What is Alopecia Areata?
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease, which is a condition in which the body's immune system attacks the body's own healthy cells. This disease attacks the hair follicles. Hair follicles are structures where hair grows. This disease causes the hair follicles to become smaller and stop producing hair, initially causing hair loss to lead to baldness if left unchecked.
Alopecia Areata Risk Factors
Various risk factors for alopecia areata, including:
- History of the same disease in family members;
- Increasing age;
- Other autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus erythematosus.
- Have an abnormal color, shape, texture, or thickness of the nail.
- Psychological problems, such as stress, depression, anxiety, or paranoid disorders.
Causes of Alopecia Areata
Autoimmune disorders are the cause of alopecia areata. There are several triggers of this disease, it can be caused by viruses, trauma, hormonal changes, physical stress, or psychological pressure. People with other autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or type 1 diabetes, also often experience alopecia areata.
Symptoms of Alopecia Areata
Symptoms caused by alopecia areata include:
- Round pattern baldness in one or more places that were previously covered with hair, which is temporary but can also be permanent.
- Baldness that can extend to the whole scalp (alopecia totalis) and even the whole body (alopecia universalis).
- Disorders of the fingernails and toenails, in the form of nails that are deformed, have white lines with a thin and rough surface, or are split.
- Baldness that can be accompanied by a burning or itching sensation on the scalp.
Diagnosis Alopecia Areata
The doctor will diagnose alopecia areata by conducting a medical interview, physical examination, and supporting examinations such as:
- Analysis of scalp samples using a microscope in the laboratory, to determine the cause of alopecia areata.
- Blood tests if an autoimmune disease is suspected, to check for abnormal antibodies, levels of C-reactive protein , iron, thyroid hormone, testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH).
Complications of Alopecia Areata
Some of the complications of alopecia areata include:
- Baldness becomes permanent.
- Have a greater risk of developing or having a family with asthma, allergies, and other autoimmune diseases, such as thyroid disease and vitiligo.
- Psychological disorders in the form of emotional disorders due to loss of self-confidence, which can develop into depression.
Alopecia Areata Treatment
Until now, a suitable treatment to cure alopecia areata has not been found. The treatment given aims to stimulate hair growth so that it grows back faster. Medicines given by doctors, among others:
- Medication to stimulate hair regrowth.
- Drugs to suppress the immune system.
- Drugs to affect the immune system of the skin.
- Drugs to divert the body's defense system.
- Sun cream and wigs or hats to protect the scalp from the sun.
- False eyelashes and glasses are useful for protecting the eyes of people with alopecia areata from dust.
Prevention of Alopecia Areata
There are several preventive measures that can be taken to prevent alopecia areata, including:
- Limit the use of hair care devices that risk damaging or drying hair.
- Limit the use of chemicals for hair.
When to go to the doctor?
If you experience signs and symptoms as above, talk to your doctor immediately to find out the cause and get the right treatment. To do an examination, you can immediately make an appointment with the doctor of your choice at the hospital according to your domicile here