Patchy hair loss, what is alopecia and what causes it?

Hair is the crown of our personality. As we’ve seen, changing hairstyles can help shape our look, so whenhair lossa lot, or I’m starting to thin So people tend to worry quite a lot. But what’s more than that is if you are suffering from patchy hair loss. The more the hair disappears in clumps. dented Or if it’s serious, it may cause hair loss all over the head. Which today we will come to know that the disease is caused by patchy hair loss. how are the symptoms Who is the risk group? along with treatment methods that have any approaches that can help

patchy hair loss Alopecia areata or English called Alopecia areata is a disease that causes patients to have patches of hair loss, which may fall only at some points on the head or many points, or may have hair loss in other areas such as eyebrows, mustaches, sideburns, arms, legs. Armpit hair, diamond hair can be joined together, which will cause embarrassment for this disease. causing the patient to lose confidence and affect life including to social

In this regard, this disease can be divided according to the location of birth, for example:

– Alopecia areata (AA) is having hair loss patches on the head or there may be hair loss patches on the eyebrows Hair mustaches on the face or body.
– Alopecia totalis (AT) is the loss of the whole head and may include eyebrows, eyelashes
– Alopecia universalis (AU) is the case that the hair on the head and the hair on the body fell almost all over the body

For the question of what causes patchy hair loss? Scientifically, the cause of this disease is still unknown. But it is believed to be caused by a malfunction of the immune system. cause autoimmune disease Is the body’s immune system to destroy itself (Autoimmune disease) with loss of immune system control (Immune privilege) and may also be caused by heredity or other provoking factors such as stress, insufficient rest Side effects from using certain medications virus infection, etc.

At the same time, physical and mental illness It also affects the production of white blood cells and neurotransmitters around the hair glands. causing hair loss or hair loss on the body Studies have shown that alopecia areata is associated with atopic diseases, metabolic syndrome, Helicobacter pylori infection, SLE, anemia from iron deficiency, thyroid disease, psychiatric disorder, vitamin D deficiency, ear disorder and diseases with eye disorders as well

In addition, there are some people with patchy hair loss after vaccination against COVID-19.

Dr. Chinmanat Lekwat, public relations director of the Dermatological Association of Thailand, revealed that the disease can be found in both females and males. in every age The frequency found is about 0.2% of the total population.

Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital provides information that the average age of patients with this disease is about 30 years and 20% of patients tend to have a family history of this disease as well. Patch should therefore keep an eye on the symptoms themselves as well. because of increased risk

The first symptoms of alopecia areata You may notice patchy hair loss. Or fall into a cluster about the size of a 10 baht coin or may spread into a large circle If the symptoms are not severe, there may be only 1-2 patches of hair loss and it is only a short period of about 1-2 months, the hair can grow again.

but in severe cases May find patchy hair loss without growing again Or hair loss in many patches, spreading gradually until the whole head falls. Some people may also develop small holes on the surface of the nail plate. Or if the symptoms are very severe, there may be hair loss in the head. Including body hair such as eyebrows, mustache, arm hair, armpit hair, leg hair, diamond hair, all are gone. and never grow up again.

Anyone who has symptoms like this, do not be complacent. and it would be better to rush into the treatment process

Currently, the treatment of patchy hair loss has the following main approaches:

Drugs in this group will cause an allergic reaction. to stimulate the immune system to produce new white blood cells to replace the malfunctioning ones and make me grow normally

However, the treatment will depend on the patient’s physician. and the symptoms of each patient that should be used which method is most appropriate Also, your response to treatment depends on your body. how long it is and the severity of the disease in each individual Therefore, some people may not need treatment and will heal on their own. Or some people may heal soon and disappear. But for some people, it can take years for the abnormal immune system to function properly.