Alopecia

Sign/Symptoms
Hair Loss Hair Loss Abnormal (Alopecia)

Drugs
Cyproterone Finasteride Minoxidil

Treatments
Medical Procedure Hair Transplantation Scalp Reduction Hair Multiplication (Cloning Hair Follicles) Low-Level Laser Therapy Alternative Medicine Caffeine Weakly in Favour Low Evidence Ginkgo Biloba No Recommendation Very Low Evidence Green Tea No Recommendation Very Low Evidence He Shou Wu Tea No Recommendation Very Low Evidence TEMPO (nitroxide spin label) Weakly in Favour Low Evidence Saw Palmetto Extract Weakly in Favour Low Evidence Lifestyle Changes Aerobic Exercise No Recommendation Low Evidence Medical Therapy Hair Multiplication (Cloning Hair Follicles) Weakly in Favour Low Evidence Hair Transplantation Weakly in Favour Low Evidence Scalp Reduction Weakly in Favour Low Evidence

Attributes
Commonality is common

Further Tests

Our Records are Incomplete for Further Tests

Alopecia

Alopecia is the loss of hair from the head or any part of the body. It is often of concern to patients largely for cosmetic reasons, but it can be a crucial indicator of an underlying illness.

Causes

Common causes of hair loss include:

· Male- or female-pattern hair loss, due to hormonal and hereditary factors;

· Drugs;

· Illness;

· Stress;

· Aging; and

· Sudden weight loss.

Disease pathway

Hair growth occurs in cycles, which each cycle comprising a growing phase; a transitional phase; and a resting phase. Following the resting face, the hair falls out, and a new cycle begins with a new hair growing in the follicle.

Usually, about 100 hairs on the head will fall out on a daily basis. When the number falling out is in considerable excess of this, hair loss may occur.

Symptoms and diagnosis

Male- and female-pattern hair loss can be diagnosed based on its typical appearance. In other cases, the cause of hair loss is often difficult to identify.

Techniques which may be used to diagnose the cause of alopecia can include:

· Microscopic examination of the hair follicles; and

· Blood tests to identify signs of hormonal abnormalities or other illnesses.

Treatment

The most appropriate course of treatment depends on the source of alopecia. In many patients, drugs have proven to be effective in promoting hair regrowth.

Hair transplantation is another option, wherein hair follicles are literally transplanted from a region of the scalp with higher concentration of hair to a site with less.

Efficacy of Alternative and Other Treatments According to GRADE* Ranking:

Vitamin B Complex [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help in preventing some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. Please note, this acts as a PREVENTATIVE treatment, and not necessarily symptomatic relief. Supplements should only be taken if they contain no more than 100% of the recommended daily value

Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Vitamin B may help in preventing alopecia due to its role in the body's metabolism and skin health)

Grade of Evidence: Moderate quality of evidence

Massage:

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to show that massage is able to treat alopecia)