Alopecia is a medical term that describes excessive hair loss from the head or body. This hair loss can be a result of numerous causes. Doctors diagnose alopecia into nine subtypes based on the various factors that include causes, characteristics of hair loss, age and health of the individual. There are both known natural and unnatural causes that lead to hair loss. Alopecia also occurs due to unknown causes.
Natural Causes of Alopecia
Age, genetics and disease are the three main factors that lead to alopecia naturally. It’s natural for both men and women to experience thinning of hairline as they grow older. This is a natural occurrence that is caused by the slowing down and breaking down of the body systems. It’s quite natural for older hair follicles to produce less hair at a slower pace. Genetics is another factor that causes hair loss naturally. This is more predominant in men and is known as androgenetic alopecia, which is hereditary, causing hair loss either at the crown or the front of the scalp.
Women also are subject to this type of alopecia. The genetics passed on from their older generations is the main cause. Diseases and other medical conditions are also a root cause for alopecia. This type of hair loss occurs due to the side effects of medications, thyroid disorders, skin conditions and nutritional deficiencies. Alopecia when medically induced can be temporary. However if the illness is prolonged then it can become permanent.
Unnatural Causes of Alopecia
Unnatural causes of hair loss result from excessive use of hair treatments, drug abuse and treatments, and exposure to radiation and chemicals. Drugs used to treat high blood pressure, menopause, prevention of pregnancy, and cancer will cause hair loss. Anagen effluvium is the name of this type of alopecia and it’s temporary. Hair growth occurs once treatment is stopped. Coloring of hair, perming, straightening, and bleaching of hair will also lead to hair loss. Chemicals used in these hair treatments are harsh and strong resulting in hair follicle damage. This form of alopecia is temporary and can be reversed if hair treatments are stopped. Chemicals used in cleaning of swimming pools can lead to alopecia. It’s advisable to wear a cap while swimming.
Alopecia Due To Unknown Causes
Alopecia areta and alopecia univesalis are the two types with no known causes for their occurrence. While the former affects both children and young adults the latter leaves the sufferer devoid of hair on the scalp and body.
Diagnosis Tests for Alopecia
Tests for alopecia include various tests like the pull test, pluck test, scalp biopsy, daily hair counts, and trichoscopy. In the Pull test, around 40 to 60 hairs are subjected to general traction from three different parts o f the scalp. A microscope is used to count the number of hairs extracted. With each pull less than three hairs should come off and the pull test is considered positive if less than ten hairs are removed. In the pluck tests, individual hairs are removed by the roots and examined under the microscope to check for growth and diseases.
The scalp test is conducted when alopecia is detected and the diagnosis is uncertain. Hair samples are removed from affected areas for tests and diagnosis. Daily hair count is taken up when the pull test is in the negative. Here a count is made on the number of hairs lost. Hairs that fall off while combing or washing in the morning are collected in a plastic bag for a period of fourteen days and the strands counted. The Trichoscopy test includes the use of a derma scope or video derma scope to diagnose hair loss and is a non invasive technique.
