What should be paid attention to in daily life for alopecia areata?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on September 14, 2024
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Alopecia areata has many causes and complex contributing factors, and each person's triggering elements differ. Besides seeking treatment from qualified medical institutions, it is crucial to avoid spicy and stimulating foods, overly salty or strongly flavored foods, as well as to refrain from staying up late, feeling anxious, stressed, or upset. It is essential to enhance physical exercise to boost immunity and to avoid using irritating hair products such as gels or conditioners, or frequently perming or dyeing the hair, as these do not aid in treatment. Another important aspect is the need for long-term and persistent treatment because the effects of treatment for this condition are very slow to manifest. A single treatment cycle requires at least three months, but with long-term commitment, it is entirely possible to achieve a complete cure.

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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.

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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.

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Written by Liu Jing
Dermatology
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What should I do about alopecia areata?

Alopecia areata, commonly known as "ghost shaving," has an unknown cause and its onset mechanism is related to the immune system. Factors such as fatigue, anxiety, nervousness, and lack of sleep can all trigger this condition, and it requires supportive symptomatic treatment such as immune modulation. Oral administration of L-cysteine tablets, vitamin B6 tablets, and compound glycyrrhizin tablets, along with topical application of 5% minoxidil spray in the affected area, as well as chondroitin sulfate polysulfate cream or pimecrolimus cream, combined with physical therapy measures like helium-neon laser irradiation, are recommended. It is also important to rest, consume dark-colored foods including black sesame, black fungus, and black rice, and maintain a good emotional state. (Note: The use of medications should be under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Can people with alopecia areata perm their hair?

After the symptoms of alopecia areata appear, try not to perm or dye your hair, or use hair gels or creams that are highly irritating. These can easily scald the scalp or irritate the hair follicles, affecting local blood circulation, leading to exacerbation of alopecia areata symptoms or increasing the difficulty of treatment. Once symptoms occur, be sure to seek treatment with standard medications at reputable medical institutions. Also, regulate your diet and lifestyle habits. Avoid spicy and heavily flavored foods, try not to stay up late, and avoid anxiety, tension, or bad moods. Persistent treatment is key to managing this condition. As long as the treatment is consistently followed for at least a three-month course, it can ultimately be completely cured.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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What causes alopecia areata?

There are many causes of alopecia areata, the most common being various infections, such as bacterial and fungal infections. Psychological factors also play a significant role, such as excessive mental stress, frequent anxiety, depression, irritability, etc. Additionally, traumatic injuries can trigger alopecia areata. If there are underlying internal diseases, they can also cause alopecia areata. Hormonal imbalances, especially in women before and after pregnancy due to irregular secretion of estrogen and androgen, can lead to alopecia areata. Therefore, there are various reasons for alopecia areata. If you have patches of hair loss on your scalp, it is advisable to visit a reputable hospital for a check-up to determine the specific cause. Under a doctor's guidance, you might use hair regrowth medications such as compound scytonemin hair tonic or minoxidil solution for treatment. It is also important to avoid staying up late.