Alopecia Areata [AA] or “spot baldness” is an autoimmune disease of the scalp and other hairy areas of skin. In this disease body’s own cells destroy healthy tissue like hair follicle and cause temporary hair loss. AA presents as small bald patches with normal underlying skin. This condition is usually associated with other autoimmune disorders like Diabetes , thyroid disorder etc. This condition can cause single or multiple bald patches on any hairy area of skin specially on the scalp. Alopecia areata is reversible condition and can be managed easily with topical and oral medicines.
Hair loss, also known as alopecia, affects millions of men and women every year. Most people naturally shed about 50 to 100 hairs a day, but sometimes men and women can shed much more, leading to thinning hair, hair loss and over time, baldness. The causes of hair loss can be a result of hormones, underlying medical conditions, medications, or purely genetics and can run in families. Understanding the reason for each person’s hair loss is the key to re-growing hair. Our healthcare providers will put together a personalized treatment plan for each individual patient, based on their underlying causes of hair loss. This can include topical treatments (which can be rubber into the scalp to help stimulate hair growth), oral medications, injections and more.
What is alopecia?
There are many different types of alopecia, or hair loss. The causes of hair loss include underlying medical conditions, genetics, changes in hormones, medications, and even stress. Our providers will discuss your concerns and evaluate your symptoms to determine the best treatment plan for you.
Who can be affected by alopecia?
Alopecia affects millions of men and women every year. Most people naturally shed about 50 to 100 hairs a day, but sometimes men and women can shed much more, leading to thinning hair, hair loss and over time, baldness.
Is alopecia an autoimmune disease?
Alopecia areata is the type of alopecia that is an autoimmune disease that can cause hair loss on the scalp and other areas. It begins as one or multiple round smooth patches in an area of hair growth. The affected hair follicles are mistakenly attacked in a person’s immune system and cause the patches of hair loss. In some patients, the hair growth can occur spontaneously and others can improve with treatment.
How is alopecia treated?
Our healthcare providers will put together a personalized treatment plan for each individual patient, based on their underlying causes of hair loss. This can include topical treatments, oral medications, injections and more.
How long does it take to see results?
Results may vary for each patient depending on gender, age, and cause of hair loss. However, the majority of patients tend to see results by the third month of consistent treatment.
Does minoxidil work?
Minoxidil, or Rogaine, works best for androgenic alopecia because it targets DHT, which is a testosterone that impedes hair growth. Minoxidil does not work as well for alopecia areata because it is an autoimmune response.
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