A couple of months ago I noticed a number of bald spots at the back of my head. My GP says it’s a type of alopecia.
Alopecia means “loss of hair” or “baldness” and there are several different patterns of alopecia. A total loss of head hair is called alopecia totalis, while a loss of all body hair, is called alopecia universalis. In alopecia areata, the typical pattern is for one or more bald patches, the size and shape of a large coin, to appear on the scalp. These patches tend to develop quickly and, apart from the lack of hair, the scalp usually looks healthy. While alopecia areata can occur at any age, in about 60 per cent of cases the first patch of hair loss develops before the age of 20. Males and females are equally affected.
What could have caused it and could I have caught it from someone else?
Current evidence suggests that alopecia areata is caused by an abnormality in the immune system. For unknown reasons, the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles and disrupts normal hair formation. The condition can be associated with other autoimmune conditions such as allergic disorders, thyroid disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis. It often occurs within family members, suggesting a role of genes and heredity. Alopecia areata is not contagious.
I’m finding my hair loss distressing. What can I do about it?
There are a number of treatment options available. Corticosteroids can in some cases help control the autoimmune reaction and prevent the immune system from attacking cells in the body. Ultraviolet light therapy, steroid injections and topical sensitisers that irritate the area and cause hair to regrow may also be used.
Topical drugs may be used to treat alopecia areata and hair often regrows after 12 or more weeks of use. As the affected hair follicles are not destroyed they are capable of making normal hair again if the immune reaction ceases. This may explain why in some people, hair lost due to alopecia areata regrows itself and the condition may even disappear, even after years of having a bald spot.
Remission may be permanent or temporary. Many people learning to cope with alopecia areata find it helpful to talk to others who are dealing with the same problem.
For information, see alopeciaireland.ie
