|
|
|
AlopeciaIntroduction Alopecia is baldness or loss of hair. The commonest form is male-pattern baldness (also known as androgenic alopecia), but both women and men can get hair loss. Alopecia areata is another type of hair loss, involving patches of baldness that may come and go. It affects about 1 in 100 people, mostly teenagers and young adults. In some cases, hair loss is a side effect of having cancer treatment drugs, but in many cases the hair grows back. Hair loss can lead to problems with confidence and self-esteem. Symptoms Male-pattern baldness is hereditary which means it runs in families. It usually starts to happen around the late twenties and thirties although this can vary. By the age of 60, most men have some degree of hair loss. Male-pattern baldness is so called because it tends to follow a set pattern. The first stage is usually a receding hairline, followed by thinning of the hair on the crown and temples. When these two areas meet in the middle, you have a horseshoe shape of hair around the back and sides of your head. Eventually you may be completely bald. Women's hair gradually thins with age but they only tend to lose hair from the top of the head. This usually gets more noticeable after the menopause. It is called androgenetic alopecia, or female-pattern hair loss, and also tends to run in families. Alopecia areata causes patches of baldness that are about the size of a large coin. They usually appear on the scalp but can occur anywhere on the body, including the beard, eyebrows and eyelashes. There are usually no other symptoms. Causes The average human head has 100,000 hairs. Hair is made in hair follicles (the root of the hair). Each hair grows for about 3 years then it drops out and a new one grows - we lose 40-120 hairs a day. Male-pattern and female-pattern baldness is caused by over-sensitive hair follicles. This is linked to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) that is produced by the male hormone testosterone. If there is too much DHT, the follicles shrink, so the hair becomes thinner and grows for less time than normal. The balding process is gradual because different follicles are affected at different times. Alopecia areata is linked to a problem with the immune system. The hair follicles are not permanently damaged and in many of these cases the hair grows back in a few months. In 1 in 5 cases it runs in the family. Some conditions such as anaemia (disorder of the blood), illness, stress (including bereavement), fungal infections and thyroid problems can make you lose some of your hair, as well as drug treatment for cancer. Women who are pregnant or have recently given birth may also experience some hair loss. Hair loss is not caused by a lack of any vitamins in the diet. Diagnosis Male-pattern baldness is usually easy to identify because of the pattern it follows. It usually begins with a receding hairline in the late twenties or thirties, but can start earlier. At first, you may notice that your hair is starting to get thinner. Female-pattern baldness usually becomes noticeable after the menopause; the hair on top tends to thin first. If your hair loss does not follow the typical pattern as above you should see your GP to find out what is causing it. It could be linked to an illness such as anaemia or a fungal scalp infection. Your GP may refer you for more tests or suggest that you see a dermatologist. With alopecia areata, there are no obvious symptoms other than patches of baldness, so your partner or hairdresser may notice it before you do. Treatment If hair loss is caused by an infection or a condition such as anaemia, treating the infection or condition may prevent further hair loss. In some cases, including after cancer treatment, your hair may start to grow again. There are two medicines available that are known to be effective in treating male-pattern baldness finasteride and minoxidil. Finasteride works by preventing the hormone testosterone being converted to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT causes the hair follicles to shrink, so blocking its production allows the hair follicles to regain their normal size. Although more research is needed, studies suggest that in two-thirds of men who take finasteride there is some hair re-growth. In the remaining third there is no hair re-growth, but most do not experience any further hair loss. It normally takes at least 4 months of using finasteride before any effect is seen, and the balding process will normally resume if treatment is stopped. Finasteride is not available on the NHS, but is available on private prescription from your GP. It comes as a tablet that you take every day. Side effects are uncommon, although about 2 in 100 men, who use it, experience a loss of sex drive. Minoxidil is available as a lotion that you rub on your scalp every day. It is available from pharmacies without prescription. It is not clear how minoxidil works, but studies suggest that the balding process will slow in about half of those men who use it, and that about 15% of those who use it will experience hair re-growth. However, about a third of men who use minoxidil will not see any change to their hair loss. Like finasteride, minoxidil normally needs at least 4 months of use before any effect is seen, and the balding process will normally resume if treatment is stopped. Any new hair that does re-grow falls out two months after treatment is stopped. Side effects are uncommon. Currently, the only medicine available to treat female-pattern baldness is minoxidil. Minoxidil lotion may help hair to grow in 20-25% of women who use it, and in the majority it may slow or stop the loss of hair. Other treatments for hair loss include wigs, hair transplants (taking hair from the sides and back of the head) and plastic surgery (such as scalp reduction where the bald area is removed and the bit with hair on is stretched forward). There is no really effective treatment for alopecia areata. Some treatments can encourage hair to grow, such as steroid injections or creams, or minoxidil lotion see your GP for more information. In 60-80% of cases the hair grows back after about a year without any treatment. In some cases there are underlying causes for alopecia such as stress, shock or other emotional or mental problems and in some instances therapists can help with treating the patient for these problems and then the hair will start growing again. Local treatments to the scalp should concentrate on massage to stimulate the circulation and the general health of the skin of the scalp. Lavender, Rosemary and Thyme essential oils are the best ones to try. Try putting some of the essential oils into Sweet Almond or Jojoba base oil and massaging into the scalp twice a week leaving on for 2 hours before shampooing with a natural shampoo. Good nutrition is important to the health of the hair especially concentrate on getting adequate protein and Vitamin B. |
|
| Copyright © Think Aromatherapy 2008 | Web design by 7Soft.co.uk |
