols for the treatment of alopecia areata, but there are treatments for alopecia that you can try and these treatments might be able to slow down future hair loss or help hair grow back more quickly.

The condition is difficult to predict, which means it may require a large amount of trial and error until you find something that works for you. For some people, hair loss may still get worse, even with treatment.

Listed below are the most common treatments for alopecia areata

Medicinal treatment

Treatment for alopecia areata using pharmaceutical drugs is one of the conventional baldness treatments. You can rub medications into your scalp to help stimulate hair growth. Several medications are available, both over-the-counter (OTC) and by prescription:

• Minoxidil (Rogaine) is available OTC and applied twice daily to the scalp, eyebrows, and beard. It’s relatively safe, but it can take a year to see results. There is only evidence that it’s useful for people with limited alopecia areata.
• Anthralin (Dritho-Scalp) is a drug that irritates the skin to spur hair regrowth.
• Corticosteroid creams such as clobetasol (Impoyz), foams, lotions, and ointments are thought to work by decreasing inflammation in the hair follicle. Note that some of these medications can cause side effects.

Steroid Injections

This is a treatment for alopecia best used on people who have small patches of hair missing, it consists of having steroid injections placed in the area where the hair is missing. By doing this it intends to suppress the local immune system thus allowing the hair follicles in the area to function as they should do. There are downsides to this treatment, the first being there is no guarantee that it will work, and the second being it’s painful, very painful for the patient so may not be suitable for younger children.

Conservative treatment of boldness

The medicines listed below are frequently used by Western physicians for the treatment of bold patches are:

• Corticosteroids;
• Minoxidil;
• Dithranol;
• Anthralin;
• Azulfidine
• Apo-cycloSPORINE;
• Gengraf.

Natural treatment of alopecia areata or hair loss on the other hand has yielded successful improvement in the treatment of alopecia without causing any side effects.

Alopecia affects approximately 2% of the overall population, including more than 5 million people in the United States, according to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF). Alopecia Areata is considered a skin disease because it occurs on the skin of the hair, or scalp, and is usually diagnosed by a dermatologist. Luckily it includes no rashes, hives, or itching, although exposed scalp areas do require extra care.

In the 1990s, Alopecia Areata was classified as an auto-immune disease. Researchers found that the disease is the result of the body producing an inappropriate immune response against itself.

Boldness treatment is important because it changes an individual’s exterior and especially in females may lead to emotional problems, depression, and other conditions.

What is alopecia areata?

Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss. Alopecia Areata is the most common form of an unusual auto-immune skin disease resulting in patchy hair loss on your scalp. It usually starts with a small patch of hair loss and continues with one or more small, round patches of hair loss on your head.

Although alopecia can occur anywhere on the body, it is most distressing when it affects the scalp. It can range from a small bare patch, which is easily masked by hairstyling to a more diffuse and obvious pattern.

Alopecia Areata – Etiology and Pathogenesis

Modern medicine believes that Alopecia areata is an autoimmune syndrome and as a result of the immune system instability it considers hair follicles as strangers and fights against them. To fight against viruses, toxins, bacteria, and other visitors is the proper function of the immune system. That’s what this system is designed for. The problem starts when it mistakenly attacks itself. We can compare those attacks to friendly fire during the war, which is very dangerous because the confronted party does not expect an assault.  Hair follicles are tiny cup-shaped bags.  Hairs develop inside of these bags and then grow. As a result of an attack by the immune system hair follicles lose their functionality, and it can lead to partial or complete hair loss. By saying hair loss, we do not mean a loss of scalp hair. Some men lose hair on their chest, back, legs, etc. Women may lose pubic hair, eyebrows, and even eyelashes.

What causes alopecia?

The specific causes of alopecia areata are unknown. A family history of alopecia is present in about a fifth of all cases. Alopecia areata is occasionally associated with autoimmune diseases.

