It is a hair problem that has no gender or age specificity. It can be seen in either males or females irrespective of their age. Hair is lost at a particular area and as a result patches are formed. This can be seen on any part of the body where there is hair growth. But then it is apparent in case of the scalp. These patches may slowly result in the complete loss of the hair from the scalp. 1-3% of the population is the victim of this hair disease.

Though alopecia areata is not a life threatening disease it may have a psychological effect on the victim. Baldness may lead to emotional disturbances and loss of self confidence. As a result, the victim finds it embarrassing to face the world. Alopecia areata can occur due to different causes. It can be treated with a specific treatment for a specific type of alopecia condition. This is the reason it is always better, and important to first ascertain the alopecia cause so that treatment can be rendered accordingly.

Different types of alopecia areata:

Alopecia areata is again differentiated based on the extent of the disease. They are

Alopecia areata monolocularis: Hair loss is seen in a single spot.

Alopecia areata multilocularis: Hair loss is seen in more than single spot.

Alopecia areata totalis: Hair is completely lost from the scalp.

Alopecia areata universalis: Complete body hair is shed off in this case.

Causes for alopecia areata:

Alopecia areata occurs due to varied reasons. Few of them are:

Genetic causes: Alopecia areata may be seen in an individual having of a family history of this disease. It is an inherited non contagious disease.

Most of the scientists believe that alopecia areata is a result of the failure of body’s own immune system. Hence, this disease is also termed as an autoimmune disease. The role of T-lymphocytes in the immune system is to destroy the infected cells of the body. It is believed that these T-lymphocytes act against the body’s follicular cells because of an autoimmune factor. As a result hair follicular cells are destroyed and hair is lost permanently.

Role of cytokines in alopecia areata:

Cytokines are glycoproteins that are necessary for creating innate and adaptive immune responses. These chemicals play a major role in cell signaling and communication. When a cell is infected, it releases cytokines into the surroundings to alert the immune system. After the cytokines are detected, T-lymphocytes attack that particular infected cell. Various studies have shown that these water soluble proteins (cytokines) play a major role in causing alopecia areata. They activate these lymphocytes against the follicular cells thereby destroying them.

Another hypothesis is that, some factors make all the hair follicles in a particular area enter the telogen phase on the permanent basis. As a result, the hair strands are shed off and do not appear again. Therefore, that particular area remains hairless.

Apart from this, excess stress, irregular diet habits and exposure to pollution also causes alopecia areata.

Treatment for alopecia:

Treatment for alopecia areata varies for different age groups. It also differs depending on the extent of the disease. The general treatments given for alopecia are

Usage of minoxidil solution.

Combinational therapies like Minoxidil and cortisone cream or minoxidil and anthralin

Topical immunotherapy with diphencyprone is the best available treatment for alopecia areata Other treatments include PUVA, combination therapies like minoxidil and cortisone cream or minoxidil and anthralin.

Usage of systemic steroids has also shown effective results in treating alopecia.
Patients can opt for intralesional cortisone injections into the scalp, beard area, or eyebrow area.

Apart from these using natural medicines can also enhance the growth of hair in case of alopecia areata. Onion juice (Allium cepa), Aromatherapy or use of Essential oils, Minerals, Flax seed oil, sources of N-acetyl cysteine, Chinese herbs like ho-shou-wu, ligustrum, eclipta, lycium, cuscuta, tang-kuei, achyranthes, psoralea, and hoelen in the recommended quantities etc are all naturally available medicines for alopecia areata.