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Healthy hair follicle
Factoid:
Physical stress - surgery, major illness, rapid weight change can cause loss of hair.
Healthy hair follicle
What Is alopecia areata? pattern baldness is considered an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system, which is designed to protect the body from foreign invaders such as viruses and bacteria, mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, the tiny cup-shaped stopped from which hairs grow, healthy hair follicle. This can lead to hair loss on the scalp and other sites on the body. In most situations, hair falls out in small, round patches about two centimeters square. In many cases, the condition does not cover more than a couple of patches. In some folks, baldness is more extensive. Although uncommon, healthy hair follicle, the ailment can go on to to instigates total loss of hair on the head (referred to as alopecia totalis) or complete loss of hair on the head, face, and body (alopecia universalis). What Causes It? In male or female pattern baldness, immune system cells known as white blood cells assault the rapidly growing cells in the hair follicles that make the hair. The problem hair follicles become tiny and drastically inhibit hair production. Fortunately, the stem cells that continually supply the follicle with new cells do not seem to be targeted. Therefore the follicle always has the potential to regrow hair - healthy hair follicle. Scientists do not know exactly why the hair follicles undergo these changes, healthy hair follicle but they have a suspician that a combination of genes may predispose some people to the disease. In those who are genetically predisposed, some type of trigger - perhaps a virus or something in the person's environment - brings on the attack against the hair follicles. Who Is Most Likely To Get It? alopecia areata affects an estimated 4,000,000 American citizens of both sexes and of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. It often starts in childhood healthy hair follicle. If you are unfortunate enough to have a close family member with the affliction, your risk of developing it is slightly increased. If your relative lost his or her initial patch of hair before age thirty, the risk to other relations is greater. Generally speaking, one in five individuals that are affected by the affliction have a relative who has it as well. Is My male or female pattern baldness a Symptom of a Serious Disease? pattern baldness is not a life-threatening disease and neither is healthy hair follicle. It does not cause any physical pain, and persons with the condition are generally in good health otherwise. For most individuals however, a condition that unpredictably seriously affects their appearance the way pattern baldness does is a serious matter. The effects of alopecia areata are primarily socially and emotionally disturbing. In alopecia universalis, however, loss of eyelashes and eyebrows and hair in the nose and ears can make the person more susceptible to dust, germs, and foreign particles entering the nose, eyes, and ears. male or female pattern baldness often occurs in citizens whose family members have other autoimmune ailments, such as pernicious anemia, thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Addison's disease, diabetes or systemic lupus erythematosus or even healthy hair follicle. People who have male or female pattern baldness do not customarily have other autoimmune diseases, but they do tend to have a higher occurrence of atopic eczema, thyroid disease, nasal allergies and asthma, healthy hair follicle. Can I Pass It on to My Children? It is possible, but not likely, for alopecia areata to be inherited. Most children with pattern baldness do not have a dad or mom with the affliction, and the vast majority of parents with alopecia areata do not pass it along to their children. pattern baldness is not like some genetic ailments in which a child has a 50 50 chance of developing the disease if one parent has it. Researchers into hair disease believe that there may be a number of genes that predispose certain people to the condition. It is highly unlikely that a child would inherit all of the genes appropriate to predispose him or her to the condition. Even with the right (or wrong) combination of genes, male or female pattern baldness is not a certainty. In identical twins, who share all of the same genes, the concordance rate is only fifty five percent. In other words, if one twin has the ailment, there is only a 55 percent chance that the other twin will have it also. This shows that other considerations besides genetics are neccessary to trigger the disease. To learn more with regard to the genes and other factors involved in male or female pattern baldness risk, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is funding an pattern baldness registry healthy hair follicle. The registry is a well planned network of five centers throughout the United States of America that will identify and register patients that are afflicted with the affliction and collect data and blood samples (which contain genes). Data, including genetic information, will be made available to scientists investigating the genetic basis and other aspects of disease and disease risk. (For more information with reference to the registry, see "How Can I Take Part In Research?") Will My Hair Ever Grow Back? The chances that your hair will regrow are excellent, but it may also fall out again