ALOPECIA

Alopecia simply refers to hair shedding. The common variants of Alopecia include Diffuse Alopecia, Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Totalis and Alopecia Universalis. The various forms of Alopecia as listed above will be looked at individually. It should be noted that this in not designed to assist self diagnosis and that professional advice should be sort in any case of hair shedding.

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ALOPECIA AREATA

Alopecia Areata is a highly unpredictable autoimmune skin disease which causes the unnatural loss of scalp hair. In some cases of Alopecia Areata, body hair may also shed in a similar fashion. Typically, the Alopecia Areata symptoms include small circular round bald patches of hair loss which may multiply. These bald patches may expand and join together. The skin itself may exhibit stubble and may be pink or spongy. The skin in some cases may present flakes, but in cases of Alopecia Areata it tends to present as smooth skin.

Recurrence is a possibility. Alopecia Areata is not contagious. Symptoms can be similar to other diseases some of which may infect others -especially the young. Professional advice should be sought at the earliest opportunity in cases of Alopecia Areata. Alopecia shows no affiliation to gender. It is suggested that Alopecia Areata affects up to 2% of the population.

So why does this affect so many of us? Genetic predisposition is a common conception which would of course account for the fact that the amount of Alopecia Areata cases is on the increase. Of course the most widely used cause is stress! Many would suggest that this has nothing to do with Alopecia Areata. I would suggest that this is far from the truth. We must consider the structure of the body and that fact that stress affects us quite naturally in most of the every day things that we do. Yes our body is programmed to accept and deal with a certain level of stress but what happens when the body takes on too much stress?

In the extreme in such a case of a heart bypass operation, the body would be under extreme stress causing the body to concentrate its efforts on protecting the heart utilizing the immune system thus the remaining body has a reduces natural defense. Which leaves us open to certain malfunctions one of which is a break down of the autoimmune system leading in some cases to Alopecia Areata or to more serious events such as Alopecia Totalis or Alopecia Universalis.

Taking this into account it is evident that virtually any kind of physical stress or trauma could lead to a form of Alopecia.

Alopecia may lead to Alopecia Totalis which refers to total loss of scalp hair. The more serious the form the less chance there is of sustaining any form of recovery therefore it is no important to seek professional advice at the earliest opportunity. The most severe cause known as Alopecia Universalis refers to total loss of all body hair.

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TREATMENT

Some would suggest that treatment is always necessary? This is not always the case. Alopecia Areata may re grow spontaneously. However, It must be stressed that Alopecia Areata may benefit from some form of treatment. Those cases that continue to Alopecia Totalis or Alopecia Universalis may have been prevented if treatment was administered.

We have two forms of treatment in cases of Alopecia Areata which include the traditional allopathic approach or the homeopathic method. If you would like to find out more about these treatment please contact the helpline right of page and a trichologist or homeopath will be happy to speak with you in person.

We provide advice and treatment for Alopecia Areata. If you would like further advice on Alopecia Areata or any other hair or scalp condition please contact our help line (right of page). Our on-call trichologist or homeopathy will be pleased to assist. If you would like to arrange an appointment please contact the helpline line (right of page)

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WIGS

When confronted with massive hair shedding the use of a wig may be necessary. We have a range of wigs available to purchase. These can be tried on at the surgery in a private area for your convenience.

We have a range of wigs to cater for most including all skin types.

Thank you for taking the time to read this portal and we hope that you have found this interesting.

The Team HT Healthcare