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Focal (alopecia, Areata) alopecia — symptoms, causes and treatment

Alopecia areata (also called alopecia, or Alopecia Areata) is a disorder of the skin of the head, which is a loss of hair small patches, so-called "centers" or "nests". The size, shape and number of such lesions can vary in a large range. Alopecia alopecia in medicine attributed to relapsing forms of baldness, and pathological processes can affect any part of the hairline.

Alopecia baldness, unlike

In the active stage of the disease in the field of hair loss the skin has a flat, smooth surface without any signs of damage. Only occasionally perhaps a little redness. In most cases, alopecia has multiple lesions.

The causes of alopecia (alopecia) alopecia

Causes of alopecia areata to date are not fully understood, as well as the risk factors. There are a number of theories and laws, but they do not have sufficient scientific basis. The only thing known for certain is the emergence of alopecia is greatly influenced by heredity.

Among other reasons that can trigger the process of hair loss, physicians are considering the following options:

  • constant stress;
  • disorders of the immune system;
  • serious injury (shock, lacerations and puncture wounds, etc.);
  • fungal and infectious diseases.

But it should be understood that the above factors only indirectly affect the development of alopecia, and may not be the root cause of the disease.

The development of alopecia areata usually starts with small spots, which eventually grows and can lead to complete loss of hair on the head or even the entire surface of the body. Most people have alopecia does not lead to extensive hair loss and is localized in a small area of the head. Currently only 7-8% of people with alopecia areata ends in complete baldness, and every year, thanks to modern treatment methods, these numbers will continue to decrease. About a quarter of people in addition to disturbances in hair growth, there are also pathologies in the formation of the nail plate. This may manifest itself as roughness, Shcherbatov, longitudinal striations and other forms of degenerative changes.

Alopecia areata: treatment and solutions

Modern medicine offers treatment for alopecia alopecia in three main areas: with the help of medications, hair transplant, laser treatment.

Drug therapy

After examination, the doctor prescribes the appropriate comprehensive treatment, which includes drugs.

By way of impact on disease, they can be divided into the followingcategories:

  • funds that have irritating effects on the hair follicles;
  • corticosteroid ointment – apply only if you have extensive baldness in adults, as have a number of negative side effects;
  • vitamin-mineral complexes;
  • physiotherapy;
  • immunosuppressants.

Women, before you start treatment of alopecia areata, you should consult a gynecologist and endocrinologist. Treatment of alopecia in women can differ significantly from men's treatment.

Treatment with laser

Some of the modern clinics offer the treatment of alopecia with the aid of laser radiation of low intensity. This leads to acceleration of the flow of biochemical reactions and enhance cell growth. As a result of increased blood flow around the follicles, improves blood circulation. In some cases, laser method shows good results.

Hair transplantation

A complicated and expensive procedure, the feasibility of which is questionable. Transplantation has a number of contraindications, and even successful surgery does not guarantee the achievement of the desired result.

Also, be aware that often, alopecia areata takes place, and in itself. In any case, before starting treatment of the disease, it is necessary to conduct high-quality diagnostics. After identifying potential reasons to begin treatment under a doctor's care.

Often the positive effect is also provided and public facilities. Most importantly, before hiring new substances you should consult a specialist, and then closely monitor the reaction of your body.

Features of treatment of alopecia areata in children

In children, alopecia is very rarely congenital, and occurs after birth. Hair typically begins to fall in the frontal and occipital parts of the skull. Many children aged two to three years, she disappears.

Learn more about the causes and treatment of childhood alopecia, read the article: hair Loss in children — causes and recommendations for treatment of children's alopecia.

Causes of female alopecia in children

Children, exactly like adults, the main cause of baldness is genetic predisposition. To trigger the development of diseases are malfunctions of the nervous system and the lack of thyroid hormones.

As a rule, in children female alopecia is accompanied by a change in the shape and tint of the nails, loss of gloss, increased fragility and the appearance of defects.

Hair loss in children can also be associated with some infectious diseases such as smallpox or pneumonia. But in this case, the hair growth will be fully restored immediatelyafter full recovery of the child. During diagnosis it is necessary, first, to eliminate the possibility of fungal infections, such as trichophytosis and microsporia.

Features of treatment of alopecia in children

In the treatment of disease in children assigned multivitamin complexes, UV radiation and injection of extracts of aloe and placenta. If the symptoms do not manage to overcome up to three years, the child, this problem may remain for life, and for treating pathological processes will require specialized procedures and plastic surgery.

Sometimes children alopecia alopecia can be confused with "pseudopelade of Brock." In the initial stages of the disease also manifests itself in the form of separate foci, which later merge and become the outlines of the flames. In the centers continues to grow for a number of remaining hair. When pseudopelade of Brock re-growth of hair on bald areas will not happen, but with timely treatment process of hair loss can be slowed down or even completely stop.

To prevent complications of the disease, should be systematically held with the child examined by a dermatologist. In the presence of foci of alopecia is not recommended to wash your hair too often as this will provoke an additional loss weakened hair.

It is very important to involve the psychologist to the treatment process. This disease affects the appearance of the child, and can cause irreparable harm to his psyche, reducing self-esteem and creating complexes.

Do not despair, if you or your child was diagnosed with focal alopecia. This disease does not affect the operation of other systems of the body and does not prevent to live a full life. And during treatment there is a huge selection of wigs for every taste.