however. Unfortunately however, it is impossible to predict whether it may fall out or regrow. The course of the affliction varies from person to person. Some persons lose just a few patches of hair, healthy hair follicle then the hair grows back and the disease never recurs. Other individuals continue to lose and regrow hair for many years. A few individuals lose all the hair on their head; others lose all the hair on their head, face and body. Even in those who lose all their hair, the possibility for full re-growth remains. In some, the initial hair regrowth is white, with a gradual return of the original hair color. In most, the re-grown hair is ultimately the same color and texture as the original hair. What Can I Expect Next? The course of alopecia areata is highly unpredictable, and the uncertainty of what will happen next is probably the most difficult and frustrating symptom of the disease. You may continue to lose hair, or your loss of hair may stop, healthy hair follicle. Your lost hair may or may not grow back and you may or may not continue to develop new bare patches. How Is It Treated? [While there is neither a cure for male or female pattern baldness nor drugs approved for its treatment], some citizens find that drugs approved for other purposes like pattern baldness can help hair grow back, healthy hair follicle at least in the short term. The following are some treatments for male or female pattern baldness. Keep in mind that while these methods of treatment may promote hair growth, none of them prevent new patches or in fact cure the underlying condition. Consult your health care professional with reference to the best choice for you. Corticosteroids - Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs, healthy hair follicle, similar to a hormone called cortisol produced in the body. Because these drugs suppress the immune system if given orally, they are often used in the treatment of various autoimmune diseases, including healthy hair follicle. Corticosteroids may be applied in 3 ways for alopecia areata:
Local injections - Injections of steroids directly into hairless patches on the scalp and occasionally the brow and beard areas are effective in hair growth in most folks. It usually takes about 1 month for new hair growth to become visible. Injections deliver tiny amounts of cortisone to affected areas, avoiding the more serious side effects encountered with long-term oral use. The main side effects of innoculations are short term pain, mild swelling, and sometimes changes in pigmentation, as well as small indentations in the skin that go away when innoculations are halted. Because injections can be painful, they may not be the preferred treatment for children. After 1 or 2 months, new hair growth by and large becomes visible, and the innoculations ordinarily have to be repeated monthly. The cortisone destroys the confused immune cells and allows the hair to grow. Large areas cannot be treated, however, because the discomfort and the amount of medicine become too great and can result in side effects similar to those of the oral regimen. Oral corticosteroids - Corticosteroids taken orally are a mainstay of treatment for many autoimmune diseases and may be used in more extensive pattern baldness. But because of the risk of side effects of oral corticosteroids, such as hypertension, healthy hair follicle and cataracts, they are used only occasionally for alopecia areata and for shorter periods of time. Topical ointments - ointments or creams containing steroids rubbed directly onto the problem area are less traumatic than injections and, therefore, are occasionally preferred for children. However, corticosteroid ointments and creams alone are less effective than innoculations; they work best when combined with other topical treatments, such as minoxidil or anthralin.
Minoxidil (5%) (Rogaine) - Topical minoxidil mixture promotes hair growth in several conditions in which the hair follicle is tiny and not growing to its full potential. Minoxidil is FDA-approved for treating male and female pattern alopecia. It may also be useful in promoting hair growth in male or female pattern baldness. The tincture, applied twice daily, has been shown to promote hair growth in both adults and children, and may be used on the scalp, brow, and beard areas. With constant and proper use of the solution, new hair growth happens in about 3 months. Brand names included in this article are provided as examples only, and their inclusion does not mean that these products are endorsed by the National Institutes of Health or any other Government agency. Also, if a particular brand name is not mentioned, this does not mean or imply that the product is not satisfactory. Anthralin (Psoriatec) - Anthralin, a synthetic tar-like substance that alters immune function in the affected skin, is an approved treatment for psoriasis. Anthralin is also commonly used to treat pattern baldness. Anthralin is applied for one to three hours ("short contact therapy") to avoid skin irritation, healthy hair follicle which is not needed for the drug to work. When it works, new hair growth is generally evident in eight to twelve weeks. Anthralin is often used in combination with other methods of treatment, such as corticosteroid injections or minoxidil, for improved results. Sulfasalazine - A sulfa drug, sulfasalazine has been used as a treatment for different autoimmune disorders, including psoriasis. It acts on the immune system and has been used to some effect in patients