Alopecia Areata

 

 

  It is thought to be originated from autoimmune (illness of body’s defence system), though concrete reason is not known. In any part of haired skin, losing hair starts in a cırcular shape. It has been termed as ringworm in public. Sometimes that goes on with losing of hair on the whole head and even on the whole hair of body. Except from these, it is an illness that is called as recovery, not causing tissue inquiry and not regarding age, sex or race. It can be seen in any age whether child or adult.

  What is the reason of alopecia areata?

  Alopecia areata is an autoimmune illness.The immunity system starts to fight with its cells by seeing them as enemy due to an unknowmn reason in autoimmune illnesses.In that position,cells called lymphocyte which exist arond the hair roots secrete chemicals called cytokine and this situation causes hair loss.

  The illness has no relationship with the consumed foods.It may start after a stressful event like other health problems,but all illnesses do not have that.

  Does the illness have familial characteristic?

  Alopecia areata can be seen on more than one member of the family or other immun ilnesses like prenicious anemia and vitiligo can exist on other members of the family.

  Is the ilness infectious?

  Alopecia areata is not infectious.

  How is the ilness realized?

  Alopecia areata is generally fixed by barbers as it does not give a clear discomfort.Growing of the hair stops and it is separated from its roots.Alopeci areata shows three phases.Firstly,hairs lose suddenly and later area on which hair lose becomes wide.Finally,at the beginnig hairs start to spring up as white and gray.That situation may take months and even years.While new hairs are springing up,others may lose.

  May all the hairs lose?

  All the hairs of %5 affected patients may lose.This case is called alopecia totalis and may last very long.On less of %1 patients, body hairs lose totally and this situation is known as alopecia universalis.

  Is there another harm of the illness?

  Alopecia areata does not cause a physical illness,but affects the patient psychologically.

  How is the treatment made?

  It is a shame that there is no treatment which can supply a definite solution for the illness.It may slowly get beter by itself.New hairs are sometimes white or gray,later they turn to their original colours.

  Injection of cortisone to the hairless area may accelerate the springing up of the hair.This treatment is known as injection of intralesional cortisone.Anew growing of hairs is only seen on injected area.This treatment does not hinder the hair loss on new areas.Moreover; if hairs start to spring up, injections that are made additionally help the hairs to spring up.

  Lots of different techniques are used for the treatment of the illness.But results of these treatments are variable.Usage of some lotions make hairs to spring up on some people.For this aim,medicines which are made of cortisone or minoxidil and dithranol which is an irritating agent may be used.

  A substance called immunotherapy which may form a allergic reaction at a low concentration is applied to the hairless area in the treatment and forming of an allergic contact dermatit is supplied.Diphenylcyclopropenone (diphencyprone) is used very often for this aim.It is a shame that this treatment is irritating and disturbing and it frequently causes the growing of lymph gland.

  There is no reliable treatment technique in the situation of widespread hair loss.Pills which include cortisone and a light treatment called PUVA can be applied.However,these treatments have some side effects.

 

 

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