Helping Jacksonville Treat Hair Loss and Alopecia
Hair loss is a widespread issue that can be an emotionally challenging experience for both men and women, often leading to feelings of stress and insecurity. Those who encounter premature hair thinning or loss may be dealing with alopecia areata, a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles. While alopecia itself is not contagious, it can sometimes indicate underlying health issues that require attention.
You don’t have to navigate the complexities of alopecia on your own. At Coastal Dermatology, Sanjiva Goyal, MD and our dedicated team are equipped with the proven expertise to diagnose and provide effective solutions for the conditions that disrupt the natural hair growth cycle, helping you reclaim your confidence and promote healthier hair.
Treating All Conditions of the Hair, Skin, and Nails
Get the answers to your dermatology and hair loss questions by reaching out to our team today and booking a consultation.
Getting to the Root of the Problem: What Causes Alopecia?
Alopecia, or hair loss, can manifest in various ways, affecting only the scalp or even the entire body, and it may be temporary or permanent. The causes are diverse, ranging from heredity and hormonal changes to medical conditions and the natural aging process. Some people experience severe alopecia due to habits or circumstances—stress can cause people to pull on their own hair or cause the hair to spontaneously fall out.
While anyone can experience hair loss, it is more prevalent in men, often referred to respectively as male and female hair loss. Importantly, while alopecia areata is classified as an autoimmune disease, not all types of hair loss are linked to atypical immune responses.
What Are the Symptoms of Alopecia Areata?
Diagnosing alopecia areata primarily relies on evaluating the individual’s hair loss history and accompanying symptoms. Hair loss can manifest in various forms depending on the specific type of alopecia areata one is experiencing. It can affect any area of the body that contains hair, making it crucial for clinicians to assess all potential regions during diagnosis. Some primary indicators include:
Empowering Yourself with Solutions: How is Alopecia Treated?
Alopecia areata presents a unique challenge due to its unpredictable and cyclical nature of hair loss and regrowth, with some individuals experiencing regrowth that lasts without subsequent loss. While there is currently no definitive cure for the condition, the hair follicles remain viable, meaning hair regrowth is still possible, even after extended periods of significant hair loss.
Various treatment options exist to encourage hair growth, albeit temporarily, and may include oral medications, supplements, and topical therapies, which are often effective across different types of alopecia. Additionally, certain types may require lifestyle or behavioral adjustments to help reverse the hair loss.
The most suitable treatment plan will ultimately depend on your specific skin type and the nature of your hair loss. To explore personalized strategies for preserving or restoring your hair, reach out to our dermatology team today.
Jacksonville’s Top Questions About Alopecia
Women’s alopecia, or female pattern hair loss, is identified as the most prevalent form of hair loss among women. This condition often begins to manifest after puberty, with many women noticing changes in their hair density during their 40s or 50s.
Female hair loss can also develop later in life, as it is frequently inherited. Characterized by thinning hair primarily at the crown and front of the scalp, this condition impacts about one-third of women who are genetically predisposed. If you’re experiencing symptoms of women’s alopecia, reach out to Coastal Dermatology to discuss diagnosis and explore effective treatment options.
Alopecia can occur on any part of the body with hair follicles. It tends to be primarily noticeable on the scalp or in the beard area of the face. This loss may be temporary or more permanent, but in any case, it can directly affect a person’s sense of self and their personal esteem.
There are several types of alopecia areata, each presenting different patterns of hair loss. The most common form starts as patchy bald spots, which can evolve into more extensive types like alopecia totalis, resulting in complete scalp hair loss, or alopecia universalis, causing hair loss across the whole body, including eyebrows and eyelashes.
Other forms, such as diffuse alopecia areata, lead to sudden thinning of hair all over the scalp and may resemble other conditions like telogen effluvium or pattern hair loss. Another variant, ophiasis alopecia, causes hair loss in a band along the sides and back of the head.
Discover Better Ways to Treat Hair Loss
Explore hair preservation and restoration solutions by reaching out to the Coastal Dermatology team to discuss alopecia and associated conditions.