with extremely bad male or female pattern baldness. Topical sensitizers - Topical sensitizers are medications that, when applied to the scalp, instigate an allergic reaction that leads to itching, scaling, and eventually hair growth. If the medication works, new hair growth is normally established in 3 to 12 months. Two topical sensitizers are used in alopecia areata: squaric acid dibutyl ester (SADBE) and diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP). Their safety and consistency of formula are currently under review. Oral cyclosporine - Originally developed to keep citizens's immune systems from rejecting transplanted organs, oral cyclosporine is sometimes used to suppress the immune system response in psoriasis and other immune-mediated skin conditions. But suppressing the immune system can also instigates problems, including an increased risk of serious infection and possibly skin cancer. Although oral cyclosporine may regrow hair in pattern baldness, it does not turn the ailment off. Most family doctors feel the dangers of the drug outweigh its benefits for alopecia areata and healthy hair follicle. Photochemotherapy - In photochemotherapy, a treatment used most commonly for psoriasis, a person is given a light-sensitive drug called a psoralen either orally or topically given and then exposed to an ultraviolet light source. This combined treatment is known as PUVA. In clinical trials, around 55 percent of individuals achieve cosmetically acceptable hair growth using photochemotherapy. However, the relapse rate is high, and patients must go to a treatment center where the equipment is available at least two to three times per week. Furthermore, the treatment carries the risk of developing skin cancer. Alternative therapies - When drug treatments fail to bring enough hair re-growth, some people turn to alternative therapies - healthy hair follicle. Alternatives purported to help male or female pattern baldness include evening primrose oil, acupuncture, Chinese herbs, zinc and vitamin supplements, and aroma therapy. Because many other types of therapies are not backed by clinical trials, they may or may not be effective for re-growing hair. In fact, some may actually make hair loss worse. Furthermore, just because these are natural therapies does not mean that they are safe to employ. As with any therapy, it is best to talk about these methods of treatment with your physician prior to trying them.
In addition to treatments to help hair grow, there are steps that can be taken to lessen the physical dangers or disadvantages of hair loss. Sunscreens are important for the scalp, face, and all exposed areas. Glasses (or sunglasses) protect the eyes from too much sun rays, and from particles of dust and debris, when eyebrows or eyelashes are missing. Wigs, caps, or scarves protect the scalp from ultra violet light and keep the head warm. Antibiotic ointment applied inside the nostrils helps to protect against organisms invading the nose when nostril hair is missing.
How Will alopecia areata Affect My Life and Lifestyle? This is a common question, particularly for children, teenagers and young adults who are beginning to form lifelong goals and who may live with the effects of alopecia areata for many years, healthy hair follicle. It is good to know that male or female pattern baldness is not a painful disease and does not make persons feel sick physically. It is not contagious, and folks who have the pattern baldness ailment are generally healthy otherwise. It does not shorten life expectancy and it should not interfere with the capability to achieve such life goals as going to school, working, marrying, raising a family, playing sports, and exercising. The emotional effects of living with alopecia, however, can be challenging. Many persons cope by learning as much as they can with reference to the affliction; speaking with others who are facing the same symptoms; and, if necessary, seeking counseling to help build a positive self-image. To take account of quality-of-life issues for healthy hair follicle, pattern baldness and all other skin conditions, the NIAMS sponsored a scientific meeting in September 2002 on the toll of skin ailments. How Can I Deal With With the Effects of This Disease? Living with baldness can be hard, especially in a culture that views a good head of hair as a sign of youthfulness and good health. Even so, most individuals with alopecia areata are well-adjusted, happy folks living full lives. The key to coping is valuing yourself for who you are, not for the amount of hair you have. Many people learning to deal with male or female pattern baldness find it helpful to talk with other citizens who are dealing with the same problems. In excess of four million persons nationally have this condition at some point in their lives, so you are not in isolation. If you would like to be in touch with others with the affliction, the National pattern baldness Foundation (NAAF) can help through its pen pal program, message boards, annual conference, and support groups that meet in several situations nationwide. An alternative way to cope with the ailment is to minimize its effects on your appearance. If you have total loss of hair, a wig or hairpiece can look natural and stylish. For small patches of loss of hair, a hair colored powder, cream or crayon applied to the scalp can make baldness less obvious by getting rid of the contrast between the hair and the scalp. Skilfully applied healthy hair follicle eyebrow pencil can