Localized Hair Loss
December 24, 2008
There may be numerous reasons for hair loss in a woman. Localized hair loss is condition where the alopecia is not diffuse but rather localized and patchy. Alopecia is a condition where the hair is plucked out of the skin, and clear, bald or diffuse patches are seen. In case of localized hair loss alopecia is not diffused.
Localized hair loss in divided into two parts viz, scaring and non-scarring types.
An auto immune disease that signifies non-scarring type of localized hair loss is Alopecia Areata (AA), and is genetic in nature. AA is the second most common cause behind the hair loss in women. It is normally believed that 2 out of every 100 female are prone to affected by AA. This disease of Alopecia Areata not only affects women, but men and children too.
AA occurs as sudden round patches of hair anywhere on the scalp. In this case the hair follicle is not destroyed and the hair can grow again after the inflammation at the root of the hair follicles subsides. The condition of “alopecia totalis” occurs in case the hair loss spreads over the entire scalp. In some cases, AA spreads throughout the entire body, and affects the scalp, eyebrows, lashes, beard, pubic hair, and everything else. Such a condition is called “alopecia universalis”.
The best treatment for AA is the topical corticosteroids or a combination therapy using minoxidil and anthralin. However, the person’s age and the extent of the disease also determine the choice of the treatment.
Various medical or dermatologic conditions such as lupus and lichen planus, or local radiation therapy are the major reasons behind the occurrence of scarring alopecia. The other reasons for scarring alopecia include baldness due to injuries, or from local medical problems that have been cured. In case of scarring alopecia, hair loss occurs in small patches small patches, and may grow with time.
It may also be sometimes possible that the hair loss is gradual, which shows no symptoms, and may be unnoticed for a long time. On the other hand, it may be rapidly progressing in some cases. The treatment for such a hair loss is aggressive as scarring alopecia may lead to permanent hair loss. The general treatment for scarring alopecia includes corticosteroids applied as topical creams. They may also be injected into the affected skin. In some cases antimalarial and isotretinoin drugs may also be used.
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