HAIR DISAPPEARING IN PATCHES
Hair disappearing in
patches. This is Dr. Steven Andrew
Davis, Speaking of Health. Within
medicine’s sometimes misnomered nomenclature is a skin condition
that’s exactly what it’s called:
alopecia areata; areas of baldness. This is not slow-moving thinning that affects
both men and women over time. This is
loss of discrete patches of hair revealing scalp skin classically described as
“smooth as a baby’s bottom.”
And this is not a
condition to be taken lightly. According
to the
Making matters
worse, no specific cause or cure for alopecia areata is known, but, in many
cases, the hair grows back by itself within a year. When it doesn’t grow back spontaneously
dermatologists can inject small amounts of corticosteroids directly into the
bald spots, try other drugs such as anthralin or minoxidil, or even create
allergic rashes that can stimulate hair regrowth, a concept known as topical
immunotherapy.
Those suffering from
alopecia areata that does not grow back can look to their dermatologist, the
National Alopecia Areata Foundation, or contact the
Ref: Hair disorders: Dermatologists identify the top 3 causes of
tress distress. American
E-Mail
drdavis@davishealth.com
Dr. Steve Davis
7810 Louis Pasteur #200
210/614-3355
