What is causing the itchy alopecia areata?

Written by Liu Jing
Dermatology
Updated on April 19, 2025
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Alopecia areata, commonly known as "ghost shaving," often manifests itching symptoms which usually indicate a local inflammatory response. It requires comprehensive treatment including regulation and immunity, attention to rest, ensuring adequate sleep, and maintaining a good mood. It's advisable to consume more black foods and take oral medications like compound glycyrrhizin tablets and folic acid tablets. For the affected alopecia areata areas, topical applications of minoxidil spray, dermatan sulfate chondroitin sulfate cream, or pimecrolimus cream can be used. Additional physical measures include treatment with fractional laser and helium-neon laser radiation. If necessary, local injections of compound betamethasone injection solution or triamcinolone acetonide can be administered to achieve anti-inflammatory effects.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Does alopecia areata inherit?

Alopecia areata is not hereditary; it is mostly caused by personal factors, such as irregular and unbalanced diets, or consuming spicy and overly salty foods. Additionally, frequent anxiety, tension, and bad moods can also lead to the condition. Generally, by regulating one's diet and lifestyle habits, milder cases can improve without medication. However, if the symptoms of alopecia areata worsen and the area of hair loss expands, formal medication is needed. With long-term persistence, complete recovery is possible. During treatment, it is important to regulate diet and lifestyle habits, strengthen exercise, and enhance immunity, all of which aid in treatment.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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How long does it generally take for hair to regrow from alopecia areata?

The causes of alopecia areata are numerous, including reduced immunity, long-term consumption of spicy and irritating foods, frequent anxiety and stress, poor mood, or prolonged lack of nutrition. For milder cases of alopecia areata, hair can usually regrow within 1 to 3 months through self-adjustment of diet and lifestyle habits, along with increased exercise. However, for more severe cases, where hair loss covers a larger area, in addition to standard medical treatments, enhancing exercise, strengthening immunity, consuming more vegetables and fruits, and diversifying the diet are recommended. Typically, one treatment cycle lasts at least 3 months, and for severe symptoms, treatment may be needed for half a year or even longer. Persistence is crucial in managing this condition.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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What should be paid attention to in daily life for alopecia areata?

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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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 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.