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Pattern Baldness
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Dandruff and picture
What Is pattern baldness? male or female pattern baldness is considered an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system, which is designed to protect the body from foreign invaders such as viruses and bacteria, mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, the tiny cup-shaped stopped from which hairs grow, dandruff .and. picture. This can lead to loss of hair on the scalp and other sites on the body. In most cases, hair falls out in small, round patches about the size of a dime. In many situations, the ailment does not extend beyond a couple of patches. In some folks, baldness is more extensive. Although uncommon, dandruff .and. picture, the condition can carry on to to cause total loss of hair on the head (referred to as alopecia totalis) or complete loss of hair on the head, face, and body (alopecia universalis). What Causes It? In alopecia areata, immune system cells known as white blood cells attack the speedily growing cells in the hair follicles that make the hair. The problem hair follicles become tiny and radically impede hair production. Fortunately, the stem cells that continually supply the follicle with new cells do not seem to be targeted. and therefore the follicle always has the potential to regrow hair - dandruff .and. picture. Researchers do not know precisely why the hair follicles undergo these changes, dandruff .and. picture but they have a suspician that a combination of genes may predispose some people to the disease. In those who are genetically predisposed, some type of trigger - perhaps a virus or a certain something in the person's environment - brings on the assault against the hair follicles. Who Is Most Likely To Get It? male or female pattern baldness seriously affects around 4,000,000 US citizens of both sexes and of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. It often begins in childhood dandruff .and. picture. If you happen to have a close relation with the affliction, your risk of developing it is slightly increased. If your relative lost her or his initial patch of hair before age 30, the risk to other family members is greater. On the whole, one in five citizens that have the affliction have a relation who has it as well. Is My alopecia areata a Symptom of a Serious Disease? pattern baldness is not a life-threatening ailment and neither is dandruff .and. picture. It does not instigates any physical pain, and individuals that are afflicted with the disease are generally in good health otherwise. But for most people, a condition that unpredictably affects their appearance the way male or female pattern baldness does is a serious matter. The effects of pattern baldness are primarily socially and emotionally worrying. In alopecia universalis, however, loss of eyelashes and eyebrows and hair in the nose and ears can make the person more vulnerable to dust, germs, and foreign particles entering the nose, eyes, and ears. alopecia areata often occurs in persons whose family members have other autoimmune diseases, such as diabetes, thyroid disease, pernicious anemia, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis or Addison's disease or even dandruff .and. picture. People who have alopecia areata do not customarily have other autoimmune ailments, but they do have a higher occurrence of atopic eczema, nasal allergies, thyroid disease and asthma, dandruff .and. picture. Can I Pass It on to My Children? It is possible, but not likely, for pattern baldness to be inherited. Most children with male or female pattern baldness do not have a dad or mom with the affliction, and the vast majority of parents with male or female pattern baldness do not pass it along to their children. alopecia areata is not like some genetic conditions in which a child has a 50 50 chance of developing the ailment if one parent has it. Scientists believe that there may be a number of genes that predispose certain individuals to the disease. It is highly unlikely that a child would inherit all of the genes required to predispose him or her to the condition. Even with the right (or wrong) combination of genes, pattern baldness is not a certainty. In identical twins, who share all of the same genes, the concordance rate is only 55 percent. In other words, if one twin has the ailment, there is only a fifty five percent chance that the other twin will have it too. This shows that other considerations besides genetics are neccessary to trigger the affliction. To learn more in respect of the genes and other factors involved in alopecia areata risk, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is funding an male or female pattern baldness registry dandruff .and. picture. The registry is an organized network of five centers throughout the US that will identify and register patients with the disease and collect data and blood samples (which contain genes). Data, including genetic information, will be made available to hair research scientists studying the genetic basis and other aspects of disease and disease risk. (For more information with reference to the registry, see "How Can I Take Part In Research?") Will My Hair Ever Grow Back? There is every chance that your hair will grow back again, but it might also fall out again however. It is not possible to predict whether it may regrow or fall out. The course of the disease varies from person to