What is Alopecia Areata?
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder characterized by sudden, round patches of hair loss on the scalp, beard, and other body areas. It is non-contagious and can be triggered by factors such as stress and viral infections, with treatment options including steroid injections, Minoxidil spray, PRP sessions, and biologic oral medications for severe cases.
Am I a Good Candidate?
You are a good candidate for treatment if you have:
- Undergone a thorough medical evaluation confirming that your health condition aligns with the treatment requirements.
- Have realistic expectations about the outcomes and benefits of the treatment.
- Have discussed and are comfortable with the potential risks and side effects associated with the treatment.
- Are committed to adhering to pre-treatment preparations and post-treatment care instructions.
- Have explored alternative options and concluded that this treatment best meets your needs and preferences.
Benefits:
- Many treatments offer significant health benefits, such as improved physical function, pain relief, or better management of chronic conditions.
- Cosmetic procedures can improve appearance, boost self-esteem, and provide a more youthful or refined look.
- Achieving desired results from a treatment or procedure can lead to greater self-confidence and a positive self-image.
- Some services provide convenience, such as shorter recovery times, minimal downtime, or at-home options.
More Details:
Alopecia areata is a common auto-immune cause of round patches of hair loss. Alopecia areata is non-contagious, but may be triggered by stress, viral infections, and other factors.
Alopecia areata patches can affect the scalp, the beard and the body. While many patients develop single areas of hair loss, others may get numerous ones or even complete baldness. In extreme cases, it may lead to hair loss of the eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair. Although in most cases alopecia areata develops gradually over months from a small area that expands, some suffer a more sudden onset where they lose most of their hair acutely. This is especially common after a stressful event and may be quite alarming. Interestingly, white hairs are usually the most resistant to falling. Some patients with diffuse acute hair loss wake up to find sudden graying of their hair.
The chronic, recurrent nature of this disease makes it distressing to many affected people. Spontaneous recovery may sometimes occur. At SEP, we use steroid injections which are usually sufficient to obtain re-growth. Minoxidil spray can be combined with this for better results. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) sessions are often very effective. Biologic oral treatments are used for severe cases.