Alopecia is also called as hair fall. During the normal process of hair cycling hair follicles is replaced at different rates. The growth is alternates between phases of activity and rest. The growth period called ‘Anagen phase’ for two to six years. Follicle is long and deep producing thick well pigmented hair. Anagen phase covers nearly 90% of scalp hair. Followed by brief transition phase known as ‘Catagen phase’ lasting for one to two weeks during this time base of follicle gets shrivelled.‘Telogen phase’ is restingphase of hair cycle they clubbed or bulbous tip and last for several months (three month) before falling /shedding out. In this phase, shrunken follicle retains hair fiber. Following Telogen phase, next comes Anagen phase; in which old hair falls out to make room for new hair to being growing in its place or same place.
Hair loss is usually caused or precipitated during or by stress, pregnancy, heredity, lack of protein, anemia, thyroid disorder and aging.
Androgenetic alopecia is a non-reversible genetically determined hair loss, that leads to the progressive miniaturization of the hair follicle. When all hair in the tuft gone – bald scalp start appearing between hairs.
Types of hair fall
- Male pattern baldness
- Female pattern baldness
- Alopecia areata
- Telogen effluvium
- Anagen effluvium
- Male pattern hair loss
Hair loss caused due to thinning is known as alopecia related to hormone (androgens) and genetically called has androgentic alopecia. It removes an area of scalp called as baldness. Male pattern hair loss pattern is characterized by hair loss on the top and front of head and marked receding hairline.
Cause of balding- Inherited condition caused by genetically sensitivity to the effects of Dihydrotestosterone/DHT in some areas of scalp.It affects or shortens the growth/anagen phase of hair cycle from three to six years to just week or month.The production of DHT is basically regulated by enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. DHT is found in several tissues in the body including skin and prostate gland.5-alpha reductase is an enzyme regulating production of DHT, the enzyme is protein in nature which acts as a catalyst which helps to enhance or speed up the chemical reaction.5-alpha reductase can be inhibited by synthetic drug.
Treatment for male pattern hair loss
- Hair transplantation (recently most popular )/replacement
- Cosmetics camouflages coloured hair spray’s to cover thinning areas of scalp.
- Hair wigs
- Hair pieces
- Micropigmentation (tattoo) to resemble shaven scalp look.
- Minoxidil solution
- Finasteride tablet (type II 5-alpha reductase inhibitors)
- Female pattern hair loss
It is most common at age of 50 year with early signs of hair loss is shown but by the age of 80 full head hair loss maybe visible. Mainly menopause is the time when body shows many changes and thinning of hair is one of the common symptoms. It is distinctive form of hair loss which is due to androgenetic alopecia.Diffused thinning of hair on the scalp increases hair shedding or marked reduction in hair volume.Normal hair loss on daily bases is approximately 50-100/day.
Hair loss is not merely a cosmetic issues, it is more of psychological distress one have to go through. One who is affected with it has low self-esteem, depression, feeling of unattractiveness and introversion. All thought it become harder to live in society that places great significant values to youthful appearance and attractive looks.
Diagnosis
Examination of scalp to see the pattern of hair loss. Blood test includes female and male sex hormone levels as well as thyroid function test. Females with increased level of androgens are more likely to suffer from symptoms like acne, excessive facial and body hair with irregular menses. These symptoms are characterized as PCOS polycystic ovarian syndrome. But majority of females doesn’t experience hair loss. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia may also be responsible for the same.
Treatment for female pattern hair loss
There is no absolute cure, but management with a aim to slow or stop the progression of hair loss.Minoxidil solution was effective (2% and 5%),but stronger preparation is more likely to irritation or unwanted hair growth on areas other than scalp. Hormonal treatment helps to block effects of androgen (for example- spironolactone, cyproterone, finasteride and flutamide). Cosmetics camouflages colored hair spray to cover thinning areas of scalp, hair wigs bulking fibre powder.Hair transplant is becoming most popular nowadays.
- Alopecia areata
It is an auto immune disorder,where hair fall out in small patches around the size of a quarter nothing more than few patches or more which can leads to complete loss hair of scalp called as Alopecia Totalis or in extreme cases entire body called as Alopecia Universalis. Treatment is corticosteroids.
- Telogen effluvium(temporary hair loss)
It is a resting phase. Thinning or shedding is caused when large amount of scalp hair are shifted in resting phase (telogen phase)of hair growth cycle. Factors contributing are stress anxiety poor diet post-pregnancy or menopause illness smoking. The good news is that telogen effluvium is reversible and hair normally grows to healthy state once cause is identified and removed.
- Anagen effluvium (first phase)
It is the first phase of growth cycle. Abnormal or rapid loss of hair caused due to drugs used in cancer treatment or exposure to chemical toxin. Growth is quickly after eliminating exposure to the cause.
Complications
Scarring alopecia is hair loss due to other conditions like connective tissue disorder like scleroderma resulting in hard, puffy and itchy skin, and psychological distress.
Homoeopathic Line of Treatment
Homeopathic medicines not only deals with the symptoms of hair loss, but they also treat the deficiencies which form the root cause of the issue, by creating a mechanism for the immune system to restore and heal itself. Homeopathy focuses on long-term solution without the undesirable side effects that can result from modern medicine.
- Phosphorus is a most popular medicine for treating alopecia. Hairfalls in bunches
- Silicea– Silicea for baldness accompanied with pain. Skin conditions like eczema, which may sometimes cause dandruff.
- Calcarea Carbonica has been found to be one of the best homeopathic medicines for hair regrowth. Complaints associated with intense itching and sweating of the scalp.
- Baryta Carbonica– This remedy is very good for young people suffering from premature baldness. Baryta personality is bit timid and people who are experiencing baldness along with throat complaints like tonsillitis.
- Lycopodium is a wonderful remedy for baldness and premature graying of the hair. This homeopathic medicine also deals with premature baldness.
- Natrum Muriaticum remedy is used for post-delivery hair fall. Hairs fall in women suffering from anemia.
- Pulsatilla is used specifically for women who are suffering from post-delivery hair loss. Thirstlessness is marked symptom of this remedy and desire for fresh air. Pulsatilla patient have difficulty in digesting rich fatty food. Patient is very shy with weeping tendency.
- Vinca Minor Alopecia when it is accompanied by dandruff. It is also used to treat abnormal hair growth (when the hair grows out like white wool)
- Fluoricum Acidum is an excellent remedy especially alopecia areata, where the hair loss is from spots on the scalp, resulting hair fall after a period of sickness, syphilis cause hair fall which gets tangled and causes easy breakage.
- Psorinum is the best treatment for hair loss due to dandruff. Dandruff is a most common result of skin disorders like psoriasis and eczema. Psorinum treats the root cause by reducing hair fall and dandruff at the same time.
- Mezereum Medicine which deals with skin disorders like rashes, psoriasis and lesions. Hair falls in people who have crusty scalps and infected scalps with pus its best remedy for the same.
- Kali Sulphuricum The dandruff is yellow in color. Patients suffers from dandruff and hair loss together.
