Winter Skin Conditions of Psoriasis and Ichthyosis

HAIR LOSS DISEASE

Hair loss, also known as alopecia or baldness, refers to a loss of hair from part of the head or body. One of the most prevalent hair loss diseases is alopecia areata. It is more a condition of skin that can lead to hair loss. It is caused by a condition in which the hair follicles are invaded by the white blood cells of the body to destroy them. The hair follicles are mistaken to be germs that cause disease.

Overview:

Hair loss can affect just your scalp or your entire body. It can be the result of heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or medications. Anyone can experience hair loss, but it's more common in men.

Baldness typically refers to excessive hair loss from your scalp. Hereditary hair loss with age is the most common cause of baldness. Some people prefer to let their hair loss run its course untreated and unhidden. Others may cover it up with hairstyles, makeup, hats or scarves. And still others choose one of the treatments available to prevent further hair loss and to restore growth.

Before pursuing hair loss treatment, talk with your doctor about the cause of your hair loss and treatment options.

Hair loss can appear in many different ways, depending on what's causing it. It can come on suddenly or gradually and affect just your scalp or your whole body. Some types of hair loss are temporary, and others are permanent.

Hair loss Causes -

You may lose hair if you use chemicals such as hair dyes, hair strengtheners and perms or if you pull your hair into tight styles such as cornrows, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. What you eat or don’t eat may also be playing a role; teens that don’t take in enough nutrients to sustain their lifestyle – such as vegetarians who don’t eat enough protein or athletes who don’t get enough iron in their bodies – may begin to lose hair, says the Nemours Foundation. Thyroid disease, anemia, protein deficiency, chemotherapy, and low vitamin levels may cause hair loss. Alopecia areata is a form of hair loss produced by the autoimmune destruction of hair follicles in localized areas of skin.

Dramatic weight loss:

Sudden weight loss is a form of physical trauma that can result in thinning hair. This could happen even if the weight loss is ultimately good for you. It’s possible that the weight loss itself is stressing your body or that not eating right can result in vitamin or mineral deficiencies. Loss of hair along with noticeable weight loss may also be a sign of an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia.

Over styling

Vigorous styling and hair treatments over the years can cause your hair to fall out. Examples of extreme styling include tight braids, hair weaves or corn rows as well as chemical relaxers to straighten your hair, hot-oil treatments or any kind of harsh chemical or high heat. Because these practices can actually affect the hair root, your hair might not grow back.

There are many types of hair loss, also called alopecia:

Evolutional alopecia - is a natural condition in which the hair gradually thins with age. More hair follicles go into the resting phase, and the remaining hairs become shorter and fewer in numbers.

Androgenic alopecia -is a genetic condition that can affect both men and women. Men with this condition, called male pattern baldness, can begin suffering hair loss as early as their teens or early 20s. It's characterized by a receding hairline and gradual disappearance of hair from the crown and frontal scalp. Women with this condition, called female pattern baldness, don't experience noticeable thinning until their 40s or later. Women experience a general thinning over the entire scalp, with the most extensive hair loss at the crown.

Alopecia areata - often starts suddenly and causes patchy hair loss in children and young adults. This condition may result in complete baldness (alopecia total is). But in about 90% of people with the condition, the hair returns within a few years.

Alopecia universalis - causes all body hair to fall out, including the eyebrows, eyelashes, and pubic hair.

Trichotillomania - seen most frequently in children, is a psychological disorder in which a person pulls out one's own hair.

Telogen effluvium - is temporary hair thinning over the scalp that occurs because of changes in the growth cycle of hair. A large number of hairs enter the resting phase at the same time, causing hair shedding and subsequent thinning.

Scarring alopecia’s - result in permanent loss of hair. Inflammatory skin conditions  (cellulitis, folliculitis, acne), and other skin disorders (such as some forms of lupus and lichen planus) often result in scars that destroy the ability of the hair to regenerate. Hot combs and hair too tightly woven and pulled can also result in permanent hair loss.

How to stop Hair loss naturally?

Reduce stress- Sometimes, the root cause for hair loss is stress.

·         Practice meditation. Meditation can help to both reduce stress and restore your hormonal balance. Practicing meditation can also help you in other aspects of your life.

·         Get some exercise. Walk, swim, or bike for 30 to 60 minutes per day. Or, try playing a sport like tennis, so you can take out your aggression by hitting a ball. The exercise will help to lower your stress levels.

·         Talk or write it out. Talk to your , a friend, a family member, or to a therapist about what you are experiencing. Take the time to record your feelings in a journal.

Stop smoking cigarettes -Smoking negatively impacts your health in many ways, including increasing your risk of heart disease and respiratory illness. In addition to these and others, smoking can accelerate hair loss and also the graying process of your hair because the toxins in the cigarettes can cause hair follicles to become damaged. Consider trying to quit or at least cutting back in order to minimize hair loss.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of hair loss may include:

• ·        Hair falling out in clumps or patches.
• ·        Thinning of hair.
• ·        Hair becoming brittle and breaking easily.

     The hair fall has become a major problem these days whether it is for women 

or that of men. With the change of season, the hair fall will effectively prop up.