What causes patchy hair loss in men?
Are you noticing a significant amount of hair in your hairbrush or on your pillow? Well, losing hair is a normal part of the hair growth cycle. On average, we lose 50-100 hair strands daily. But if you experience sudden hair loss or patchy hair loss, you might be experiencing a hair loss condition.
Hair loss affects a lot of men at some point in their lives. The statistics on hair loss in men is stark; according to Harvard Health Publishing, up to 40 percent of men in their thirties experience patchy hair loss, and that number moves up to 50 percent by the age of 50.
While there can be different medical reasons for hair loss, such as scalp psoriasis, ringworm, etc.; patchy hair loss in men most commonly occurs due to a condition called alopecia areata.
What is alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the hair follicles, this results in unpredictable patchy hair loss. It generally appears on the scalp, but it can develop anywhere on the body. Alopecia areata occurs in both men and women, but the loss of hair is more significant in men.
While other types of hair loss generally develop with aging, you can get alopecia areata at any age. According to Harvard Health Publishing, about 60% of people with alopecia areata experience the first episode of hair loss before age 20.
Genetics can play a major role in the development of alopecia areata. It often occurs in people who have a family history of alopecia areata or other autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or type-1 diabetes.
Symptoms of alopecia areata
The main symptom of alopecia areata is hair loss. In this condition, hair usually falls out in small patches from the scalp. Hair loss can be sudden, developing in just a few days or over a few weeks. Alopecia areata might also occur on other parts of the face, like the beard, eyebrows, or eyelashes, as well as other parts of the body.
The location and amount of hair loss can vary between individuals. Some people lose hair only in small patches on the scalp. Others may have large bald patches that form when small patches connect. In alopecia areata, your hair may grow back, but it may also fall out again.
In some cases, alopecia areata can lead to severe conditions which are
- Complete hair loss on the scalp, known as alopecia totalis
- Loss of all hair on the entire body, known as alopecia Universalis
We suggest seeing a dermatologist or trichologist before the condition becomes severe or if you notice other symptoms with hair loss.
Alopecia areata related conditions
If you have alopecia areata, there are chances of also having one or more related conditions. The most common of these include
- Autoimmune conditions such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, and other forms of eczema
- Mental health consequences such as depression and anxiety
These kinds of related conditions are known as “comorbid conditions.” Comorbid simply means that one condition exists in the body along with another condition. A dermatologist or trichologist may help you find out if you are at a risk for any other condition that may be caused along with alopecia areata.
Also read: https://www.drbatras.com/hair-fall-treatment-at-dr-batras
Homeopathy treatment for alopecia areata
Homeopathy is a system of medicine that can do wonders in hair problems including alopecia areata, with a gentle and natural approach. Homeopathy alopecia areata treatment can help in preventing hair fall and provide nourishment to hair. Homeopathy treats the hair condition by addressing the root cause without causing any side effects.
Homeopathic medicines are prescribed after a complete diagnosis and case analysis. This includes the medical and family history of the patient; and the mental and physical constitution amongst other relevant factors. Once the causes are evaluated, suitable medicines are prescribed to the patient. These homeopathic medicines help to strengthen the roots of the hair and promote hair regrowth. The advantage of homeopathictreatment for patchy hair loss is that it is painless and suitable for people of all age groups.
As published in the journal The Complementary Therapies in Medicine, a research study was conducted to test the effectiveness of homeopathic medicine for alopecia. A group of 60 people who had chronic conditions including alopecia areata was given homeopathic treatment and was observed. The treatment resulted in 88.33% of them experiencing over 50% improvement in their disorder.
At Dr Batra’s®, we have successfully treated more than 1.4 lakh cases of hair conditions with a positive treatment outcome rate of 96.6% (authenticated by American Quality Assessors) over the past 35 years. Our homeopathic medicines are side-effect-free, non-habit forming, and provide long-lasting relief. Book an appointment with Dr Batra's® for an effective and natural hair loss treatment.
