What type of alopecia do i have?

Have you ever looked in the mirror and wondered, “Why am I losing my hair?” Well, worry no more! In this article, we will break down the different types of alopecia and help you identify which one might be affecting your hair.

The Holy Grail: Understanding Alopecia

Before delving into the different types of alopecia, let’s first understand what it is. Alopecia is a medical term used to describe hair loss that can occur on any part of the body either partially or completely. It affects people of all ages, genders and ethnicity.

Some people experience mild and temporary thinning of their scalp hair whereas others may have severe permanent baldness over time. Hair loss can begin suddenly or gradually develop over years, leading to self-esteem issues for many.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at some common – and not so common – types of alopecia:

Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA)

Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA), also known as male/female pattern baldness is by far the most common type experienced by both men & women. It accounts for about 95%[1]of cases amongst them both; however its onset age differs between sexes.[2]

In AGA there is an increased sensitivity to an enzyme in our bodies called Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This leads to miniaturisation [3]of hair follicles making them smaller overtime until they stop producing visible hairs altogether with subsequent increase exposure seen on specific regions such as vertex for males versus – crown region mainly impacted in females [4].

Male AGA

Males accompanied by MPB generally start undergoing changes from teenage years when testosterone release begins rapidly increasing[5]. Symptoms are usually observed first around mid 20s via temporal regions-also referred as S-shaped receding now right at the hairline and top area [6]

Meantime vertex balding (mid-crown) is followed after some years; This may result in either a partial or complete absence of scalp hairs which can extend to all remaining anagen phase (hair growth cycle).[7]

Like women, men are susceptible to producing less DHT earlier leading them to develop bitemporal recession [8]. In male AGA contrary to popular belief normal hormone levels aren’t required- its just how easily the body converts testosterone into this active form.[9]

Female AGA

Unfortunately up-to-date information about female baldness rates is scanty due asymmetric distribution compared with males. Progressive thinning usually noticed from middle age onwards and further exacerbated during post-menopause years as estrogen production down-regulates[10]. It is important here that FPHL does not resemble MPB since it typically involves diffuse but patterned loss distributed over frontal,[11] parietal regions leaving occipital intact/less impacted. ….

Alopecia Areata (AA)

Alopecia Areata often starts suddenly without any apparent cause for concerns ranging from mild single patches without symptoms such as itching, redness or scaling; however other folks may present different variants including:patchy/persistent alopecia totalis(areas covered by facial & scalp), universalis -which in rare cases cells wipe-out follicles everywhere on human bodies!

In AA our immune system targets hair follicle cells termed Bulbs within diverse depths called Hair Schaffer Vs Catagen Vs Telogen lesion types seen under magnification.. An array of factors contribute culminating in both genetic component & environmental triggers related eg stress etc.^1 The hair bulb therefore cannot form new hair shafts consequently causing breakage hence patterned results…

Traction Alopecia( TA).

This type occurs when physical stress leads progressive thinning or breaking off ultimately injured hairs also loss of follicular function. There are two primary ways this may occur: chronic repeated pressure or friction eg hair styles like pony tails, weaving, braiding etc^2 The other rarer trigger is external attachments such as bullet wounds or some medical adhesive[3]. For example picking off psoriasis plaque from scalp that’s been glued…

Telogen Effluvium (TE)

What do you call it when a significant amount of your hairs remain in their resting phase before falling out en masse ? Telogen Effluvium (TE)

There is an array of circumstances that can shape normal(slash abnormal )hair cycling process which we identify as growth ,resting & shedding times to cause TE when there is “excess” number anchoring on the same time line [1].

Acute/ Chronic TE Hair Loss Triggers

Common triggers include pregnancy and child birth shifts; medication amendments mainly enteric anti-cancerous therapies causing injury at matrix level:-;
severe physical emotional distress episodes – relocation, loss/life-changes/stress ; nutritional imbalances-psychosocial illness markers ^7.

Alopecia Gracious Media People!

With all these tips in mind about alopecia and its types. We hope that you have gained clarity on what type might be affecting your hair! If you’re still unsure though, make sure to schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional.

Until next time!

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