Hair Loss - Causes, Treatments and Solutions for Men & Women Part 2

Alopecia Areata (Continued)

Alopecia areata is considered an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the hair follicles. Most alopecia patients do not have systemic problems and need no medical tests. Alopecia is also often blamed on "stress," but in fact, it's usually the other way around. Having alopecia causes the stress, at least until people find out what it is.
Treatments for alopecia areata include injecting steroids into affected patches to stimulate hair growth. This is not practical for large areas. Other treatments, such as oral steroids or ultraviolet light therapy, are either toxic or impractical. In most mild situations, patients can comb over the affected areas. In more severe alopecia, patients may wear hairpieces. Some men shave their whole scalp as that this look has become fashionable.

Traction Alopecia

Tight braids and ponytails can pull hard enough on hairs to make them fall out. If this happens, it's best to choose hairstyles that put less pressure on hair roots. The sooner this is done the better in order to avoid permanent damage.

Trichotillomania

This melodramatic name refers to the habit of pulling at hairs or twisting them, sometimes without realizing it. The scalp and eyelashes are often affected. Unlike alopecia areata patches, which are perfectly smooth, hair patches in trichotillomania show broken-off hairs. Treatment is entirely behavioral: You have to recognize that you're doing it and then stop!

Tinea Capitis (Fungal Infection)

Tinea capitis is also known as ringworm of the scalp. This fungal infection generally affects school-age children and may spread in schools. It appears as scalp scaling associated with bald spots usually showing broken-off hairs. Oral antibiotics are needed to penetrate the hair roots and cure the infection after which hair grows back