What is alopecia?

We often listen about alopecia, but not the least of us who know exactly what it is alopecia. Let's talk a little about this alopecia.

Alopecia is the medical description of hair loss from the head or body, sometimes the level of baldness.

Unlike the revocation of the general aesthetics of body hair, alopecia tends to deliberate and unintended, for example, androgenic alopecia.

However, it may also be caused by psychological pressure to pull out one's own hair (trichotillomania) or the unforeseen consequences of voluntary hairstyling routines (mechanical "traction alopecia" from excessively tight ponytails or braids, or burns to the scalp from hair relaxer caustic solutions or hot hair iron).

In some cases, alopecia is an indication of an underlying medical concern, such as iron deficiency.

When hair loss occurs only in one part, this is known as alopecia areata. This is the most common form of the disease and is consistent with a sudden loss of hair, causing patches to appear either on the scalp or other body areas.

If not treated, or if the disease does not respond to treatment, complete baldness can result in the affected area, known as alopecia totalis.

Alopecia universalis is when the whole body suffers a complete loss of hair, and similar to the affect associated with chemotherapy.

In May 2009, researchers in Japan identified the gene, SOX21, which appears to be responsible for hair loss in humans and researchers in India found the missing link between androgen hormones and hair loss. Androgenic alopecia is said to counterproductive results of the anabolic effects of androgens.

Treatment options to medical and the alternative approaches