Can alopecia areata dye hair?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on September 02, 2024
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There are many causes for alopecia areata, most of which are related to diet and lifestyle habits. For example, frequently being picky about food, having an unbalanced diet, or consuming spicy and heavily flavored foods can trigger it. Long-term staying up late, anxiety, stress, and being in a bad mood can also cause it. Once alopecia areata occurs, try to avoid dyeing or perming your hair, as these chemical materials can potentially irritate the scalp and exacerbate the condition. It is recommended to seek proper treatment immediately after discovery, otherwise the condition might worsen, leading to complete hair loss or loss of eyebrows. Regular consumption of beans and maintaining a healthy diet and sleep schedule are also advised.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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What are the causes of alopecia areata?

The causes of alopecia areata are numerous, and the contributing factors may vary from person to person. Decreased immunity, frequent staying up late, anxiety, tension, poor mood, or long-term drinking and smoking, consuming spicy or strongly flavored foods, and lack of vitamins and trace elements, as well as local injuries, or frequent occurrences of folliculitis, abscesses, and cysts are all primary factors. Only a small number of cases may be related to genetics. Once diagnosed, it is essential to seek treatment from reputable medical institutions. Follicular tests can also be conducted to check for atrophy or necrosis. Generally, with persistent treatment, it is entirely curable.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Is rubbing ginger useful for alopecia areata?

Alopecia areata is commonly treated by applying raw ginger topically, which has a certain effect. Rubbing ginger juice on the affected scalp area can stimulate hair follicles and improve local blood circulation, offering some therapeutic benefits for alopecia areata. However, this is generally only used for mild symptoms or cases that have just developed. If the alopecia areata has been present for a long time or if long-term medication has been ineffective, the application of ginger tends to be minimally effective. If the symptoms are severe, it is advisable to seek formal treatment at a dermatology department of a regular hospital. Adjusting one's diet and lifestyle habits is important; avoid spicy and irritating foods, and do not consume overly salty or highly flavored foods. Strengthening exercise, avoiding staying up late, and preventing anxiety and stress are also recommended.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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What causes alopecia areata on the head?

Spots of baldness on the head can be associated with many reasons, usually due to excessive mental stress. Being in a state of tension and anxiety for a long period can easily lead to the occurrence of bald spots. Bald spots also have a certain relationship with genetic factors, generally related to family genetics. Frequent perming, hair dyeing, and other actions that damage hair quality can also lead to bald spots. Additionally, some endocrine disorders, immune factors, and infections such as fungi and bacteria, such as tinea capitis or folliculitis, can also cause bald spots. Therefore, if bald spots occur, it is recommended to promptly visit a dermatology department at a formal hospital for diagnosis and treatment. After the doctor identifies the specific cause, an appropriate treatment plan can be implemented, which may include oral cysteine tablets or choosing compound glycyrrhizin capsules and traditional Chinese medicine treatments.

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Written by Li Ya Ping
Dermatology Department
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How long will it take for a patch of alopecia areata to grow back?

Alopecia areata, also known as "ghost shearing," primarily manifests as a sudden appearance of a bald patch on the scalp. The skin on the surface of the bald patch is smooth, and its hair follicles are not atrophied, so most of the hair can usually regrow. For typical cases of alopecia areata, where the affected area is not too large and not too widespread, if one pulls on the hair at the edge of the bald patch by hand after entering a stable phase, the hair is quite secure and not easily pulled out, indicating a negative hair pull test. After entering this stable phase, it is common for some fuzz or fine hair to appear within three to four months, eventually leading to the complete restoration of hair. However, in rare cases, alopecia areata can progressively worsen, increasing in area and potentially leading to total baldness, where all hair on the scalp falls out. This can also extend to alopecia universalis, where hair from other parts of the body is also lost.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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The differences between alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, and androgenetic alopecia

Alopecia areata generally occurs only on the scalp with patchy hair loss, usually mild, affecting just a few patches. Total alopecia is an extension of alopecia areata, where hair loss progresses to complete baldness. Universal alopecia is more severe, involving not only complete hair loss on the scalp but also potential loss of eyebrows, armpit hair, pubic hair, and even all body hair. These three conditions represent a progressive worsening, with alopecia areata being the mildest and universal alopecia being the most severe. The treatment plans for these conditions are roughly the same, but the duration varies; long-term persistence is necessary, along with proper medication from a dermatology department in a reputable hospital.