Get to know Alopecia Areata, the Cause of Autoimmune Hair Loss

One of the causes hair loss is an autoimmune disease. This type of hair loss is known as alopecia areata. In this type of hair loss, the body is attacked by a weak immune system. The immune system attacks and damages hair follicles, causing hair loss and baldness.

This type of hair loss is common in both men and women. Generally, alopecia areata occurred before the patient was 30 years old. This condition most often affects the hair on the scalp.

When people with alopecia areata begin to experience symptoms, the body part of the hair follicle, which is where hair grows, slowly shrinks and stops producing hair. This then causes hair loss and baldness. This condition can occur gradually or suddenly.

Causes of Alopecia Areata

Appearance alopecia areata caused by the immune system attacking the hair follicles (autoimmune disease). This condition causes the discharge of proinflammatory cytokines and kemokin. This then causes the cessation of hair production. As a result, hair falls out and eventually becomes bald.

Until now, the exact cause of why the immune system attacks and damages hair follicles is not known. This condition is thought to be triggered by viral infections, trauma, hormonal changes, and physical or psychological stress.

The Risks That Alopecia Areata Sufferers Must Face

Although there is no definitive data on the causes of this hair loss disease, there are several factors and conditions that can increase a person’s risk of getting it alopecia areata, that is:

• Having a parent or close relative who suffers alopecia areata or other autoimmune diseases.
• Suffering from chromosomal disorders, such as down syndrome.
• Suffering from vitamin D deficiency, asthma, atopic dermatitis, SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), vitiligo, or thyroid disease, such as Hashimoto and disease graves.

Symptoms of Alopecia Areata

This autoimmune disease that affects hair loss can occur in people of all ages. However, it is more common when the sufferer is a child, teenager, or young adult.

This condition can cause baldness or hair loss in several parts of the body, such as the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, nose hair, armpits, pubic, mustache, or beard.

When a person experiences alopecia areata, the main sign found is hair loss or baldness that is not accompanied by pain. Like other autoimmune disease conditions, baldness and hair loss experienced by people with alopecia areata can be recurrent or flare. In addition, there are several other signs that can occur when someone has alopecia areata, namely:

Round or patch-like pattern baldness that appears in one or more places where hair used to be. Baldness occurs on the bottom, sides, or around the back of the head (ophiasis alopecia).

Hair that grows back generally has a different type from the previous hair, for example from the previous straight then after balding, the hair that grows becomes curly

Not only causes bald patches on the scalp, alopecia also has other types, namely if baldness occurs in one area as a whole, then this condition is also called alopecia areata totalis. Meanwhile, if it occurs in all areas of the body with hair, then the condition is called alopecia areata universalis.

Generally, hair loss in people with alopecia areata can grow back on its own. However, in some people with alopecia areata, baldness can become permanent. This means the hair does not grow back.

Not only attacking the hair, the nails of people with alopecia areata also often experience changes, including the nails look reddish, curved, or become rough and thin, so they are easy to split.

Alopecia Areata Treatment

There is no treatment that can cure alopecia areata. However, treatment will be carried out to relieve complaints, prevent recurrence of complaints, and help sufferers adapt and accept their conditions.

Drugs

Quoted from Alodokter.com, found in several cases, hair loss and baldness experienced by alopecia areata sufferers can recover on their own. Your doctor may prescribe medication to stimulate hair growth. Drugs that may be given are:

Minoxidil
This drug is used to stimulate hair growth. The dosage form of minoxidil commonly used to treat baldness due to alopecia areata is topical or topical. New hair growth can be seen three months after using this drug.

Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are used to suppress the immune system. This drug is available in the form of injections, ointments, and tablets. Injectable drugs are usually given to adult patients, while topical medications are usually given to pediatric patients. Meanwhile, corticosteroid tablets are consumed by people with extensive baldness.

Anthralin
This drug is used to treat scalp baldness. After being applied and allowed to stand according to the doctor’s advice, anthralin must be washed thoroughly so that the skin does not become irritated.

Diphencyprone (DPCP)
Diphencyprone is a drug used to divert the immune system from attacking hair follicles. The drug is applied to the area of ​​the skin that is botched. One of the signs of the onset of action of this drug is the appearance of contact dermatitis.

Self Handling Solution Alopecia Areata

Although not dangerous, sometimes alopecia areata can cause discomfort due to baldness experienced. Here are some ways you can do to overcome the discomfort you feel:

• Using wigs, hats, and applying sunscreen cream on the bald areas, to protect the skin from the sun.
• Shave the hair of the head, mustache, or beard so that baldness looks evenly distributed.
• Use glasses or false eyelashes, to protect your eyes from dust if you suffer from baldness on your eyebrows and eyelashes.

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