What is alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata is a
hair-loss condition which usually affects the scalp. It can, however, sometimes affect other areas of the body. Hair loss tends to be rather rapid and often involves one side of the head more than the other.
Alopecia areata affects both males and females. This type of hair loss is different than male-pattern baldness, an inherited condition.
What are the possible causes of scarring alopecia ?
Scarring alopecia or cicatricial alopecia can be due to a number of causes; to enlist a few :
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Heriditary or developmental.
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Infection of the hair follicle (bacterial, fungal etc.).
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Trauma like that of burns, radiation, chemical injury or mechanical injury.
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Neoplastic (cancer) conditions such as squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, lymphomas or secondary metastases.
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Due to inflamation of the underlying dermis in diseases like syphilis, tuberculosis, herpes zoster, sarcoidosis, pyoderma gangrenosum, cicatrical pemphigoid and morphea.
What are the possible causes of non-scarring alopecia ?
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Alopecia areata - Bald patches appear on the scalp, eyebrows, moustache or the beard area. It is an autoimmune condition.
Male pattern or Androgenic alopecia - seen in those who are genetically predisposed.
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Stress induced alopecia - due to:
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emotional stress
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starvation
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crash diets
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Malaria, Tuberculosis, Typhoid etc.
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after surgery
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in hepatic or renal failure
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Iron and Zinc deficiency
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Post pregnancy.
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In patients with thyroid or pituitary disorder.
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Patients with collagen vascular disease.
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Drug induced - Patients on anti-cancer treatment, anti-thyroid drugs, cholesterol lowering agents and patients on anticoagulant therapy suffer from hair loss.
Why homeopathy for Alopecia Areata?
Major benefits of homeopathy could be summarized as under:
It addresses altered immune system, treating the roots of this autoimmune disease.
It is not superficial but deep acting; gives lasting to almost permanent results in most cases.
It is absolutely harmless, safe and non-toxic.
Duration of treatment :
The total length of treatment varies form case to case, depending of the following factors:
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Duration of Alopecia
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Areas affected (scalp, beard, moustache, limbs, other body areas)
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Extent of spread (Small or large; one or multiple spots)
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Previous medication (Extensive use of oral or local cortisone)
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Associated diseases like Under active thyroid, diabetes, other diseases,
One may expect a definite change in about three to five months, depending on the extent. The total length of medication may be anything between six months to two years or longer.
Cases of Alopecia Totalis (universalis) do not respond to homeopathy.
The Limitations of homeopathy :
It is relatively slow acting as compared to the steroids.
It gives no results in cases of Alopecia Totalis (full body hair loss) The success rate is not 100%.
What are the do's and don'ts for patients with alopecia ?
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Use a good shampoo once or twice a week. Choice of shampoo depends on the hair type (normal, dry or oily).
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A diet rich in proteins, iron and zinc should be consumed.
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Drink 7 - 8 glasses of water everyday.
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Psychological stress and anxiety lead to hair loss, so keeping them at bay is very important.
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Physical trauma to the hair shaft caused due to vigorous combing, excessive shampooing, drying or brushing should be avoided.
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Beware of trendy styles such hair bleaching and dying, they might cause more harm than good.
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Avoid hair perming or straightening.
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Use of rubber bands, buns and braids must be avoided.
How to get started with the treatment?
Dr Shah's online treatment works on simple 3 steps. Please
click here for more details.