Diseases That Cause Alopecia Or Hair Loss

Often your hair condition can be an indicator of your internal health. There are over 40 different causes of hair problems. Hair growth can be influenced by various factors such as age, disease, environment or others. While alopecia (hair loss) can be bothersome, it can be easily managed with the help of early diagnosis and the right alopecia treatment.

Hair loss can be categorized into male or female pattern baldness, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, and many more. Amongst the different alopecia types, alopecia areata is one of the most common types of hair loss. AA affects 2% of the global population. (Source: NCBI) It results in circular hair loss patches occurring on the scalp or other areas of the body. This condition occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles.

Factors causing alopecia

• Hormonal disorders: Diseases that cause a hormonal imbalance weaken the hair follicles and affect hair growth. This hormonal imbalance can result in female pattern baldness. In women, excessive hair loss can also be an indicator of Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism can also trigger sudden hair loss in men and women.
• Auto-immune diseases: Studies have found that auto-immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis can cause hair loss. Moreover, vitamin D deficiency or Iron levels have also been directly linked to auto-immune diseases, including alopecia.
• The chances of suffering from hair loss are higher in people who have a family history of alopecia. People who suffer from asthma, dermatitis, anaemia, allergies, diabetes or thyroid problems are also more likely to suffer from hair problems. In some cases, hair loss can also be induced by stress and poor nutrition.

Common signs of hair loss include:

• Thinning hair
• Receding hairline
• Excessive hair fall
• Patchy hair loss

When to call your doctor?

Call your doctor about hair loss if:

• You have a sudden patchy hair loss
• You have patches of broken hair and incomplete hair loss on the scalp and/or eyebrows
• You are rubbing or pulling out the hair
• You suffer an unexplained loss of hair on any part of the body

How to treat hair loss?

There are many alopecia treatments available, all claiming to provide the best results. However, to choose the right alopecia treatment, it is essential to understand the reasons for hair loss. Cosmetic therapies only provide temporary results. With a variety of alopecia treatment options available, it can be challenging to choose the right treatment.

Some may benefit from the following hair loss treatments:

• Minoxidil:

Under certain circumstances, this topical preparation appears to provide modest hair regrowth on areas of the scalp that have gone bald. It works on hair follicles to reverse their shrinking process to stimulate new hair growth.

The effects are most promising in younger people who are just beginning to show signs of hair loss or who have small bald patches. The medication is a solution that is applied to balding spots twice a day and must be continued indefinitely; hair loss will recur if the application is stopped.

More than 50% of users claim that it can thicken hair and slow hair loss, but it is not considered effective in men who already have extensive male pattern baldness. Side effects appear to be minimal, but in some users, the medication may cause skin irritation.

• Finasteride

This is being used for male pattern baldness. It works by blocking the formation of the male hormones in the skin that can cause hair loss.

As with most drugs, there are side effects. Be sure to talk to your doctor about Finasteride to see if it is right for you. It cannot be used by women of childbearing potential because the drug can cause birth defects. Also, it may not be effective in older women.

• Corticosteroids:

Some doctors try to speed recovery with topical corticosteroid drops or steroid shots directly into the areas of hair loss on the scalp. The treatment may be somewhat painful and may cause skin thinning in the injected sites. Its potential side effects include weight gain, metabolic abnormalities, acne, and menstrual problems. Its positive effects are often only temporary.

Alopecia treatment in homeopathy

Homeopathy is a natural, safe and effective solution to treat your hair problems. The homeopathy treatment targets the root reasons for hair loss to provide lasting results. In an experimental study conducted, patients who sought alopecia treatment in homeopathy showed improvements that persisted for the observed over 12 months. (Source: The Journal of Medical and Pharmaceutical Innovation)

Alopecia Treatment at OHO Homeopathy

At OHO Homeopathy, our homeopathy doctors conduct an in-depth consultation with the patient for an accurate diagnosis. After diagnosing the type of hair loss, a unique and individualized alopecia treatment is planned out. Homeopathy medicines not only help in hair fall control but also stimulate hair growth. They are effective in treating hair loss without any side effects.

With a success rate of treating over 1 lakh patients, OHO Homeopathy is a trusted name in treating all hair problems. Worrying about hair loss can make the condition worse. Instead, consult our team of expert homeopathy doctors for a safe and long-lasting solution. Please spare some time and book an appointment with us.

Preventive tips:

• Go natural: Leave your hair its natural color and texture. If that is not an option for you, give hair time to recover between blowouts and chemical treatments. Don’t style your hair with tight braids.
• Choose products wisely: Use a basic shampoo designed for your hair type. When curling your hair, choose less damaging sponge rollers. Also, brush using a moderately stiff, natural-bristle brush, which is less likely to tear your hair.
• Brush properly: Proper hair brushing can do as much for the condition of your hair as any over-the-counter product. Using a proper brush, apply full strokes from the scalp to the tips of your hair to distribute the hair’s natural oil. Be gentle, and avoid brushing your hair when wet, when it is especially fragile. It is best to use a wide-toothed comb on wet hair.