ALOPECIA
In a normal scalp, 90% of the hair are
in anagen phase while 10% are either in catagen or telogen phase at any given
point of time. The normal human scalp has about 100,000. Normally 100 hair are
shed everyday.
What are the possible
causes of scarring alopecia ?
Scarring alopecia or cicatricial
alopecia can be due to a number of causes; to enlist a few :-
1.
Heriditary or developmental.
2.
Infection of the hair follicle (bacterial, fungal etc.).
3.
Trauma like that of burns, radiation, chemical injury or mechanical injury.
4.
Neoplastic (cancer) conditions such as squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell
carcinoma, lymphomas or secondary metastases.
5.
Due to inflamation of the underlying dermis in diseases like syphilis,
tuberculosis, herpes zoster, sarcoidosis, pyoderma gangrenosum, cicatrical
pemphigoid and morphea.
1.
Alopecia areata - Bald patches appear on the scalp, eyebrows, moustache or the
beard area. It is an autoimmune condition.
Male pattern or Androgenic alopecia - seen in those who are genetically predisposed.
Male pattern or Androgenic alopecia - seen in those who are genetically predisposed.
2.
Stress induced alopecia - due to:
emotional stress
starvation
crash diets
Malaria, Tuberculosis, Typhoid etc.
after surgery
in hepatic or renal failure
Iron and Zinc deficiency
3.
Post pregnancy.
4.
In patients with thyroid or pituitary disorder.
5.
Patients with collagen vascular disease.
6.
Drug induced - Patients on anti-cancer treatment, anti-thyroid drugs,
cholesterol lowering agents and patients on anticoagulant therapy suffer from
hair loss.
The hair sample must first be tested.
The cause if established should be treated.
If there is any bacterial or fungal infection, it must be treated.
Dandruff or lice if present, should be treated.
Vitamin and Zinc supplements are essential for arresting hair loss and help
hair regeneration.
Anemia if present needs prompt treatment with iron supplements.
What are the surgical methods to
treat alopecia ?
Patients
with male pattern alopecia can undergo hair transplantation. Hair
transplantation may be of three types:
- Punch grafting
- Single hair transplant.
- The latest is: Follicle Unit
Transplant.
The
donor for the transplant is the patient himself. Therefore he should have
adequate hair in the non-affected area from where the grafts can be taken.
Patients who are medically unfit for
surgery, those who do not have adequate donor area or those who have scarring
alopecia can go for non-surgical modalities of hair restoration. These may be
in form of wigs, hair weaving hair clipping, hair bonding, falls, switches or
demiwigs.
1.
Use a good shampoo once or twice a week. Choice of shampoo depends on the hair
type (normal, dry or oily).
2.
A diet rich in proteins, iron and zinc should be consumed.
3.
Drink 7 - 8 glasses of water everyday.
4.
Psychological stress and anxiety lead to hair loss, so keeping them at bay is
very important.
5.
Physical trauma to the hair shaft caused due to vigorous combing, excessive
shampooing, drying or brushing should be avoided.
6.
Beware of trendy styles such hair bleaching and dying, they might cause more
harm than good.
7.
Avoid hair perming or straightening.
8.
Use of rubber bands, buns and braids must be avoided.
For
more details & Consultation Feel free to contact us.
Vivekanantha Clinic Consultation Champers
at
Chennai:- 9786901830
Panruti:- 9443054168
Pondicherry:- 9865212055 (Camp)
For appointment please Call us or Mail Us
For appointment: SMS your Name -Age – Mobile Number - Problem in Single word -
date and day - Place of appointment (Eg: Rajini - 99xxxxxxx0 – Alopecia,
Alopecia Areata, mudi uthirthal – 21st Oct, Sunday - Chennai ), You will
receive Appointment details through SMS
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