Types of Hair Loss or Alopecia

Tuesday 28 June 2011

The most common type of hair loss affecting men and women all over the world-even kids couldn't escape this type of hair condition-is alopecia. alopecia is said to be the medical term used to identify the loss of hair from the head or even from the body. Alopecia, unlike other causes of hair fall, is not due to any underlying illness. A person suffering from alopecia is said to be physically fit but with an unhealthy "ego" since a balding condition deteriorates self-esteem.

"alopecia areata" is a type of alopecia, wherein loss of hair in some or all areas of the body occurs, usually from the scalp during its first stage. "alopecia Totalis," which is observed in 1%-2% of cases, is experiencing hair loss on the entire scalp. With "alopecia universalis," total loss of all hair on the body was observed.

Another type of alopecia is "alopecia Barbie"; this type of loss of hair was observed on men especially in the beard area. A type of alopecia which results in scaly patches was also observed and is called "alopecia Mucinosa."

Male pattern hair loss or "Androgenic alopecia" is the thinning of the hair to an almost transparent state. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a male hormone, is said to be the primary cause of Androgenic alopecia. Since women produce male hormones too but of small amounts only, they are also prone to developing androgenic alopecia. Dihydrotestosterone, if accumulated in the scalp, causes the hair follicles to shrink; this is called "miniaturization." Once the hair follicle has miniaturized, eventually the older hair sheds off, growing "peach fuzz," a very thin transparent hair that resembles that of a cat's eyelashes. With this kind of hair growing on a certain area of the scalp, it would seem a bald spot is in its appearance.

To fight alopecia, you need to halt the cause-DHT. Here is one of the two most popular DHT inhibitors in the market today: there's minoxidil, originally formulated to fight high blood pressure but found out to possess a hair-growing side effect and was then used to regrow hair.

"Rogain" contains 2% - 5% moxidil and is said to be an effective over-the-counter topical drug that reduces DHT level in the body. Here are some of the severe side effects of Rogaine use: rashes, hives, or "urticaria" (swollen, pale red bumps); itching; difficulty in breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips and tongue; chest pain, dizziness; fainting; fast heartbeat; redness or irritation of the scalp; sudden, unexplained weight gain; swelling of the hands or feet and unwanted facial hair growth.

Finasteride is also an effective hair loss treatment and an accurate DHT inhibitor that was originally formulated as a treatment for "prostate enlargement" and "prostate cancer." It was found to possess hair-regrowing side effects and later on used in "Propecia," containing 1mg finasteride. Propecia is a prescription drug (not suitable for women) that is said to be effective to reduce testosterone levels in the body. Propecia or finasteride has side effects like erectile dysfunction, low libido and impotence.

0 comments:

 
by Templates para novo blogger 2007