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Pattern Baldness
Fact:
Baldness is not only a human trait. Some other primates, such as chimpanzees, stump-tailed macaques, and South American nakari show progressive thinning of the hair on the scalp after adolescence.
How to cure dandruff
What Is alopecia areata? 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, how to cure dandruff. This can lead to baldness on the scalp and elsewhere. In most cases, hair falls out in small, round patches about two centimeters square. In many situations, the condition does not extend beyond a few bare patches. In some individuals, hair loss is more extensive. Although uncommon, how to cure dandruff, the affliction can go on to to instigates 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 pattern baldness, immune system cells known as white blood cells attack the rapidly growing cells in the hair follicles that make the hair. The affected hair follicles become tiny and drastically slow down hair production. Fortunately, the stem cells that continually supply the follicle with new cells do not seem to be targeted. And so the follicle always has the potential to regrow hair - how to cure dandruff. Scientists do not know precisely why the hair follicles undergo these changes, how to cure dandruff but they are fairly sure that a combination of genes may predispose some folks to the disease. In those who are genetically predisposed, some type of trigger - perhaps a virus or something in the person's environment - brings on the assault against the hair follicles. Who Is Most Likely To Get It? pattern baldness affects about four million Americans of both sexes and of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. It often starts in childhood how to cure dandruff. If you happen to have a close family member with the ailment, your risk of developing it is slightly increased. If your relation lost his or her initial patch of hair before age thirty, the risk to other relatives is greater. Generally speaking, one in five people that have the condition have a relation who has it also. Is My alopecia areata a Symptom of a Serious Disease? male or female pattern baldness is not a life-threatening affliction and neither is how to cure dandruff. It does not cause any physical pain, and persons that are affected by the ailment are generally healthy otherwise. For most people however, a ailment that unpredictably seriously affects their appearance the way pattern baldness does is a serious matter. The effects of male or female pattern baldness are primarily socially and pschologically disturbing. In alopecia universalis, however, loss of eyelashes and eyebrows and hair in the nose and ears can make the person more susceptible to dust, germs, and foreign particles entering the nose, eyes, and ears. alopecia areata often occurs in citizens whose relatives have other autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, pernicious anemia, diabetes, Addison's disease, rheumatoid arthritis or thyroid disease or even how to cure dandruff. People who have male or female pattern baldness do not customarily have other autoimmune conditions, but they do tend to have a higher occurrence of thyroid disease, asthma, nasal allergies and atopic eczema, how to cure dandruff. Can I Pass It on to My Children? It is possible, but not likely, for alopecia areata to be inherited. Most children with pattern baldness do not have a mom or dad with the disease, and the vast majority of parents with alopecia areata do not pass it along to their children. pattern baldness is not like some genetic ailments in which a child has a fifty fifty chance of developing the affliction if one parent has it. Researchers into hair disease believe that there may be a number of genes that predispose certain individuals to the condition. It is highly unlikely that a child would inherit all of the genes necessary to predispose him or her to the affliction. Even with the right (or wrong) combination of genes, male or female 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 disease. To learn more with regard to the genes and other factors involved in male or female pattern baldness risk, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is funding an pattern baldness registry how to cure dandruff. The registry is a controlled network of five centers throughout the United States that will identify and register patients that are afflicted with the condition and collect data and blood samples (which contain genes). Data, including genetic information, will be made available to researchers investigating 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 a great chance that your hair will grow back again, but it could also fall out again however. It is impossible to predict whether it could fall out or regrow. The course of the condition varies from person to person. Some persons lose just a few patches of hair, how to cure dandruff after which the hair grows again and the disease never comes back. Other people continue to lose and regrow hair for many years. A few lose all the hair on their head; some lose all the hair on their head, face and body. Even for those people who lose all their hair, the possibility for full re-growth remains. In some, the initial hair regrowth 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 alopecia areata is highly unpredictable, and the uncertainty of what will happen next is probably the most difficult and frustrating symptom of the disease. You may continue to lose hair, or your loss of hair may stop, how to cure dandruff. 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 male or female pattern baldness nor drugs approved for its treatment], some folks find that medicines approved for other purposes like alopecia areata can help hair grow back, how to cure dandruff at least in the short term. The following are some treatments for male or female pattern baldness. Keep in mind that while these methods of treatment may promote hair growth, none of them prevent new patches or in fact cure the underlying affliction. Consult your health care professional with reference to the best choice for you. Corticosteroids - Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs, how to cure dandruff, 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 how to cure dandruff. Corticosteroids may be applied in three ways for 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 citizens. It commonly takes about 1 month for new hair growth to become visible. Injections deliver small amounts of cortisone to problem 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 tiny indentations in the skin that go away when innoculations are halted. Because injections can be painful, they may not be the preferred treatment for children. After 4 to 8 weeks, new hair growth habitually becomes visible, and the innoculations normally have to be repeated monthly. The cortisone takes out the confused immune cells and allows the hair to grow. Large areas cannot be treated, however, because the discomfort and the quantity 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 alopecia areata. But because of the risk of side effects of oral corticosteroids, such as hypertension, how to cure dandruff and cataracts, they are used only occasionally for 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 injections and, therefore, are sometimes preferred for children. However, corticosteroid ointments and creams alone are less effective than innoculations; they work best when combined with other topical treatments, such as minoxidil or anthralin.