person. Some persons lose just a few patches of hair, dandruff .and. picture after which the hair grows again and the condition never recurs. Other people continue to lose and regrow hair for many years. A few people lose all the hair on their head; others lose all the hair on their head, face and body. Even in those who lose all their hair, the possibility for full regrowth remains. In some, the initial hair re-growth is white, with a gradual return of the original hair color. In most, the re-grown hair is finally the same color and texture as the original hair. What Can I Expect Next? The course of pattern baldness is highly unpredictable, and the uncertainty of what will happen next is probably the most difficult and frustrating aspect of the condition. You may continue to lose hair, or your alopecia may stop, dandruff .and. picture. Your lost hair may or may not grow back and you may or may not continue to develop new bare patches. How Is It Treated? [While there is neither a cure for alopecia areata nor drugs approved for its treatment], some citizens find that medications approved for other purposes like pattern baldness can help hair grow back, dandruff .and. picture at least in the short term. The following are some methods of treatment for alopecia areata. Keep in mind that while these treatments may promote hair growth, none of them prevent new patches or actually cure the underlying affliction. Consult your health care professional about the best choice for you. Corticosteroids - Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs, dandruff .and. picture, similar to a hormone called cortisol produced in the body. Because these drugs suppress the immune system if given orally, they are often used in the treatment of various autoimmune diseases, including dandruff .and. picture. Corticosteroids may be taken in three ways for male or female pattern baldness:
Local innoculations - Injections of steroids directly into hairless patches on the scalp and occasionally the brow and beard areas are effective in hair growth in most folks. It typically takes with reference to 4 weeks for new hair growth to become visible. Injections deliver tiny amounts of cortisone to affected areas, avoiding the more serious side effects encountered with long-term oral use. The main side effects of injections are passing pain, mild swelling, and sometimes changes in pigmentation, as well as small indentations in the skin that go away when innoculations are stopped. Because injections can be painful, they may not be the preferred treatment for children. After four to eight weeks, new hair growth normally becomes visible, and the injections generally have to be repeated monthly. The cortisone destroys the confused immune cells and allows the hair to grow. Large areas cannot be treated, however, because the discomfort and the amount of medicine become too great and can result in side effects similar to those of the oral regimen. Oral corticosteroids - Corticosteroids taken orally are a mainstay of treatment for many autoimmune diseases and may be used in more extensive pattern baldness. But because of the risk of side effects of oral corticosteroids, such as hypertension, dandruff .and. picture and cataracts, they are used only occasionally for male or female pattern baldness and for shorter periods of time. Topical ointments - ointments or creams containing steroids rubbed directly onto the affected area are less traumatic than innoculations and, therefore, are occasionally preferred for children. However, corticosteroid ointments and creams alone are less effective than injections; they work best when combined with other topical treatments, such as minoxidil or anthralin.
Minoxidil (5%) (Rogaine) - Topical minoxidil mixture promotes hair growth in several conditions in which the hair follicle is tiny and not growing to its full potential. Minoxidil is FDA-approved for treating male and female pattern hair loss. It may also be useful in promoting hair growth in alopecia areata. The tincture, applied twice daily, has been shown to promote hair growth in both adults and children, and may be used on the scalp, brow, and beard areas. With regular and proper use of the solution, new hair growth occurs in with reference to twelve weeks. Brand names included in this article are provided as examples only, and their inclusion does not mean that these products are endorsed by the National Institutes of Health or any other Government agency. Also, if a particular brand name is not mentioned, this does not mean or imply that the product is not satisfactory. Anthralin (Psoriatec) - Anthralin, a man-made tar-like substance that alters immune function in the problem skin, is an approved treatment for psoriasis. Anthralin is also commonly used to treat male or female pattern baldness. Anthralin is applied for 20 to 60 minutes ("short contact therapy") to avoid skin irritation, dandruff .and. picture which is not appropriate for the drug to work. When it works, new hair growth is usually evident in eight to twelve weeks. Anthralin is often used in combination with other methods of treatment, such as corticosteroid innoculations or minoxidil, for improved results. Sulfasalazine - A sulfa drug, sulfasalazine has been used as a treatment for different autoimmune disorders, including psoriasis. It acts on the immune system and has been used to some effect in patients with very bad alopecia areata. Topical sensitizers - Topical sensitizers are drugs that, when