Can alopecia areata heal itself?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on August 31, 2024
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For most people, alopecia areata can gradually heal on its own initially through dietary adjustments or personal lifestyle attention. However, if the condition does not improve after three months or six months, formal medical treatment is necessary.

It is important to avoid spicy and highly seasoned foods, maintain a regular schedule, and try to avoid staying up late, feeling anxious, tense, or in a bad mood. Also, avoid irritating the scalp with hair dyeing or perming. Formal treatment is essential, otherwise the condition may worsen, potentially leading to complete hair loss, including loss of eyebrows, armpit hair, and pubic hair. It is crucial to adhere to a regulated diet and lifestyle habits, strengthen exercise, and enhance immunity.

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Dermatology
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Does alopecia areata spread?

Alopecia areata manifests as patchy hair loss on the scalp. In its early stages, or when symptoms are mild, many people can fully recover by adjusting their diet or lifestyle habits, without experiencing any spread of the condition. However, if left to develop over a long period, the symptoms might worsen. It is necessary to avoid spicy, highly flavorful, or irritating foods, and to maintain a healthy lifestyle free of anxiety, stress, sleep deprivation, and bad moods. Upon noticing symptoms, it is advisable to consult the dermatology department of a reputable hospital. There, doctors can make a comprehensive diagnosis and create a treatment plan. With long-term adherence, the condition is entirely treatable.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Will alopecia areata heal itself without treatment?

Most cases of alopecia areata, especially those that have just appeared or in children, generally do not require treatment and can resolve on their own. The prerequisite is to maintain a proper diet and lifestyle habits, eat more vegetables and fruits, ensure children do not become picky eaters or have an unbalanced diet, engage in appropriate exercise, and avoid staying up late. If alopecia areata persists for three months or even longer without signs of self-recovery, it may then be necessary to seek medical intervention using medications or other methods. One should visit the dermatology department of a reputable hospital, where treatment might involve oral medication combined with topical drugs. Other options can include plum blossom needle tapping or local medicinal injections. Employing a variety of treatment methods can often speed up recovery. It is essential to maintain long-term commitment to treatment, typically in courses of three months each, but ultimately, the condition is generally treatable.

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Dermatology
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Can people with alopecia areata dye their hair?

Alopecia areata often occurs mostly due to decreased immunity or eating spicy, irritating foods, foods with overly strong flavors, frequently staying up late, anxiety, tension, and bad moods. Once alopecia areata appears, it is necessary to seek formal treatment, avoid dyeing or perming hair, and avoid using irritating hair gels. It is advisable to maintain hair hygiene with clean water or warm water washing, in conjunction with formally prescribed oral and topical medications, and local medication occlusion treatment can also be coordinated. If the symptoms are severe, one may also visit a formal hospital to check if the hair follicles have atrophied or died. Avoiding spicy, irritating foods, enhancing exercise, and strengthening immunity can completely cure the condition.

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Dermatology
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Causes and Prevention of Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata can be caused by a variety of factors and can occur at any age. Generally, alopecia areata in children is mostly related to picky eating or an imbalanced diet, including excessive snacks. Among adolescents or middle-aged individuals, alopecia areata can be related to high stress levels, vigorous sebaceous gland activity, or the frequent consumption of spicy and stimulating foods. For middle-aged and elderly people, it could be related to other diseases within the body, such as liver or kidney disease. Therefore, it is important to foster good dietary and lifestyle habits, strengthen physical exercise to boost immunity, include more legumes in the diet, and regularly massage the scalp, all of which can serve as preventive and therapeutic measures.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Does alopecia areata need treatment?

Alopecia areata is characterized by localized or patchy hair loss on the scalp. There are many causes for this condition, most of which are related to individual dietary habits and lifestyle. For instance, irregular meal times, malnutrition, or frequent consumption of spicy and stimulating foods can contribute to the condition. Additionally, staying up late, experiencing anxiety, tension, or overall poor mood can also lead to hair loss. In most cases, alopecia areata that appears for a short period can be treated through dietary adjustments. However, if the affected area is large, it is advisable to seek professional treatment at a dermatology department of a formal hospital; otherwise, the area of hair loss may continue to expand. If it progresses severely, it might lead to complete hair loss or even loss of eyebrows.