Alopecia Areata Causes

Alopecia areata causes affects both sexes. its a medical condition, which results in patchy hair loss. This disorder typically affects the scalp but may affect other parts of the body as well.

Hair is an outgrowth of protein strands found on mammals. Only humans have the ability to grow their hair longer. Hair is believed by scientists to be an outward sign of health, which is desired requirement for selecting a mate. A lustrous head of hair played a part in Samson’s downfall and is often seen as a woman’s crowning glory.

The Latin word alopecia comes from a Greek source for fox, because loss of the hair is common among foxes. Genetic predisposition factors in to what causes alopecia areata. In the spring of 2009, Japanese researchers identified the gene that appears responsible for human hair loss. Others causes include hormone imbalance, disease, or malnutrition.

Research indicates that a virus, which triggers the sufferer’s immune system to attack healthy hair follicles and disrupt the hair growth cycle, may cause baldness. Alopecia areata is often associated with other autoimmune conditions such as thyroid disease, lupus, ulcerative colitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. This kind is not necessarily permanent.

Alopecia areata causes can affect older people but tends to occur more frequently with children and young adults. Losing hair is not contagious. Our hair has a normal growth pattern between periods of rest, hair loss, and re-growth. The hair on our head grows for about six years, and then around ten percent of the hair will be in a resting phase for several months before falling out and being replaced by new growth.

Humans shed generally a hundred hairs a day. Individuals with thin hair have a much lower replacement rate than the number of hair lost. Poor nutrition can cause temporary hair loss. Dieters who restrict iron and protein in their diets may face the consequences of alopecia areata.

Stress is an important factor considered responsible for alopecia areata. Hair loss may be brought on due to stressors experienced at a time of major illness. A side effect of chemotherapy in cancer patients is a known cause of hair loss. Hormonal imbalance may lead to prematurely losing hair. Individuals who have hyperactive or under active thyroid disease may experience hair loss. An imbalance in sex hormones, estrogens and androgens, is thought to be one of the major causes of hair loss.

Medicine prescribed for arthritis, high blood pressure, and gout, can cause fungal infections, which in turn is another cause of alopecia areata. Fungal infections, particularly those common in children, can lead to a child's scalp hair loss. Blood thinners, steroids, anticoagulants, excessive amount of vitamin A, antidepressants, and birth control pills are some of the medications that are typically suggested as causing hair loss.

Certain illness like diabetes causes hair loss in patients. In many instances, alopecia areata is considered an early warning sign of disease. If you are losing hair without any apparent cause, seek medical attention. There are plenty of effective treatments available for alopecia areata causes, which can help restore your shining head of hair in no time flat. We realize hair loss is a very emotional and embarrassing subject for both men and women but there are beneficial remedies without resorting to covering your head with hats and wigs!

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