applied to the scalp, start an allergic reaction that leads to itching, scaling, and eventually hair growth. If the medication works, new hair growth is ordinarily established in 3 to 12 months. Two topical sensitizers are used in pattern baldness: squaric acid dibutyl ester (SADBE) and diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP). Their safety and consistency of formula are currently under review. Oral cyclosporine - Originally developed to keep citizens's immune systems from rejecting transplanted organs, oral cyclosporine is sometimes used to suppress the immune system response in psoriasis and other immune-mediated skin conditions. But suppressing the immune system can also cause problems, including an increased risk of serious infection and possibly skin cancer. Although oral cyclosporine may regrow hair in alopecia areata, it does not turn the ailment off. Most family doctors feel the dangers of the drug outweigh its benefits for pattern baldness and dandruff .and. picture. Photochemotherapy - In photochemotherapy, a treatment used most commonly for psoriasis, a person is given a light-sensitive drug known as a psoralen either orally or topically given and then exposed to an ultraviolet light source. This combined treatment is called PUVA. In clinical trials, approximately 55 percent of persons achieve cosmetically acceptable hair growth using photochemotherapy. However, the relapse rate is high, and patients must go to a treatment center where the equipment is available at least two or three times per week. Furthermore, the treatment brings the risk of developing skin cancer. Alternative therapies - When drug treatments fail to bring enough hair regrowth, some folks turn to other types of therapies - dandruff .and. picture. Alternatives purported to help male or female pattern baldness include Chinese herbs, aroma therapy, zinc and vitamin supplements, evening primrose oil, and acupuncture. Because many alternative therapies are not backed by clinical trials, they may or may not be effective for re-growing hair. In fact, some may in fact make baldness worse. Furthermore, just because these therapies are natural does not mean that they are safe to employ. As with any therapy, it is best to talk about these methods of treatment with your physician prior to attempting them.
In addition to treatments to help hair grow, there are steps that can be taken to lessen the physical dangers or discomforts of hair loss. Sunscreens are important for the scalp, face, and all exposed areas of the body. Glasses (or sunglasses) protect the eyes from too much sun rays, and from dust and debris, when eyebrows or eyelashes are missing. False hairpieces, caps, or scarves protect the scalp from ultra violet light and keep the head warm. Antibiotic ointment applied inside the nostrils can help to protect against organisms invading the nose when nostril hair is missing.
How Will alopecia areata Affect My Life and Lifestyle? This is a common question, particularly for children, teens and young adults who are starting to form lifelong aims and who may live with the effects of pattern baldness for many years, dandruff .and. picture. It is a comfort to realize that pattern baldness is not a painful affliction and does not make people feel sick physically. It is not contagious, and individuals who have the male or female pattern baldness ailment are generally healthy otherwise. It does not reduce life expectancy and it should not interfere with the ability to achieve such life goals as going to school, working, marrying, raising a family, playing sports, and exercising. The psychological effects of living with hair loss, however, can be a challenge. Many individuals cope by learning as much as they can about the disease; speaking with others who are facing the same problems; and, if necessary, seeking counseling to help construct a positive self-image. To address quality-of-life issues for dandruff .and. picture, male or female pattern baldness and all other skin conditions, the NIAMS sponsored a scientific meeting in September 2002 on the burden of skin conditions. How Can I Deal With With the Effects of This Disease? Living with alopecia can be hard, especially in a culture that views hair as a sign of youthfulness and good health. Even so, most people with alopecia areata are well-adjusted, happy persons living full lives. The key to coping is valuing yourself for who you are, not for the amount of hair you have. Many citizens learning to deal with pattern baldness find it helpful to talk with other folks who are dealing with the same problems. Over 4,000,000 persons across the country have this ailment at some point in their lives, so always remember that you are not in isolation. If you would like to be in touch with others with the affliction, the National male or female pattern baldness Foundation (NAAF) can help through its pen pal program, message boards, annual conference, and support groups that meet in several locations nationwide. An alternative way to cope with the disease is to minimize its effects on your appearance. If you are unfortunate enough to have total loss of hair, a wig or hairpiece can look natural and contemporary. For small patches of loss of hair, a hair-colored crayon, cream or powder applied to the scalp can make alopecia less obvious by getting rid of the contrast between the hair and the scalp. Skilfully applied dandruff .and. picture eyebrow pencil can mask missing eyebrows. Children with