Normally the immune system protects the body against infection and disease. In the case of an autoimmune disease, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks some part of its own body. In the case of alopecia areata, the immune system attacks the hair follicles. For people whose genes put them at risk for the disease, some type of trigger starts the attack on the hair follicles. The triggers may be a virus or something in the person’s environment.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease progresses when the individual’s immune system considers by mistake healthy cells as foreign substances. Usually, the immune system protects your body from foreign invaders such as viruses and bacteria.

However, if you have alopecia areata, your immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles. Hair follicles are the structures from which hair grows. The hair follicles become smaller and stop producing hair, which leads to hair loss.

Scientists do not know the exact cause of this condition.

However, it occurs more often in people who have a family history of other autoimmune conditions, such as type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis. Because of this statistic, some scientists suggest that genetics could contribute to the development of alopecia areata and changes in genes are often causes of alopecia areata.

Scientists also believe that certain environmental factors are necessary in order to become the cause of alopecia areata in people who are genetically predisposed to it.

Symptoms of alopecia areata

The primary symptoms of alopecia areata are roundish patches of hair loss on the head, with the smooth, hairless scalp in the affected areas. Alopecia Totalis involves the complete loss of all scalp hair, and alopecia Universalis is characterized by the complete loss of all scalp and body hair.

Usually, small round or bold oval patches manifest development of the Alopecia areata, and the disease does not spread further than the size of a quarter. In some cases, however, the scalp boldness may advance to a complete scalp hair loss or even full-body boldness.

The version of Alopecia areata that causes boldness only on a face (beard area in men) is called alopecia areata barbae.

The impacted by the immune system hair follicles come to be small in size and the hair manufacturing extremely slows down.

Regardless of the immune process that attacks follicles, they retain the potential ability to recover, and appropriate treatment usually leads to a full salvage.

Alopecia types

The different alopecia types are associated with loss of hair on the scalp include,

Androgenetic alopecia (Genetic hair loss)

Androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern hair loss is a major problem affecting men and is such that by the age of 50, up to 50% of men who are genetically predisposed will be affected. It is characterized by progressive, patterned hair loss from the scalp and its prerequisites are a genetic predisposition and sufficient circulating androgens (steroid hormone such as testosterone or androsterone, which promotes male characteristics).

The condition is also fairly common in women and is referred to as female pattern hair loss. In women, “it is characterized by a diffuse reduction in hair density over the crown and frontal scalp with retention of the frontal hairline.

Telogen Effluvium (TE)

Telogen effluvium is one of the alopecia types, it is an abnormality of hair cycling which results in excessive loss of telogen (resting phase of hair cycles) hairs and is most common in women. Women with this disorder would usually notice an increased amount of loose hairs on their hairbrush or shower floor. The daily loss of hair may range from 100 to 300 hairs. It is thought that TE may unmask previously unrecognized androgenetic alopecia. The most common underlying cause of TE is stress; other causes include certain diseases such as thyroid and pituitary diseases, some medication, and childbirth, to mention a few. In many cases, however, no cause can be found.

Cicatricial alopecia (scarring alopecia)

Cicatricial alopecia, also known as scarring alopecia, refers to a group of rare hair disorders resulting from a condition that damages the scalp and hair follicle. They present as areas of hair loss in which the underlying scalp is scarred, sclerosed, or atrophic. In other words, the disorders destroy the hair follicle and replace the follicles with scar tissue consequently causing permanent hair loss.

Chemotherapy-related alopecia

Alopecia caused by chemotherapy may vary from slight thinning of the hair to complete baldness. The extent of alopecia depends on the choice of drugs and their dose. Drugs that cause severe alopecia include methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin, ifosfamide, vincristine, and taxoids to mention a few.

Traumatic alopecia

This is usually a very common cause of hair loss in women of some ethnic backgrounds (particularly women of African/Caribbean descent). It is caused as a result of hair grooming techniques by the use of hair reshaping products such as relaxers, straighteners, hot combs, foam rollers, and permanent wave products, as well as hair braiding methods.

