What Causes Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia Areata is a condition that cannot be anticipated anyhow, but luckily there are some know causes that may be avoided, like hair falling because of the hair styles. This condition affects mainly African-American women and it is called traction alopecia. In the cases when the condition is not severe, simple change of hair style can help - replacing tight braids and ponytails, trying out some other ways of styling hair may be helpful. If this happens repeatedly it can cause scarring and root damage that will prevent hair from growing back.

This type of alopecia can also occur because of the use of chemical treatments such as hair dyes, bleaches and even hair straighteners, so the hair becomes weak and can fall out with brushing and combing. It is important to consult a doctor to confirm the diagnosis. Also, women that use false eye lashes extensively have been known to suffer since their natural eyelashes die off.

There is also cicatricial alopecia , beside traction alopecia. It is a group of related disorders in which inflammation destroys the hair follicles and replaces them with scar tissue. It is also known by the name scarring alopecia. This cause of permanent hair loss is often seen in skin conditions such as discoid lupus erythematosus and lichen planus.

Disorder when a person has a strong urge to pull out hair and even sometimes eat it is called trichotillomania. The good news is that it can be treated if it’s detected early. It is important not to disregard it, because hair loss is a consequence, while the cause may be some stressful event or trauma. Patchy bald spots on the head are a possibility.

Eating disorders, fever, childbirth, chronic illness, major surgery, anemia, severe emotional disorders, crash diets, emotional scarring due to erectile dysfunction, fishwives, trichotillomania, hypothyroidism, and drugs can be the reason for the telogen effluvium . It is a scalp disorder characterized by the thinning or shedding of hair resulting from the early entry of hair in the resting phase of the hair follicle, which can be triggered by emotional or physiological stress.

One thing that is in common for all these conditions is that the earlier you detect it, hair loss treatments will be more effective. The more time passes, more difficult it is going to be to stop it. There are medications that can be taken to help restore hair. Consultation with your doctor after first signs of hair loss is crucial for treating the condition. Changes in your nutrition can be of great help, so you should consume food that contains grains, beans, nuts and seeds; the one rich with calcium, such as tofu, soy products, nuts, nut milks, soymilk and certain leafy greens; healthy fats like olive oil, canola oil, walnuts, flax seed and hemp seed; omega-3 fatty acids, found in herring, mackerel, trout, sardines, tuna and salmon; fresh fruits and vegetables, rich in vitamins B, A, C, E and antioxidants, since they are vital for increasing circulation and oxygenation of the blood.