Alopecia areata

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
1min 7sec home-news-image

What causes alopecia areata?

There are many causes of alopecia areata, the most common being various infections, such as bacterial and fungal infections. Psychological factors also play a significant role, such as excessive mental stress, frequent anxiety, depression, irritability, etc. Additionally, traumatic injuries can trigger alopecia areata. If there are underlying internal diseases, they can also cause alopecia areata. Hormonal imbalances, especially in women before and after pregnancy due to irregular secretion of estrogen and androgen, can lead to alopecia areata. Therefore, there are various reasons for alopecia areata. If you have patches of hair loss on your scalp, it is advisable to visit a reputable hospital for a check-up to determine the specific cause. Under a doctor's guidance, you might use hair regrowth medications such as compound scytonemin hair tonic or minoxidil solution for treatment. It is also important to avoid staying up late.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
1min 17sec home-news-image

What should I do if alopecia areata has expanded?

When there is an expansion of alopecia areata, local injections of corticosteroids can be used. The treatment with corticosteroids is a kind of occlusive therapy, primarily involving injecting corticosteroids into the area of hair loss. This can suppress inflammation and immune responses around the hair follicles, enabling hair growth and potentially preventing the expansion of alopecia areata. However, some individuals may experience localized skin atrophy after corticosteroid injections, and some may experience depigmentation. Therefore, when alopecia areata is expanding, it is advisable to seek timely treatment at a dermatology department in a reputable hospital. Under the guidance of a doctor, treatment can include topical application of minoxidil solution, or the use of compound preparations like compound styradan tonic for hair growth, as well as oral medications such as cysteine tablets, compound glycyrrhizin capsules, and treatment based on Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis and differentiation.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
55sec home-news-image

How long will it take for alopecia areata to fully recover once fuzz has started to grow?

Alopecia areata, once showing new fuzz, usually takes three to six months to return to normal. The appearance of fuzz indicates that the alopecia areata is in the recovery phase. In the early recovery stage, lighter-colored fuzz will grow in the area where hair was lost, and this fuzz will gradually turn into normal hair. During the active phase of alopecia areata, there will be noticeable hair loss, while in the dormant phase, the hair loss will stop. Three to four months after the dormant phase, most patients enter the recovery phase, reaching the stage where this small fuzz appears. Hence, the appearance of such fuzz signifies that the alopecia areata is nearing recovery, and new hair will grow during this phase. There are many causes of alopecia areata; it is important to avoid staying up late regularly.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
49sec home-news-image

Will eyebrows grow back if they fall out due to alopecia areata?

Alopecia areata commonly manifests as patchy hair loss from the scalp. If the condition causes eyebrow loss, it is considered more severe and requires professional treatment at a dermatology department in an accredited hospital. It can be completely cured eventually, but the treatment period may be lengthy. It's important to enhance your immune system through regular exercise, avoid spicy and irritating foods, and prevent staying up late, anxiety, or stress. A diverse diet rich in vegetables and fruits is recommended, along with appropriate medications, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine or Western medicine. Treatments like plum blossom needle tapping or local medicinal injections may also be used. Overall, this condition requires a comprehensive long-term treatment approach.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
1min 7sec home-news-image

How long does the hair loss phase of alopecia areata usually last?

The shedding phase of alopecia areata generally lasts about three months. Alopecia areata refers to the sudden occurrence of patchy hair loss on the top of the head, usually caused by excessive mental stress, fatigue, and disorders of the immune system. Alopecia areata typically arises when various factors cause the hair follicles on the scalp to shift from the growth phase to the resting phase, resulting in the hair no longer growing and subsequently falling out extensively. The occurrence of alopecia areata is also somewhat related to genetics. If dieting leads to malnutrition, alopecia areata may also occur. The clinical manifestation of alopecia areata is the appearance of round or oval patches of hair loss on the top of the head. Some occur individually, while others may appear in multiples, varying in size and without any subjective symptoms. If alopecia areata occurs, it is advisable to seek diagnosis and treatment in the dermatology department of a standard hospital.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
1min 9sec home-news-image

What causes alopecia areata on the head?