The clinical prognosis for alopecia areata

Hair loss is not a fatal illness and probably is not a disease at all. It is only a symptom of the process that develops in a patient’s organism. Alopecia areata causes no physical pain or discomforts. This medical disorder mostly manifests in cosmetic signs, and individuals that are suffering from Alopecia are rather healthy and require no medical attention. However, for those patients who consider changes in their appearance as a critical factor, alopecia would lead to further neurotic reactions and thus becomes a serious matter.

The cosmetic changes caused by Alopecia areata are first and foremost generally and psychologically unsettling. Nevertheless, in cases of alopecia universalis that affects the whole body including eyebrows, eyelashes, nose, and ears hair, this disorder may cause a general vulnerability resulting in dust and bacteria deposits in the passageways mentioned above.

Also, a physician should remember that since alopecia areata is not a standalone disease, but only a symptom of the uncontrolled immune system activity, the same autoimmune bout may impact other parts and systems of a human body causing rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, juvenile diabetes, exophthalmic goiter, discoid lupus erythematosus, pemphigus, dermatosclerosis, scleroderma, Hashimoto’s disease, etc.

And as proof of my previous statement, Alopecia areata frequently happens in individuals with a family history of autoimmune medical disorders mentioned above. That’s why it is important to dig deep into the core of the problem in alopecia patients and to apply treatment constitutionally. Generally speaking, alopecia is only a cosmetic disorder, which would heal itself; hair will regrow, and it is only a matter of time. The goal of the medical practitioner in alopecia areata cases is to fix the autoimmune system and to take it under control preventing other serious diseases that may occur.

Natural treatment for alopecia areata

Natural treatment for alopecia areata is very effective in the treatment of alopecia areata. Listed below are the natural treatment of alopecia areata

Home remedies for hair loss – most popular natural treatment for alopecia areata

Home remedies for hair loss are one of the best natural treatments for alopecia that helps in boosting hair growth and strengthening hair follicles. Listed below are home remedies for hair loss

Onion

• Onion is a home remedy for hair loss that contains sulfur which stimulates the growth of new hair and aids in fighting free radicals that can cause damage. It also improves the circulation of blood in the scalp.

Honey

• Honey is also one of the best home remedies for alopecia areata. Slather some honey on your scalp to treat alopecia to clean away impurities that could be clogging your hair follicles. It also aids in strengthening hair and boosting hair growth.

Garlic

• Garlic is a home remedy for hair loss that is loaded with essential minerals like sulfur, zinc, and calcium that promote the growth of hair and aid in treating alopecia. It also improves the circulation of blood in your scalp, boosts collagen production, and cleanses hair follicles.

Chinese hibiscus

• This is one of the most miraculous home remedies when it comes to treating alopecia. Vitamin C present in this herbal flower boosts collagen production which is responsible for boosting the growth of hair follicles.

Lavender oil

• Massage your hair and scalp with lavender essential oil as it induces hair growth and strengthens hair follicles.

Aloe vera gel

• Aloe vera gel is a home remedy for alopecia areata that acts as a stimulant that increases blood circulation in your scalp and is effective in treating alopecia. Massage aloe vera gel onto your hair and scalp and leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing it off.

Curry leaves

• Essential nutrients present in curry leaves helps in preventing hair fall, stimulating re-growth of hair follicles, and help in avoiding pre-maturing graying of hair.

Vitamins – an essential component of any natural treatment for alopecia areata

Vitamins for hair loss is one of the natural treatment for areas that support the healthy function of the thyroid gland. The hormones produced by the thyroid control how quickly the body makes proteins. Human hairs are strands of proteins, primarily the protein keratin, made within the body from amino acids found in meats and other foods.

Some of the vitamins for hair loss like A, C, E, B3, B5, B6, and B12, are home remedies for hair loss that stimulate the follicles, returning them to an active state. Others are necessary for the body to absorb amino acids from dietary protein and reassemble them into structural proteins that make up the skin, hair, and nails.

