ALOPECIA CAUSES
The exact cause of Alopecia Areata still remains unknown although the history of Alopecia Areata brings us a long way back. This autoimmune disease has been discovered long before 1700. In fact this disease had been named Alopecia (which means) Areata (which means) in the 1760s.
Ever since the discovery of Alopecia Areata the causes had been a major focus among numerous researchers and scientists. In the beginning the causes of Alopecia Areata was believed to be parasitical in nature. The shape and physical nature of Alopecia Areata led the scientists at the time into narrowing down their search for causes into fungal or parasites. However this search was short lived as no particular parasite could be proven to be the cause of Alopecia Areata.
Next in the list of Alopecia Areata causes was nervous system disorder. This nature of cause relates a sudden stress or trauma that could cause a sudden hair loss. This condition can be observed in many instances especially when a person experiences a sudden shock. Following this the body automatically activates a corrective system.
In this new era of medical science, determining the causes of Alopecia Areata had taken a leap when it was categorized as an autoimmune disease. This major step towards identifying what causes Alopecia Areata came with the help of advanced medical technologies. Observation of human tissues under powerful microscopes had also enabled the scientists to produce images (such as those below) of follicles affected by Alopecia Areata.
Through a detailed understanding on the dynamics of human cells, our own immune system had been identified to be causing the hair loss. The hair loss in Alopecia Areata is caused by the immune system attacking its own follicles as such bringing the hair production to a halt. However this does not lead us to the main causes of Alopecia Areata. The reason behind our immune system attacking the follicle still remains a mystery.
This major step has provided us a method into confirming Alopecia Areata. This method is known as SKIN BIOPSY and so far has proven to be the most reliable method of diagnosing Alopecia Areata. This diagnostic (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED) method is carried out by a skin specialist or Dermatologist by obtaining a small sample of the skin and observing it under the microscope. It will show an unusual concentration of immune cells at the affected area.
There are still studies and researches being carried out to determine the causes of Alopecia Areata in various parts of the world. Another common observation made during this search for the causes of Alopecia Areata is the genetic and hereditary correlation. Many affected patients have reported close family members encountering Alopecia Areata. In some cases Alopecia Areata is also link to other autoimmune disorders scuh as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, ulcerative colitis and vitilligo
One very closely related disorder is believed to be Dental Caries which has been observed of being present in Alopecia Areata affected area as well. A common state that has been observed is mental stress. Most of the people affected by Alopecia Areata had been observed to be under abnormal stress. As such a strong correlation between Alopecia Areata causes has been derived.
DEMOGRAPHY OF PATIENTS
Findings show that approximately 2% of the population gets affected with Spot Baldness or Patch Baldness (Alopecia Areata). Chances of male or female getting affected are almost equal. Age too does not indicate any distinctive patterns. No specific geographical location or climatic factor has any influence. Anyone from any part of the world can develop Spot Baldness or Patch Baldness (Alopecia Areata).
EFFECTS
Although regarded as a disease with no serious effects, the severity of Spot Baldness or Patch Baldness (Alopecia Areata) are felt indirectly. As size of the spot varies in different individuals, some patients may not be able to cover the spot even with long hair. Furthermore there are chances of Spot Baldness or Patch Baldness (Alopecia Areata) advancing from one spot to multiple spot and sometimes even to the whole head or body. This unusual sight may bring about unwanted comments from people around them, resulting a tremendous psychological stress and social phobia. Although claimed unserious Spot Baldness or Patch Baldness (Alopecia Areata) could leave a deep scar mentally.