alopecia areata may prefer to wear bandanas, scarves or caps. There are many styles available to suit a child's interest and mood - a lot even have ponytails fixed with dandruff .and. picture. For females, attractive scarves can hide patchy hair loss; jewelry and clothing can distract attention from patchy hair; and proper makeup can camouflage the effects of lost facial hair. If you would like to learn more about masking the cosmetic aspects of dandruff .and. picture pattern baldness, ask your family doctor or members of your local support group to recommend a cosmetic professional who specializes in working with individuals whose appearance is affected by medical conditions. Is Research Close to Finding Better Treatments or a Cure? While a cure is not imminent, researchers into hair disease are making headway toward a better understanding of the condition. This increased understanding will likely lead the way to better methods of treatment for male or female pattern baldness and in the end a way to prevent or even cure it. Alopecia research ranges from the most basic studies of the mechanisms of hair growth and baldness in mice to testing medicines and ways to apply drugs to help regrow hair in citizens. Both the National Institutes of Health and the National pattern baldness Foundation support research into the dandruff .and. picture pattern baldness condition and its treatment. Here are some areas of research that hold promise: Developing an animal model - This is a critical first step toward understanding the ailment, and much progress has been made. By developing a mouse with a affliction similar to human alopecia areata, researchers hope to learn more with reference to the mechanism of the disease and finally develop immune system treatments for the ailment in folks. Mapping genes - Researchers into hair disease are investigating the possible genetic instigates and mechanism of the disease both in families that have one or more persons with the ]disease] and in the general population. An understanding of the genetics of the condition will aid in disease prevention, early intervention, and development of specific therapies. Studying hair follicle development - By studying how hair follicles form in mouse embryos, scientists hope to gain a better understanding of hair cycle biology that may lead to methods of treatment for the underlying affliction process. Targeting the immune system - Several new media found to be effective in treating psoriasis may prove to be effective in dandruff .and. picture male or female pattern baldness. These drugs work by blocking certain chemical messengers that have a role to play in the immune response, or by interfering with the activity of white blood cells (called T-cells) that are involved in the immune system's attack on hair follicles. New therapies for treating other autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus may also benefit patients with dandruff .and. picture alopecia areata. Finding better ways to administer drugs - One limitation of current topical therapies is getting the drug to the source of the difficulties, dandruff .and. picture. Hair research scientists are looking for a material that penetrates the fat layer under the skin to deliver medication directly to hair follicles. In laboratory animals, topically applied synthetic sacs known as liposomes seem to be working. Studies are still needed to show whether liposomes work in the same way for people. Understanding cytokines - Chemical messengers called cytokines (dandruff .and. picture) play a role in regulating the body's immune response, whether it is the normal response to a foreign invader such a virus or an unusual response to a part of the body. Scientists believe that by giving certain inflammation inhibiting cytokines, it may be possible to stop or slow the body's abnormal response to the hair follicles. Because giving the cytokines (dandruff .and. picture) systemically may instigates adverse effects, they believe a topical medication using liposomes to get the agents to the root of the hair inside the follicle may be more desirable. Understanding stem cell biology - Epithelial stem cells are immature cells that are responsible for regenerating and maintaining a variety of tissues, including the hair follicles and the skin. Stem cells in the follicle seem to be spared from injury in male or female pattern baldness, which may explain why the potential for re-growth is always there in folks that are affected by the condition. By investigating the biology of these cells, and their immediate offspring, which seem to be targeted by the immune system, Hair research scientists hope to gain a better understanding of factors that trigger the ailment.
To wrap it up, male or female pattern baldness has millions of suffers around the world - you are not alone if you have the affliction too. Keep in mind that many citizens seriously affect their lives in a negative way by focussing on the disease when perhaps they should be concentrating on their lives instead. Most people that meet you will judge you by your general demeanor, your personality and your attitude - not by how much hair you have on your head. This has been a long dandruff .and. picture article and we hope that you have found it interesting. We would like to thank the website Hair Loss Problems for kindly allowing us to reproduce it. You searched for information with regard to dandruff .and. picture, hair loss, loss of hair, alopecia or baldness. |