All over the world, many people are trying to find how to stop alopecia areata from spreading.
Alopecia areata is a harmful disease, so people seek ways to stop it. This article will define alopecia areata, its causes, types, and best treatments to eliminate alopecia areata, and how to stop alopecia areata from spreading.
What is the definition of alopecia areata
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune sickness that causes hair loss on the scalp and face.
The hair loss is often in quarter-sized clumps. There are degrees of hair loss that vary from person to person. Losses of hair may be in a few places or significant losses.
The widespread alopecia areata is approximately 1 in 1000 people.
Studies show that alopecia areata is typical in males with a mean age of 32 years and in females with a mean age of 36.
Types of alopecia areata
Before we go into how to stop alopecia areata from spreading, we will mention types of alopecia areata.
Alopecia has different types. The most common type is alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is the most widespread type. There are other kinds of alopecia, such as
Alopecia areata totalis
hair loss on your head is complete.
Diffuse alopecia areata
sudden hair thinning rather than missing parts.
Ophiasis alopecia areata
occurs around the back and sides of your head. Hair loss is present in a band shape.
Causes of alopecia
Alopecia is present in people of all ages and both sexes.
It mostly appears during childhood, and it cannot be the same way for everyone. It is different from person to person.
Alopecia areata is considered an autoimmune disease. The immune system normally protects your body from bacteria and viruses that invade your body when your immune system attacks your body cells as a foreign cells causing an autoimmune disease.
In alopecia areata, your immune system invades your hair follicles wrongly.
Some cases can develop alopecia areata( risk factors)
- Genetic
- Vitiligo
- Thyroid disease
- Lack of vitamin D
There are some triggers for alopecia areata, such as
Hormonal changes
As in females, their hormones swing, especially in menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.
Lifestyle
This depends on how you exercise, what you eat, and how much sleep you take.
Inflammation
From any disease, dietary intolerances, and emotional stress.
How to stop alopecia areata from spreading in a natural way
You can use some home remedies to stop alopecia areata from spreading
Essential oil of lavender
Using the essential oil of lavender for alopecia areata is a popular home remedy. It has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effect
Studies done on animals showed that applying lavender essential oil topically to hairless regions increases the hair follicle number and depth and strengthens the dermal layer
Zinc
Zinc supplements have therapeutic advantages, especially for individuals who have zinc deficiency. So zinc supplement is effective as a natural therapy for alopecia areata because
it enhances your immune system function. Foods rich in zinc are pumpkin seeds, yogurt, cashews, chickpeas, grass-fed beef, lamb, and spinach
Probiotics
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that regulate your immune system. Probiotics treat many kinds of autoimmune diseases, among them alopecia areata. Probiotic supplements help the immune system by preventing the overreaction of your body. You can consume probiotics as a supplement or take them daily from your food, such as kombucha, yogurt, apple cider vinegar, kefir, and cultured vegetables
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a method used in treating alopecia areata. It suppresses the cells of the immune system that attack your hair follicles and cause hair loss. This method warms and stimulates your hair follicles, enhances blood circulation in the afflicted area, and reduces inflammation
reduce stress
The daily life stress or even the stress that causes hair loss can stimulate alopecia areata, so to decrease hair loss and thinning, you should reduce stress to enable your body to repair your hair and grows back quickly. You can do stress-reducing exercises such as yoga, meditation, and writing to enhance blood circulatio
Foods help treat alopecia areata and replaying for some people who ask how to stop alopecia areata from spreading
Food that can help in treating alopecia areata has anti-inflammatory effects such as
- broccoli
- nuts
- seeds
- ginger
- bone broth
- turmeric
- coconut oil
- beets
- green leafy vegetables
- blueberries
How to stop alopecia areata from spreading through medical treatments
If the above home remedies are useless, you can use medical treatments for alopecia
areata, such as
Injections of corticosteroid
They are applied to the bald regions of the scalp or the hairless region of your beard
These injections are applied every 4 to 8 weeks. It has been found that for people who are treated with corticosteroid injections for 12 weeks, half of their hair regenerate
Topical corticosteroid
For answering people who ask how to stop alopecia areata from spreading, topical corticosteroids can be used as creams that can be applied on bald areas. Your dermatologist will prescribe you these creams, which can help in supporting hair regrowth
Phototherapy
Phototherapy is another option by using ultraviolet A-1. It can help reverse alopecia areata and increase hair growth. Phototherapy is considered a promising treatment
Why is my alopecia spreading
Alopecia is spreading because it is an autoimmune disease, and your immune system attacks your hair follicles, causing hair loss or bald regions
How do you stop alopecia from spreading
To answer people’s questions about how to stop alopecia areata from spreading, we above go into treatments naturally( home remedies) or medical treatments
How do you stop the immune system from attacking your hair follicle
Corticosteroids are the best treatment because they suppress the overactivity of the immune system. You can take it orally, intravenously, and topically as creams, ointments, or foam
Does vitamin D help in treating alopecia areata
Yes, vitamin D can help in treating alopecia areata. It is combined with corticosteroids, and both are effective in treating alopecia areata
Alopecia areata can occur in children and adults, causing hair loss or a few bald regions first and spreading to other hair follicles. Knowing how to stop alopecia areata from spreading at the early stages is necessary and control the disease’s severity and improve your quality of life
Other symptoms of alopecia areata include
- Changes in your fingernails like white spots, thinning, splitting, and roughness
- minor discomfort on your skin because of hair loss
- Itching
- Eye irritation if your eyebrows and eyelashes are lost
- sinus discomfort
Diagnosis of alopecia areata by dermatologist
Your dermatologist will examine your skin closely. He will diagnose the hairless areas and may need a biopsy from the afflicted area to examine it under the microscope. In a biopsy, some of the affected skin will be removed to be examined under the microscope
Your dermatologist will use a dermatoscope to examine your scalp. A blood test will help diagnose alopecia areata and other autoimmune diseases
How to stop alopecia areata from spreading or becoming worse
Suppose you have alopecia areata and want to prevent it from spreading. In that case, your dermatologist instructs you some advice, such as reducing stress and adjusting your diet using healthy food
Because alopecia areata is an autoimmune sickness, you need immunosuppression
drugs to suppress the immune system and prevent it from attacking your hair follicles
, causing hair loss. Immunosuppressant drugs such as corticosteroids. Corticosteroids may
be taken intravenously, orally, and topically. Minoxidil is also used in treating alopecia
areata, it is mainly used as an antihypertensive drug, and as a side effect, it stimulates hair
.growth. It is used in treating alopecia areata on your scalp or beard regions
