Are you experiencing an accelerated rate of hair loss accompanied by widespread scalp thinning? If so, you may have a condition known as diffuse alopecia areata, which causes hair loss.
What is diffuse alopecia areata?
Diffuse alopecia areata is a complicated and poorly understood condition. It is a prevalent autoimmune disorder that affects 2% of the total population (both children and adults).
“Diffuse alopecia areata belongs to the alopecia areata family of hair loss conditions. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune skin disease in which the body mistakenly attacks the skin’s hair follicles,” says Rani Chetty, the founder of Tymeless Necessity Hair.
Although alopecia areata is most often identified by patchy hair loss on the scalp, there are several types of alopecia areata with varying patterns and degrees of hair loss.
Persistent patchy alopecia: This chronic form of alopecia areata is characterised by patchy hair loss that persists or progresses to more severe forms of hair loss.
Alopecia areata incognita: This form of alopecia areata is similar to diffuse alopecia areata in that it causes thinning across the entire scalp, but it typically develops and worsens much more rapidly.
Ophiasis alopecia areata: This type of alopecia areata is distinguished by band-like hair loss on the scalp’s sides and lower back.
Alopecia totalis: This is a severe form of alopecia areata that causes complete baldness of the scalp.
Diffuse alopecia areata: This form of alopecia areata is characterised by widespread hair loss on the scalp. Diffuse alopecia areata can progress to more severe forms of hair loss.
Alopecia universalis: This is a severe form of alopecia areata that results in total body hair loss.
“While some forms of alopecia are more severe than others, they can all be sporadic, difficult to treat, and unpredictable,” Chetty explains. “Diagnosing diffuse alopecia areata, in particular, is exceedingly difficult because it can resemble several different types of hair loss.”
Why does diffuse alopecia areata occur?
Although it is believed that alopecia areata is an autoimmune skin disease, the cause of this family of hair loss conditions is unknown. According to research, the immune system erroneously targets and damages hair follicle melanocytes, dermal papilla cells, and keratinocytes, causing hair loss.
Aside from the immune system, research has revealed a link between the nervous system and genetic factors. It is also believed that diffuse alopecia areata is associated with greater inflammation and a more rapid progression than the more prevalent patchy form.
While it is difficult to assess what triggers alopecia, scientists believe it is a complex polygenic disease. A polygenic disease is one where different cells react to trigger the disease. Scientists have identified several genes that may be responsible for this disease.
How does one identify diffuse alopecia areata?
Consult a physician if you observe an increase in hair loss or if your hair feels thinner than usual. As with all types of hair loss, early recognition and treatment increase the likelihood of hair regrowth and effective management. You can see your primary care doctor, but a dermatologist or trichologist may be able to diagnose your hair loss more accurately.
Because it may resemble telogen effluvium or androgenetic alopecia, the diffuse form of alopecia areata must be correctly identified by an experienced physician, according to Chetty.
“Before conducting a scalp examination, your healthcare provider will review your symptoms and general medical history. Most likely, they will conduct a hair pull test, which entails gently pulling a small section of hair to determine how much hair is extracted. A positive hair pull test indicates the presence of active hair loss. Using a trichoscope, your healthcare provider may also examine your scalp to determine hair fibre growth.”
What treatment is available for diffuse alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata is currently incurable. Still, there are several commonly used treatments. These include corticosteroid injections into the areas of hair loss. Topical hair loss medications may also help, such as minoxidil, topical corticosteroids, and topical or oral immunotherapies.
Some topical treatments, such as dinitrochlorobenzene, function by causing allergic contact dermatitis in the skin of the affected area. These induce an immune response, which stimulates hair follicle regeneration.
The treatment will depend on the severity of the alopecia areata diffuse. After one year of treatment with topical steroids, 21 of 22 female patients with diffuse alopecia areata experienced hair regrowth. This, according to a small study.
How Tymeless Necessity Hair can help you
Covering balding areas with a wig or hair prosthetic is an excellent option. Tymeless Necessity Hair offers a wide variety of one hundred percent human hair wigs. In addition, we offer wefts, closures, bangs, fringes, buns, toupees, topettes, frontals, clip-ins, weaves, braids, buns, extensions, and other hairpieces. Our products cater for people of all ages, cultures, and ethnicities.
No one will be able to tell you’re wearing a hairpiece due to the realism of our products. Tymeless Necessity Hair has grown into a full-service hair and wig boutique. We serves men, women, and children experiencing hair loss as a result of medical conditions.
Our products are sourced sustainably and manufactured ethically, as we are a conscientious company. From the finest available lace front wigs to the finest European and Indian hair, we have something for everyone.
The staff at Tymeless Necessity Hair has a wealth of hair loss knowledge. If you are suffering hair loss, please do not hesitate to contact us and book your first FREE consultation.
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