Some nutrients are necessary for the health of the sebaceous glands, which are located within the hair-follicles. Omega-3 fatty acids, for example, support the health of the sebaceous glands. But, practically any nutrient that you can name is important for the hair’s appearance and growth.

Diet for hair loss – a must addition to any natural treatment for alopecia areata

Diet for hair loss is one of the natural treatments for alopecia. Diet for hair loss is a very important part of making sure your hair grows healthily. Studies have shown that depending on your genetic makeup, your hair will grow to about ¼ or ½ an inch after every four weeks. However, the health of your hair will be determined by the kinds of food you eat.

The following are foods you will need to include in your diet for hair loss

• Proteins: Human hair is 90% percent protein. You thus need to eat sufficient quantities of protein to keep your hair strong. There are various sources of protein including meat, eggs, cheese, and yogurt. Be careful though not go overboard as eating too much protein can lead to poor health in other parts of your body.
• Iron: You can prevent your hair from changing its pigmentation by eating foods rich in iron. Iron is also known to prevent excessive hair loss. Iron minerals are found in whole grain cereals, leafy vegetables, eggs, and dried fruits. But simply eating foods rich in iron is not enough. It must go hand in hand with foods that contain Vitamin C. This is because Vitamin increases the level of iron absorption in your body. Oranges, melons, bananas, avocados, and parsley are all good sources of Vitamin C.
• Zinc: Struggling with dandruff and a weak, itchy scalp? Then zinc minerals must form part of your diet. Zinc assists in soothing itchy scalps and also helps prevent hair loss. Zinc is found in meat, beans, fish, and dairy products.
• Silica: Silica is the nutrient for persons looking for strong hair. It is found in cabbage, cauliflower, sunflower seeds, rice, asparagus, onions, and strawberries. However, you must eat these foods in their organic form; the levels of silica, if the foods are processed, might not help stem the loss of hair.
• Water: No diet is complete without a good dose of water. Drink six to eight glasses of water each day to help your body flush out harmful toxins and speed up the circulation of nutrients all over your body including your scalp.

Acupuncture for alopecia – ancient oriental natural treatment for alopecia areata

Acupuncture for alopecia is also one of the natural treatments for alopecia areata or hair loss without any side effects. In one study, however, researchers did find that acupuncture for alopecia is sometimes better than medicine for the treatment of hair loss.

Acupuncture is effective in baldness treatment. This is a result of increased blood flow and improved circulation in the skin. Acupuncture for alopecia also helps stimulate hair follicles, nerves, and blood vessels so the hair loss will stop. Then, regrowth may begin again with additional treatment.

Homeopathic treatment for alopecia areata – #1 natural treatment for alopecia areata

It is important to understand that these medicines produce no curing effect and while they may stimulate and support hair growth, not a single drug from the list prevents the development of new blotches, or in point of fact cures the principal dysfunction.

Homeopathic remedies, selected with constitutional properties of each patient in mind usually produce a significant healing effect and in most cases control and cure the core of the alopecia areata. The list of homeopathic remedies for alopecia is big and as we all know not complete. The primary reason for the selection of the right homeopathic drug is the result of a “like cures like” investigation and the constitutional properties of each particular patient.

The list of the homeopathic remedies that I often use in hair loss cases consists of:

• Apis Mellifica;
• Graphite;
• Selenium;
• Arsenic Album;
• Calcarea Carbonica;
• Calcarea Phosphoricum;
• Kalium Carbonica;
• Kalium Phosphoricum;
• Hepar Sulphur;
• Carbo Animalis;
• Fluoric Acid;
• Psorinum;
• Rhus Toxicodendron;
• Sepia;

Homeopathic medicine applies to the individual as a whole system. Thus, a physician chooses homeopathic remedies only after completion of the full individualizing assessment, taking into consideration current symptoms, medical and family anamneses, somatic, corporeal and emotional constitution, etc.

To make an appointment for the comprehensive holistic evaluation and discuss if homeopathic treatment is the right choice for you, contact our clinic (267) 403-3085 or use our online scheduling application