subject: Genetic Hair Loss and Androgentic Alopecia [print this page] Hair is a physical expression of personality and social role and for many, it is essential for the attraction and feelings of self-esteem. Alopecia (baldness or hair loss) has negative characteristics and can lead to low self-esteem in affected individuals.
What is alopecia?
Alopecia baldness or hair loss also known as refers to the loss or lack of hair on one part or the entire scalp and in some cases, other parts of the body. Hair loss may be temporary or permanent and can affect people of all ages. Although alopecia can occur anywhere on the body, is most poignant when it affects the scalp. It can range from a small bald patch, which is easily masked by hairstyling to a more diffuse and obvious pattern.
Causes of alopecia include:
Genetics
Prolonged fever
Hormonal changes, such as birth, use of birth control pills or thyroid disease
Cancer treatment
Continual hair pulling or scalp rubbing
Burns or radiation therapy
Emotional or physical stress
Ringworm of the scalp
Some prescription drugs
Forms of alopecia, different types of alopecia associated with loss of hair on the scalp include:
Genetic hair loss or androgenetic alopecia:
Androgenetic alopecia, otherwise known as male pattern hair loss is a big problem for men is such that the ages of 50-50 % of men who are genetically predisposed to be affected. It is characterized by a gradual pattern of hair loss and scalp conditions have a genetic predisposition and sufficient circulating androgens, steroid hormones such as testosterone or androsterone that promotes male characteristics. Hair loss usually begins after puberty, not with a very variable rate of progression.
The situation is also fairly common in women and is intended as female pattern hair loss. in women. It is characterized by a diffuse reduction in hair density on the crown and frontal scalp with retention of the frontal hairline.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia Areata is a common immune - mediated, no scarring form of hair loss, which occurs in all ethnic groups, age more common in children and young adults, and both sexes, and affects approximately 2 % of the population. Alopecia Areata is unpredictable and patients usually present with several episodes of hair loss and re-growth during their lives.
Telogen effluvium
Telogen effluvium is a departure from bicycle, causing excessive loss of telogen hair and is most common in women. Women with this disorder often notice an increased amount of loose hairs on their hairbrush or shower floor. Daily loss of hair can vary from 100-300 hairs. May is thought to expose previously not androgenetic alopecia. The most common cause is stress, other causes of certain diseases, such as the thyroid and pituitary diseases, some drugs and child birth.
Scarring alopecia
Scarring alopecia, refers to a group of her rare disease due to the condition that the damage of the scalp and hair follicle. They are present as areas of hair loss in the underlying scalp are damage, scleroses, or atrophic. In other words, destroying the hair follicle disorders, and the replacement of the follicles of scar tissue thus causing permanent hair loss. conditions associated with alopecia also autoimmune diseases such as discoid lupus erythematosus, scalp trauma, infections such as tuberculosis and syphilis, and radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy related alopecia
Alopecia caused by chemotherapy can range from mild thinning of the hair to complete baldness. The volume of alopecia depends on the choice of drug and dose.
Traumatic alopecia
This is usually a common cause of hair loss in women of certain ethnic backgrounds. It is caused due to her grooming techniques through the use of its products such reform relaxers, straighteners, hot combs, foam rollers and permanent wave products, and hair braiding methods. These techniques damage the hair follicles over time.
