The most prevalent type of Alopecia (Alopecia Areata) causes partial hair loss on the scalp or body. It affects 1.7% of the population, most commonly between the ages of 15-29. Losing your hair isn’t permanent because the follicle is still healthy enough to reproduce hair. Over time the hair may return naturally, or in response to treatment. It isn't a sign of poor health and is due to various factors: the aging process, hormonal changes in the body (mild alopecia is common post-pregnancy), stressful events or illness.
Types of Alopecia
Alopecia is graded according to its severity. Many people experience a mild form of the condition, with some hair loss, which they can live with.
- Alopecia Areata (AA) - partial areas of hair loss on the scalp.
- Alopecia Totalis (AT) - total hair loss on the scalp.
- Alopecia Universalis (AU) - total loss of body hair.
- Androgenic Alopecia (male pattern baldness/thinning of the hair, which can affect women).
The Growth Cycle of Hair
Hair grows in different phases: -
- Anagen – the growing stage (87% of the hair is in this stage at any time and this can last from 3-10 years)
- Catogen – the transitional phase (affects 8% of the hair)
- Telogen – the resting phase (affects 5% of the hair, which is continually being shed).
Hair grows at different rates depending on its location. The difference between alopecia and normal hair loss is that alopecia can happen suddenly and there may be no obvious trigger.
Symptoms of Alopecia
The main symptoms of AA are patches of hair loss on the scalp and itchiness before this happens. There may also be short, broken hairs (known as Exclamation hairs) close to these patches, which show hair weakness. Your nails may also become weak and brittle.
Causes of Alopecia
The exact cause isn’t known but it has been linked to different factors such as stress or trauma. Around 25% of people with it have a family history and it is more prevalent in people who have eczema, asthma and allergies, or thyroid imbalance, according to the charity Alopecia UK. Alopecia is an auto-immune condition, which means the body wrongly starts to attack itself, rejecting the hair growth as a foreign invader.
Temporary hair loss post-pregnancy is common, due to the shift in hormonal levels and this should correct itself over time. If it doesn’t speak to your GP about other possible causes such as thyroid imbalance.
Treatments For Hair Loss and Regrowth
There are various medical treatments depending on the severity of the condition. These can help to kick start the growing process but may not resolve the problem. In the first instance you need to see your GP for blood tests to diagnose it and rule out any other health conditions such as diabetes or thyroid imbalance. You can ask to be referred to a dermatologist (skin and hair specialist) who will be able to suggest the best treatment method for your type of hair loss.
Steroid creams and lotions can be applied to the affected areas to stimulate regrowth. However, this may not be permanent and you may lose hair again once you stop taking them. Steroid tablets are a more concentrated treatment and used in more extreme cases of hair loss.
Minoxidil is available from the chemist, without prescription and has had some success in helping treat hair loss.
Celebrities with alopecia have dealt with it in different ways – some choosing to wear wigs or hair pieces, and others proudly displaying their scalp in all its glory. Gail Porter, Princess Caroline of Monaco, Matt Lucas and Patrick Stewart have all suffered from it – to varying degrees.
Resources
British Association of Restorative Surgeons
This article is for general information purposes only. Consult your health practitioner for specific guidance on a health issue.
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