Hair loss and thinning can be due to many factors but when the main diagnosis is alopecia areata, it’s best to seek treatment fast before the condition gets worse. Alopecia areata can affect people of all ages, male or female, which is why doctors and specialists all over the world are continuously developing various treatments.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune illness that destroys hair follicles and causes clumps of hair to fall out. Though there is no known cure, treatment can always be found as long as you consult your doctor. The amount of hair loss may depend from patient to patient but catching the condition early on can help with slowing down thinning or loss of volume.
For some individuals, the hair loss could only be temporary but for many, it might lead to permanent baldness. Common symptoms may also include loss of hair in different areas of the body and these patches may also grow larger over time just like on the scalp. In some cases, alopecia can also affect the nails and cause them to become pitted and brittle.
Kinds of Alopecia Areata
It’s important to categorize the different kinds of alopecia to know exactly how to treat it. There are four general types and they can manifest in different ways which are as follows:
- Alopecia Areata Universalis- This condition attacks the hair follicles all over the body.
- Alopecia Areata Totalis- This condition happens when an individual loses the hair on their entire head.
- Diffuse Alopecia Areata- This condition manifests not through hair loss or bald patches but by a sudden loss in volume or thinning.
- Ophiasis Alopecia Areata- This condition manifests through hair loss on the scalp and forms a band around the back and sides.
Forms of Treatment
Understanding the type of condition you have can direct you to the best possible type of treatment. Though there is no known cure, there are several treatment options you can try. There are natural ways you can treat alopecia and there are also chemicals that were formulated to help with hair growth. Whichever remedy you choose, it’s always best to consult a specialist before trying out a new type of treatment.
Natural/Home Treatments
Trying out organic remedies can actually be better than chemical solutions since some of them can prove to be too harsh on the skin. There are many types of ingredients that you can use to rub on the scalp to stimulate hair growth. Honey, coconut milk, almond, and rosemary oil are only a few examples of some organic products you can use.
Chemical Treatments
Minoxidil and finasteride are two of the most common chemical solutions highly recommended by doctors all over the world. The results can be as fast as a few weeks or a couple of months. Both treatments can help with the onset of alopecia areata or even conditions where bald patches have emerged. Although, it’s always better to consult your doctor before trying any type of chemical solution.