Minoxidil (5%) (Rogaine) - Topical minoxidil tincture promotes hair growth in several conditions in which the hair follicle is small and not growing to its full potential. Minoxidil is FDA-approved for treating male and female pattern alopecia. It may also be useful in promoting hair growth in male or female pattern baldness. The solution, 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 constant and proper use of the mixture, new hair growth occurs in with reference to 3 months. 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 worthwhile. Anthralin (Psoriatec) - Anthralin, a man-made tar-like substance that changes 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 1 to 3 hours ("short contact therapy") to help avoid skin irritation, how to cure dandruff which is not required for the drug to work. When it works, new hair growth is typically evident in 8 to 12 weeks. Anthralin is often used in combination with other methods of treatment, such as corticosteroid injections 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 usually 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 people's immune systems from rejecting transplanted organs, oral cyclosporine is occasionally 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 pattern baldness, it does not turn the ailment off. Most family doctors feel the dangers of the drug outweigh its benefits for male or female pattern baldness and how to cure dandruff. 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, an estimated 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 to three times per week. Furthermore, the treatment bears the risk of developing skin cancer. Alternative therapies - When drug methods of treatment fail to bring enough hair regrowth, some individuals turn to alternative therapies - how to cure dandruff. Alternatives purported to help alopecia areata include Chinese herbs, acupuncture, evening primrose oil, aroma therapy, and zinc and vitamin supplements. Because many other types of therapies are not backed by clinical trials, they may or may not be effective for regrowing hair. In fact, some may actually make loss of hair 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 treatments with your family doctor prior to employing them.
In addition to treatments to help hair grow, there are measures that can be taken to minimize the physical dangers or downsides of lost hair. Sunscreens are important for the scalp, face, and all areas of the body that are exposed. Spectacles (or sunglasses) protect the eyes from excessive ultra violet light, and from dust and debris, when eyebrows or eyelashes are missing. False hairpieces, caps, or scarves protect the scalp from sunlight and keep the head warm. Antibiotic ointment applied inside the nostrils helps 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, teenagers and young adults who are starting to form lifelong goals and who may live with the effects of pattern baldness for many years, how to cure dandruff. It is a comfort to know male or female pattern baldness is not a painful affliction and does not make folks feel sick physically. It is not contagious, and citizens who have the pattern baldness condition are generally in good health 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 emotional effects of living with baldness, however, can be challenging. Many people cope by learning as much as they can about the disease; speaking with others who are facing the same difficulties; and, if necessary, looking for counseling to help construct a positive self-image. To address quality-of-life issues for how to cure dandruff, alopecia areata and all other skin ailments, the NIAMS sponsored a scientific meeting in September 2002 on the burden of skin ailments. How Can I Deal With With the Effects of This Disease? Living with alopecia can be hard, especially in a culture that sees hair as a sign of youthfulness and good health. Even so, most individuals with alopecia areata are well-adjusted, contented folks living full lives. The key to coping is valuing yourself for who you are, not for the amount of hair you may or may not have. Many citizens learning to deal with pattern baldness find it helpful to talk with other persons who are dealing with the same problems. Over four million folks nationwide 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 condition, 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 across the country. Another way to cope with the disease is to lessen its effects on your appearance. If you are unfortunate enough to have total hair loss, a wig or hairpiece can look natural and contemporary. For tiny patches of baldness, a hair-colored crayon, cream or powder applied to the scalp can make alopecia less obvious by covering up the contrast between the hair and the scalp. Skilfully applied how to cure dandruff 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 included with how to cure dandruff. For females, attractive scarves can hide patchy hair loss; jewelry and clothing can distract attention from patchy hair; and proper makeup can hide the effects of lost facial hair. If you would like to learn more with reference to covering up the cosmetic effects of how to cure dandruff alopecia areata, ask your family physician or members of your local support group to recommend a cosmetic professional who specializes in working with people whose appearance is problem 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 affliction. This increased understanding will likely lead the way to better methods of treatment for pattern baldness and finally a way to prevent or even cure it. Alopecia research ranges from the most basic studies of the mechanisms of hair growth and loss of hair in mice to testing medications and ways to apply drugs to help regrow hair in citizens. Both the National Institutes of Health and the National male or female pattern baldness Foundation support research into the how to cure dandruff pattern baldness disease 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 condition similar to human alopecia areata, hair research scientists hope to learn more about the mechanism of the affliction and eventually develop immune system treatments for the disease in persons. Mapping genes - Hair research scientists are studying the possible genetic causes and mechanism of the condition both in families that have one or more persons with the ]disease] and in the general population. An understanding of the genetics of the ailment will aid in disease prevention, early intervention, and development of specific therapies. Studying hair follicle development - By investigating 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 how to cure dandruff 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 treatments for other autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus may also benefit patients with how to cure dandruff pattern baldness. Finding better ways to give out drugs - One limitation of current topical therapies is getting the drug to the source of the symptoms, how to cure dandruff. Researchers are looking for a compound that penetrates the fat 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 do the same for individuals. Understanding cytokines - Chemical messengers called cytokines (how to cure dandruff) play a role in regulating the body's immune response, whether it is the standard 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 suppressing cytokines, it may be possible to slow down or stop the body's abnormal response to the hair follicles. Because giving the cytokines (how to cure dandruff) systemically may instigates unwanted effects, they believe a topical medication using liposomes to get the agents to the root of the hair inside the follicle may be better. Understanding stem cell biology - Epithelial stem cells are immature cells that are responsible for regenerating and maintaining a variety of tissues, including the skin and the hair follicles. 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 individuals with the disease. By studying 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.
In conclusion, pattern baldness has millions of suffers worldwide - you are not alone if you also suffer from it. Remember that many persons adversely affect their lives in a negative way by focussing on the condition when perhaps they should be concentrating on their lives instead. Almost all of the people that you come across will judge you by your general demeanor, your attitude and your personality - not by the amount of hair you have on your head. This has been a long how to cure dandruff article and we hope that it has been of use to you. We would like to thank the website Hair Loss Problems for kindly allowing us to reproduce it. You searched for information in respect of how to cure dandruff, hair loss, loss of hair, alopecia or baldness. |