Spots of baldness on the head can be associated with many reasons, usually due to excessive mental stress. Being in a state of tension and anxiety for a long period can easily lead to the occurrence of bald spots. Bald spots also have a certain relationship with genetic factors, generally related to family genetics. Frequent perming, hair dyeing, and other actions that damage hair quality can also lead to bald spots. Additionally, some endocrine disorders, immune factors, and infections such as fungi and bacteria, such as tinea capitis or folliculitis, can also cause bald spots. Therefore, if bald spots occur, it is recommended to promptly visit a dermatology department at a formal hospital for diagnosis and treatment. After the doctor identifies the specific cause, an appropriate treatment plan can be implemented, which may include oral cysteine tablets or choosing compound glycyrrhizin capsules and traditional Chinese medicine treatments.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
1min 9sec home-news-image

What is the cause of itchy scalp with alopecia areata?

The occurrence of itchy alopecia areata scalp is primarily related to the use of certain medications. Frequent use of drugs to treat alopecia areata can lead to allergic reactions, which may also cause scalp itching. Additionally, in the early stages of alopecia areata recovery, hair growth requires a significant supply of nutrients, and rapid local blood circulation can also lead to localized scalp itching. The itchy scalp associated with alopecia areata can also be related to irregular lifestyle, long-term mental tension, frequent staying up late, and deficiencies in vitamins and trace elements, which can lead to endocrine disorders. The itching associated with alopecia areata might also result from not maintaining cleanliness and hygiene of the scalp, using shampoos or conditioners with strong irritants, frequent exposure to excessive ultraviolet rays, and using excessively hot water when washing hair.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
45sec home-news-image

What are the causes of alopecia areata?

The causes of alopecia areata are numerous, and the contributing factors may vary from person to person. Decreased immunity, frequent staying up late, anxiety, tension, poor mood, or long-term drinking and smoking, consuming spicy or strongly flavored foods, and lack of vitamins and trace elements, as well as local injuries, or frequent occurrences of folliculitis, abscesses, and cysts are all primary factors. Only a small number of cases may be related to genetics. Once diagnosed, it is essential to seek treatment from reputable medical institutions. Follicular tests can also be conducted to check for atrophy or necrosis. Generally, with persistent treatment, it is entirely curable.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
43sec home-news-image

Does alopecia areata inherit?

Alopecia areata is not hereditary; it is mostly caused by personal factors, such as irregular and unbalanced diets, or consuming spicy and overly salty foods. Additionally, frequent anxiety, tension, and bad moods can also lead to the condition. Generally, by regulating one's diet and lifestyle habits, milder cases can improve without medication. However, if the symptoms of alopecia areata worsen and the area of hair loss expands, formal medication is needed. With long-term persistence, complete recovery is possible. During treatment, it is important to regulate diet and lifestyle habits, strengthen exercise, and enhance immunity, all of which aid in treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
1min 32sec home-news-image

Which vitamins should be supplemented for alopecia areata?

Alopecia areata is a type of sudden, localized, patchy hair loss, the cause of which is not entirely clear and is not simply related to vitamin deficiency. It is currently believed to be related to genetics, emotional stress, over-tension, extreme joy or sorrow, as well as endocrine disorders, autoimmunity, and may fall within the category of polygenic diseases. In treatment, it is generally important to eliminate possible triggering factors, ensure a balance between work and rest, and avoid staying up late, with a recommended bedtime at 11 o'clock. Topical treatments can include the use of minoxidil, or a local injection of steroids, while systemic treatments can be supported by taking cysteine, calcium pantothenate, vitamin B, etc., which aid in hair growth. For rapid and widespread hair loss, including total baldness and universal baldness, oral steroid therapy can be used, but it is important to be aware of the potential systemic side effects associated with long-term use of steroids. Traditional Chinese medicine treatments such as nourishing blood and hair growth capsules, Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan, and Biotin Peptide Tablets may also be tried for alopecia areata.