Alopecia areata is a form of hair loss in men that is characterized by some prominent spots of non-scarring hair loss on their scalp without having any skin alterations. This condition is in fact a syndrome that is considered very persistent. However, the good news is that the hair development is usually restored after just a few months.
In order to appreciate more about the existence of this type of male hair loss, it is best to look at what causes it. In fact, there are several medical causes behind it. A glimpse at these causes will allow you to seek for the best hair loss treatment for the plight later on. Whether you are a man or a woman who has a loved one with this types of hair loss predicament, this article is for you.
Medical Causes of Alopecia Areata
There are various reasons why men suffer Alopecia areata. The following are a number of the medical reasons for the said type. Beside each cause, you will find out the characteristics of these medical conditions.
Alopecia Areata
- Arsenic Toxicity. The alopecia areata that is due to arsenic poisoning mostly affects the scalp. This is characterized by interconnected symptoms such as fragility of muscles, areflexia, fractional or complete loss of sight, and bronze coloring of the skin.
- Arterial insufficiency. Patchy hair loss can occur if you have this kind of medical condition. Arterial insufficiency can usually affect your lower extremities. This cause is complemented by fine, glossy, atrophic skin and condensed nails.
- Burns. This can result to permanent alopecia especially if it is a third-degree burn which can totally damage both the dermis and epidermis. As a result, the skin becomes transparent, burnt, and ulcerated.
- Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp. This is an upshot of skin contamination. It is illustrated by tiny lumps and ultimately results to breaking and weakening of the skin. This cause can ultimately lead to permanent Alopecia.
- Exfoliative dermatitis. This is deemed as a kind of fleeting illness leading to the scalp’s deficiency in developing hair and the loss of body hair. It is preceded by simplified scaling and erythema.
- Fungal infections. The most familiar fungal infection that affects the scalp is tinea capitis or scalp ringworm. This fungal infection can develop intermittent balding spots, as well as scaling and erythematous lacerations. As the lacerations progress, the middle part is mended but will result to the typical ring-shaped look on the scalp, thus, causing Alopecia areata.
- Hodgkin’s disease. Eternal alopecia may happen as the lymphoma starts to penetrate your scalp.
- Lichen planus. This is a kind of illness that causes irregular hair loss accompanied by skin irritation on your scalp. It may also lead to scarring due to scalp skin atrophy.
- Myotonic dystrophy. This can result to untimely baldness due to its failure to calm the muscle.
- Protein Insufficiency. This can develop into fragile, thin and dry hair. Therefore, resulting to thinning of hair. Sometimes it can also alter the color of the hair.
- Sarcoidosis. This kind of medical condition can develop a scarring hair loss, especially if it has already penetrated the scalp.
- Seborrheic dermatitis. This condition has the capacity to result in hair loss. At first, alopecia will start at the highest area and front parts which will later on extend to the other parts of the scalp.
- Skin metastasis. Sporadically, if the cancer is affecting your internal organs like the lung, the metastasis of the skin can result to scarring alopecia. This can progress gradually down to scalp indurations and atrophy.
- Secondary syphilis. This kind of sexually transmitted disease can produce temporary patchy hair loss characterized by a moth-eaten look on the scalp and beard. It can also result to loss of eyelashes and eyebrows.
Knowing these causes of Alopecia areata will help you treat the condition. Do not forget that if you are unsure of the real cause of the hair loss, it is still best to consult a specialist. As what was mentioned earlier, this type of hair loss is generally temporary. But while this is the case, there is no reason for you to neglect it. Learn about the condition now before it is too late to get a cure to the situation.
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