mask missing eyebrows. Children with pattern baldness may prefer to wear bandanas, scarves or caps. There are many styles available to suit a child's interest and mood - a great deal even have ponytails fixed with healthy hair follicle. For females, attractive scarves can hide patchy alopecia; jewelry and clothing can distract attention from patchy hair; and proper makeup can camouflage the effects of lost hair on the face. If you would like to learn more about camouflaging the cosmetic aspects of healthy hair follicle male or female pattern baldness, ask your MD or members of your local support group to recommend a cosmetologist who specializes in working with folks whose appearance is affected by medical conditions. Is Research Close to Finding Better Treatments or a Cure? While a cure is not imminent, researchers are making headway toward a better understanding of the disease. This increased understanding will likely lead the way to better methods of treatment for alopecia areata and in the end a way to prevent or even cure it. Alopecia research ranges from the most basic studies of the mechanisms of hair growth and hair loss in mice to testing medicines and ways to apply drugs to help regrow hair in individuals. Both the National Institutes of Health and the National male or female pattern baldness Foundation support research into the healthy hair follicle male or female pattern baldness condition and its treatment. Here are some areas of research that hold promise: Developing an animal model - This is a critical first step toward understanding the ailment, and much progress has been made. By developing a mouse with a affliction similar to human alopecia areata, researchers into hair disease hope to learn more with reference to the mechanism of the disease and eventually develop immune system treatments for the condition in citizens. Mapping genes - Researchers are studying the possible genetic instigates and mechanism of the disease both in families that have one or more persons with the ]disease] and in the general population. An understanding of the genetics of the ailment will aid in disease prevention, early intervention, and development of specific therapies. Studying hair follicle development - By investigating how hair follicles form in mouse embryos, hair research scientists hope to gain a better understanding of hair cycle biology that may lead to methods of treatment for the underlying affliction process. Targeting the immune system - Several new agents found to be effective in treating psoriasis may prove to be effective in healthy hair follicle pattern baldness. These drugs work by blocking certain chemical messengers that play a role in the immune response, or by interfering with the activity of white blood cells (known as T-cells) that are involved in the immune system's attack on hair follicles. Recently developed therapies for treating other autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus may also benefit patients with healthy hair follicle alopecia areata. Finding better ways to administer drugs - One limitation of current topical therapies is getting the drug to the source of the problems, healthy hair follicle. Hair research scientists are looking for a substance that penetrates the fat under the skin to deliver medication directly to hair follicles. In laboratory animals, topically applied synthetic sacs called liposomes seem to fit the bill. Studies are still necessary to show whether liposomes achieve the same results for people. Understanding cytokines - Chemical messengers known as cytokines (healthy hair follicle) play a role in regulating the body's immune response, whether it is the standard response to a foreign invader such a virus or an abnormal response to a part of the body. Scientists believe that by giving certain inflammation inhibiting cytokines, it may enable them to impede or stop the body's unusual response to the hair follicles. Because giving the cytokines (healthy hair follicle) systemically may cause adverse effects, they believe a topical medication using liposomes to get the media to the root of the hair inside the follicle may be preferable. Understanding stem cell biology - Epithelial stem cells are immature cells that are responsible for regenerating and maintaining a variety of tissues, including the hair follicles and the skin. Stem cells in the follicle seem to be spared from injury in pattern baldness, which may explain why the potential for regrowth is always there in folks that have the condition. By studying the biology of these cells, and their immediate offspring, which seem to be targeted by the immune system, Researchers into hair disease hope to gain a better understanding of factors that trigger the affliction.
As a footnote, male or female pattern baldness has millions of suffers worldwide - you are not alone if you also suffer from it. Keep in mind that many individuals seriously affect their lives in a negative way by concentrating on the disease when perhaps they should be focussing on their lives instead. Almost all of the people that you come across will judge you by your attitude, your general demeanor and your personality - not by how much hair you have on your head. This has been a long healthy hair follicle article and we hope that it has bee useful to you. We would like to thank the website Hair Loss Tips for kindly allowing us to reproduce it. You searched for information in respect of healthy hair follicle, loss of hair, baldness, hair loss or alopecia. |