Posts Tagged ‘alopecia’

What are the Different Kinds of Alopecia

Alopecia is a disease in which the body`s autoimmune system attacks the new cells forming in the hair follicles by mistake. Its main characteristic is hair loss that can be sudden and random, as well as recurrent in some cases. Alopecia can affect both men and women. There are several different kinds of alopecia, the affects of which depend on where the disease occurs in the body, and what has caused it.

The different kinds of alopecia are as follows:

1. Alopecia Areata. Alopecia areata is a kind of alopecia that refers to hair loss that occurs in rounded patches. These patches can appear anywhere on the body.

2. Alopecia Totalis. Alopecia totalis refers to the loss of hair on the scalp. As the name suggests, alopecia totalis is total baldness.

3. Alopecia Universalis. Alopecia universalis is a kind of alopecia where the affected person loses all the hair on his or her body.

4. Alopecia Barbae. Alopecia barbae happens only with men. It is the loss of hair on the beard area.

5. Alopecia Mucinosa. Alopecia mucinosa happens when the hair loss is accompanied by the appearance of scaly patches on the skin.

6. Anagen Effluvium. Anagen effluvium is hair loss that is commonly associated with chemotherapy and with taking certain kinds of medication. In anagen effluvium, the hair falls off in patches, although it grows back as soon as the chemotherapy or the consumption of certain drugs is stopped.

7. Telogen Effluvium. Telogen effluvium is also called temporary hair loss. It happens when the amount of hair being shed is more than normal and the hair visibly thins.

8. Androgenetic Alopecia. Androgenetic alopecia is the type of alopecia that is considered hereditary. It is also known as male pattern baldness, although it can also affect women. In androgenetic alopecia, the hair on the scalp turns nearly transparent before falling off.

9. Scarring Alopecia. Scarring alopecia happens when the hair shedding leaves the skin scarred.

10 Traction Alopecia. When a person is prone to pulling too much at his or her hair due to styling perhaps or personal habits, the excessive pulling can discourage the hair follicles to stop developing new cells for new hair. The shedding that occurs as a result is called traction alopecia.

There are many different causes for each type of alopecia,Your doctor,once able to isolate the cause will offer you a course of treatment.Early detection of Alopecia is paramount so visit your doctor at the earliest opportunity.
Article by Jayjeff www.gogethealthynow.com

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