Overview
Alopecia areata is sudden loss of patches of hair when there is no obvious cause such as a skin or general internal disorder.
(See also Overview of Hair Growth and Hair Loss [Alopecia].)
Alopecia areata is common. It occurs in both sexes and at all ages but is most common among children and young adults.
Our individuality or uniqueness as a person, is the reason why some people experience it more severely than others. Homeopathy values this uniqueness of yours.
Do you know …
Shaving the head does not bring back, the hair lost in the bald patch. In fact, it acts as stress for already weak follicles and increases the speed of upcoming bald patches.
If I was not an actress, I would be a homeopathic doctor.
Lindsay Wagner
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Causes of alopecia areata
The cause of alopecia areata is believed to be an autoimmune reaction in which the body’s immune defenses mistakenly attack the hair follicles. Alopecia areata is not the result of another disorder, but some people may also have a coexisting thyroid disorder or vitiligo (a skin pigment disorder).
Recurrent and severe alopecia areata can prevent people from doing what they usually enjoy and starts to affect the mind as well. They may become shy, depressed and anxious. They may stop their activities, withdraw socially, and become preoccupied with their appearance. The mind-body complex is now fully affected and becomes a vicious circle which keeps an individual in suffering mode.
Symptoms of alopecia areata
Round, irregular patches of hair are suddenly lost. Around the edges of the patches are characteristic short, broken hairs, which resemble exclamation points.
The site of hair loss is usually the scalp or beard. Sometimes all the scalp hair is lost called as alopecia totalis. When hair is lost from around the side and back edges of the scalp it is called ophiasis, or hair is lost on the top of the head but not at the edges of the scalp called sisaipho. Rarely, all body hair is lost, a condition called alopecia universalis.
The nails may become pitted or rough, or the half moon at the base of the nails (the lunula) may be red.
Diagnosis of alopecia areata
A doctor’s thorough evaluation which includes physical; mental; emotional; social health and environmental influence. Through this evaluation doctors try to identify the causes, factors modifying it and the impact of it on the daily life quality of a person.
Doctors base the diagnosis of alopecia areata on the location and appearance of the patches. Doctors examine the scalp, body surface, and nails. To rule out other disorders, doctors may do testing.
Doctors ask how the person feels; eats; sleeps and goes through a routine day. Identifying these changes is critical because they can make the situation better or worse and, if present, must be treated for it to be treated effectively.
Homeopathic Treatment of alopecia areata
After a thorough evaluation, each case is worked upon and a set of similar medicines is derived, from which one single medicine which fits the patient’s presentation at that time, in relevant intensity and repetitions is given.
Some need only one medicine throughout the duration of treatment and some need few in sequence one after another across the treatment.
Timely follow-ups are essential to keep moving forward towards the goal of treatment and to identify, manage and overcome any obstacles to the outcome.
Outcome of Individualized Homeopathic Treatment
With Individualised Homeopathic treatment focused on the person who is suffering, the outlook is as follows:
- Reduces new patch emergence
- Brings back the lost hair
- Improves sleep
- Reduces recurrence
- Improves hair condition
- Restores function
- Better moods
- Improves quality of life
Each person is unique and hence the time taken for treatment and the results achieved are also unique.
Try to consult a well qualified professional homeopath who practices adhering to the tenets of Hahnemannian Homeopathy for Best Outcomes.