Symptoms of Alopecia Areata?
Identifying alopecia symptoms is a major task in itself. Many Alopecia patient often get confused with the symptoms due to other similar conditions that tend to show very similar physical changes on the scalp or other parts of the body. Most of the time a proper diagnostics test is advisable before any treatment is administered. This test is almost vital since the actual problem can be classified as Alopecia Areata after a proper test to measure the Lymphocites at the affected area has been carried out. It is difficult to judge by bare eye as similar conditions show identical appearance on the affected area.
Many observant alopecia areata patients reported as seeing drastic hair loss few days before they noticed the bald spot or patch. This observation is apllies mainly to those who are concerned about their hair. A common characteristic in this group is observing their pillows after waking up in the morning. This habit is inbuilt in patient who already are facing hair loss problems. They are more likely to notice the sudden surge in the number of hair that has been lost overnight. Their pillows, normally bright coloured, will be filled with hair that the difference will be very obvious with even bare eyes. Upon closer inspection of their scalp, one or more bald spot or patch will be found.
Following an inspection by someone close, they would normally consult a doctor to get a opinion of what it could be. Here a proper test has to be conduct with a proper test and finally a treatment will be prescribed. Currently most common prescriptions will minoxidil, topical steroids or PUVA which are not specifically designed for Alopecia Areata. As a result the treatment shows little or no effects at all. Sometimes improvements can be temporary as the new grown hair is lost immediately after discontinuing the treatment.
It is very important that a person that has Alopecia symptoms immediately confirm the medical disorder. It could avoid wastage of valuable resources especially time and effort. Most importantly avoid the disappointment that could leave them with the disease forever.
Some these similar conditions are listed below:-
- Tinea Capitis
- Androgenetic Alopecia
- Traction Alopecia
- Scarring Alopecia
- Seasonal Flank Alopecia
- Disfunctional Erectil Alopecia
- Diffuse Alopecia
- Cicatrical Alopecia
Further Reading
Different Types of Alopecia Areata What the different variants of Alopecia Areata? How does it vary? Find out which type of Alopecia Areata you are looking for and fid out how best to manage your treatment.
Causes Of Alopecia Areata Most important question that remains a mystery in Alopecia Areata is the cause. Learn what some of the latest findings has shown together with microscopic images of the affected follicle.
Available Treatments That Are Effective Get to know which of the treatments has shown best results. More importantly learn more about various side effects caused by the treatments and how to minimise it.