Alopecia Areata explained in simple words by Dr-Vinod-Sonawane

Alopecia explained in simple words:

Alopecia or hair loss is a common problem which can be localise or generalise also it can be scarring or non-scarring.

Out of all alopecia androgenic alopecia is the most commonest type of hair loss in both sexes, in this androgenic alopecia there is a progressively decrease in the duration of Anagen phase (hair growing phase) and increase in the duration of telogen phase (shedding phase) and there is a miniaturisation of scalp hair.

So mainly alopecia can be divided as follows –

1) Localise non-scarring which includes

1. a. Alopecia Areata
2. b. Trichotillomania
3. c. Trauma
4. d. Infection

2) Localised scarring like e.g. lichen planopilaris , frontal fibrosing alopecia, infection, trauma, traction, neoplastic

3) Diffuse non-scaring example is

1. a. Androgentic alopecia is the most common
2. b. Telogen effluvium is also very much common
3. c. Alopecia areata
4. d. Anagen effluvium we see in cancer patient

Diffuse hair shaft abnormalities these are not that common in practice a) Example Monilethrix (beading of hair) pili torti (twisting of hair) trichorrexis nodosa, pili annulati (ringed hair), and loose anangen hair syndrome

We are going to discuss the most common problem especially in female that is telogen effluvium, it is actually nothing but increase shedding of hair. It may be associated with diffuse alopecia and reduce hair volume all over the scalp .basically the hair growth cycle is disturbed with which there is a premature conversion of a Anagen follicles to Telogen follicles. So more hair follicles are shifted from Anagen to telogen stage.

Telogen effluvium can be acute chronic or chronic repetitive. Usually there is a hair loss of greater than hundred scalp hair every day. This shedding causes diffuse loss where central and frontal hair loss occurs.

We usually ask for blood investigation like complete blood count serum iron serum ferritin Sr vitamin B12 and thyroid hormone levels

Causes of telogen effluvium are:

1. 1) Nutritional or stressful events or hormonal
2. 2) Even with drugs like antihypertensive or cholesterol lowering agents

Treatment of telogen effluvium is given according to the cause but usually multivitamin and or plus DHT blocker works very well.

For more investigation and treatment,

book appointment immediately

with our clinic and we shall guide you through the process and treatment modalities.