Massive Loss? Beware Alopecia Areata!

People worldwide, from children to adults, young and old, have experienced hair loss, whether due to stress-damaged hair or lack of care. However, hair loss causes baldness or spots called Alopecia Areata. Hollywood actor Will Smith's wife, Jada Smith, suffered the same disease.

Alopecia Areata is baldness or hair loss that often causes bald spots or patches in the hairy area—many of which take various shapes but are often oval or round—mostly affecting the head. The sufferer's immune system damages and attacks the hair follicles until they shrink and no longer produce hair (Autoimmune); the loss area will generally be tingly or painful. In this case, the hair near the patch or bald spot will be pulled out more easily than other healthy parts. This baldness occurs either suddenly or gradually.

Some identify Alopecia Areata as a biblical nether condition, part of the major tzaraath skin disorders.

Alopecia Areata can attack just one area evenly, called Alopecia Areata Totalis. Some attack all body parts that have hair, called Alopecia Areata Universalis. This disease predominantly attacks people who have not reached the age of 30-40 years. Most often occurs in teenagers, early childhood, or young adults, even in people with conditions related to the immune system.

The nails of Alopecia Areata sufferers often experience changes; for example, the nails appear curved reddish and become rough or thin, so they split easily.

Causes of Alopecia Areata

The cause of Alopecia Areata is immunity or autoimmune. It is still unclear and certain why the immune system attacks hair follicles. Still, this condition can be triggered by severe stress, trauma, viral infections, or hormonal changes.

Some factors can increase the risk of contracting Alopecia Areata, namely the offspring of people suffering from Alopecia Areata, chromosomal disorders, lupus, topical dermatitis, vitamin D deficiency or thyroid disease. Alopecia Areata is not an infectious disease; genetic factors appear to play a greater role in causing a person to suffer from this disease. In addition, the disease has a genetic risk in people with rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, and type 1 diabetes.

Symptoms of Alopecia Areata

Symptoms of Alopecia Areata itself include patchy baldness in one or more places with hair. Baldness usually occurs on the sides, bottom, or circles. This baldness or hair loss often recurs, not just once at first. Hair loss and growth in different areas occur simultaneously; this disease can be reduced temporarily or permanently. Alopecia Areata has a huge impact on the sufferer's mental health. People with this disease are susceptible to depression and decreased quality of life, caused by decreased self-confidence due to hair loss and even baldness.

A study conducted in 2010 identified that 129 single nucleotide polymorphisms were associated with Alopecia Areata. The genes involved control the activation and proliferation of regulatory T cells.

Can Alopecia Areata Be Cured?

Alopecia Areata sufferers can generally regrow their hair, but baldness occurs permanently in some cases. 34–50% of sufferers experience spontaneous healing within one year, 67% who lose less than 25% of their hair will show growth. In contrast, sufferers of total Alopecia Areata mostly remain stable or get worse.

Until now, no treatment can cure it completely, but certain drugs can help stimulate hair again.

Alopecia Areata Medicine

1. Corticosteroids are given in topical medication, oral medication, or injections in bald areas.
2. Minoxidil: Stimulates hair growth and can be seen after three months of use.
3. Diphencyprone (DPCP): By rubbing it on the bald area, this drug causes allergic reactions such as redness to divert the immune system to deal with allergic reactions.
4. Anthralin: This drug is applied to bald skin to affect the immune system and must be washed off after 1 hour of use.

The 2014 finding that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved oral ruxolitinib, a drug for myelofibrosis, has restored some people's severe and long-standing hair growth. The price of the drug is around 10,000 USD per month.

On the other hand, sufferers will dress themselves up using wigs to help increase self-confidence due to the impact of Alopecia Areata.

If you experience unusual and unnatural hair loss, it is a good idea to immediately contact a doctor for further examination and treatment, and if it is proven that you have Alopecia Areata, you can proceed to treatment according to the doctor's procedures, namely:

Alopecia Areata Treatment

1. Scalp biopsy to detect scalp cell abnormalities and determine the cause of hair loss or baldness.
   
2. Perform blood tests to assess Antinuclear Antibody (ANA), iron, thyroid hormone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Testosterone, C-reactive Protein, and Erythrocyte sedimentation.

Managing stress can also help prevent this disease. Do things that can relieve stress, such as going on holiday, getting enough rest, eating healthy and nutritious food, and going to the doctor regularly to maintain your health and detect any disease early.

Image source: Alopecia Areata Images | Flickr - Hole BioPic 05 F