Dr Rekha Singh, a senior consultant dermatologist in Oliva Skin and Hair Clinic, shares her knowledge about the most common concerns among men and women - hair loss. In this video she states that losing 50 to 100 strands of hair very normal and is not considered problematic. However, if hair loss is excessive and has a specific pattern - it should be worth paying attention to. The sudden hair loss could be triggered due an underlying medical condition. This medical term of losing excess hair is called alopecia. And when patchy hair loss occurs in a circular pattern, it is called alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is an auto immune disorder and occurs when body starts attacking healthy hair follicles on its own. Dr Rekha shares that dermatologist can help regulate body’s immune system to help regrow the hair. The doctor mentions that it is one of the most common forms of hair loss and affects a wide range of population at some stage in their life. Dr Rekha shares statistics of population affected at and at risk of Alopecia Areata.
She mentions the sub types of Alopecia Areata that include Alopecia Totalis, Alopecia Universalis, Diffused Alopecia Areata and Ophiasis. As per Dr Rekha, the signs and symptoms of Alopecia Areata are patchy hair loss during or after you shower or when you wake up in the morning. Also, if you notice round coin-sized patches that vary in size - it is a case of Alopecia Areata. Sometimes the pattern of hair fall may look like an exclamation mark. One of the very initial signs of Alopecia Areata can be visible on finger or toe nails. Nails become thin, rough and may have white marks or stripes. Dr Rekha mentions that this is an auto-immune condition, there are no specific precautions to avoid it. There is no particular cure for Alopecia Areata. But owing to developments in dermatology, this condition can be managed effectively. When someone with hair loss concerns visits a dermatologist, the dermatologist performs a hair pull test and examines hair and scalp using a telescope. If other auto-immune conditions are suspected too, then a skin biopsy and blood test can be recommended.
Dr Rekha goes on explaining the available treatment options to manage hair regrowth after Alopecia Areata. The duration of the treatment may vary upon severity of condition. The immunosuppressant corticosteroids are administered in the affected regions of hair loss. These injections suppress the immune response that cause damage to hair fall. This is one of the first treatment approaches for Aplocia Areata and it starts showing results as early as after four weeks. Severe Alopecia Areata is treated using topical immunotherapy which might take 3 months or longer to show results. Topical applications can also be prescribed for direct application on to affected regions. If alopecia areata is rapidly spreading, oral corticosteroids may be prescribed to stabilize the condition.
Dr Rekha shares valuable insights about the risks and side effects from Alopecia Areata treatments. One being temporary depressions, known as Dells. Topical immunotherapy may cause mild redness or rashes but it gradually subsides. Minoxidil has least amount of know side effects and thus it is very effective to use. There are certain limitations associated with the treatment as well. While the treatments can improve the condition, there is no treatment so far that can stop or reverse Alopecia Areata condition. Also, it depends on individual-to-individual basis which treatment options work best for them. There is nothing like - one treatment fits all.
The doctor shares expectations that one may set from the treatments. Although it largely depends on case to case, but typically hair regrowth starts can be noticeable within first three sessions.
Dr Rekha mentions one important point that often people rely on home remedies to treat alopecia areata. However, these home remedies are not science-baked. So, if you are rapidly losing hair, it is important to consult a dermatologist and get assessed.
Dr Rekha, in this video, answers some of the frequently asked questions about Alopecia Areata. Watch this video to find more!
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15 июл 2019
