Normally, up to a hundred hairs fall out in an adult every day. But when a bald spot appears on the head in men, this indicates pathology. There are many reasons for this problem, it is even difficult to guess about the existence of some. That is why you need to conduct a full examination and be treated by specialists.
Causes of alopecia areata
Male pattern baldness (alopecia) can begin at any age. After 45 years, a bald man will not be surprised, because age-related changes occur in his body. Hair loss in earlier years will be a symptom of the disease, as hair indicates a health condition.
One of the varieties is patchy baldness. Hair begins to fall out due to root damage. This shape is often referred to as a nest because of the characteristic shape of bald patches that form quickly, over several weeks.
The causes of alopecia are being investigated. The main mechanisms of the sudden death of many hair follicles on a small area of the head have not been fully identified. The following factors can provoke the appearance of a bald spot on the head in men:
- heredity;
- autoimmune disorders;
- lack of vitamins;
- weak immunity;
- metabolic disease;
- emotional over strain;
- inflammation of the lymph nodes;
- radiation;
- long-term use of certain medications;
- defeat by a fungal infection;
- chronic pathologies of the digestive tract, endocrine system, skin diseases;
- infestation with parasites;
- venereal diseases.
Establishing the cause will allow prescribing more effective treatment and getting a positive result from therapy faster.
Who’s at risk the most
When a clump of hair appears on the comb for various days, and then a bald spot appears on the head, then you need to pay serious attention to your health. First of all, hair and nails begin to signal disorders in the body. This can be with systemic diseases — diabetes mellitus, the formation of neoplasms, hormonal imbalance.
Alopecia areata threatens to appear in people who have suffered a head injury, infectious diseases. Are prone to hair loss of a person with an unbalanced nervous system, low stress resistance. When working in production with toxic substances, chemicals, smoke, the risk of rapid hair loss increases. According to medical statistics, hair loss occurs in brunettes much more often than in blondes.
How often does it occur
Half a century ago, alopecia areata and other types of baldness were rare. This was observed in 15% of men. Currently, hair loss occurs in 30% of the stronger sex. The rapid increase in the number of cases was influenced by an unfavorable environment, a decrease in the quality of nutrition, an increase in the level of stress,
Improving the quality of hair care could have a positive effect on health. Men began to spend more time, effort and money on their own hairstyle. But this did not greatly affect the final result.
Symptoms of alopecia areata
Baldness of this type can start suddenly and develop rapidly. In a short time, hair will fall out in clumps not only on the head, there will be less hair on the eyebrows, beard, in the armpits and on the whole body.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that leads to sudden and rapid hair loss in small areas.
The main symptom is the appearance of round or oval bald spots on the scalp with clearly defined contours. The spot on the spot of the lost hair can grow, merge with others. The skin on them is irritated, has a red tint, flakes, a burning sensation begins. The disease simultaneously damages the nail plate. They become dull, curved, numerous grooves and dents form on their surface.
Diagnostics
Competently conducted examinations allow you to prescribe an effective treatment. It will help reduce hair loss, slow down the development of pathology. Deals with these problems, and prescribes analyzes by a dermatologist or trichologist. For consultation, an endocrinologist, neuropsychologist, and other doctors can be invited to draw up a complete picture of the patient’s health.
For the initial analysis, you need to pull out several affected hairs from the head of a sick person. It won’t hurt him. The strands will crumble by themselves when you touch the tweezers. Under a microscope, a laboratory assistant examines the hair roots, describes their condition. You also need to take a blood test, find out the level of sugar, hormones, the presence of viruses, and conduct a biopsy of the scalp.
Treatment
You should be patient, as it takes a long time to treat alopecia areata in men, hair grows slowly. The main area of therapy is the use of drugs. Physiotherapy procedures are additionally connected. For the general strengthening of the body and for preventive purposes, recipes of traditional medicine are used.
Medication Therapy
With alopecia areata in men, treatment is prescribed by a doctor. An independent decision about taking medications can be harmful, since some drugs have a hormonal basis. Vitamin complexes must be included in the treatment of male pattern baldness. Supplements containing zinc are especially beneficial. It is important to remember that this element is poorly absorbed with phytic acid, which is abundant in cereals, nuts, beans, and potatoes.
Immunomodulators and antihistamines, drugs to accelerate hair growth, help well. The table shows effective medicines for the treatment of alopecia areata in men.
| Name | Description |
| Diprosan | Hormonal drug. Reduces inflammation, has antiallergic effect. Available in ampules for subcutaneous injections into the hair loss area. |
| Beloderm | A hormonal agent in the form of a spray or ointment. |
| Isoprinosine | Immunostimulating agent with antiviral effect. It is produced in the form of tablets. |
| Sandimmun-Neoral | Immunosuppressive agent. Reduces autoimmune processes, as a result, hair stops falling out. |
| Finasteride | A hormonal drug that can only be used for men. Produced in tablets. |
| Celestoderm B | A hormonal agent sold in the form of a cream or ointment. |
The use of minoxidil in the composition of drugs accelerates hair growth.
Physiotherapy
With alopecia areata in men, complex treatment will help to cope with the problem. To accelerate recovery, you need to apply physiotherapy procedures:
- Laser therapy Ultraviolet and infrared rays cleanse the skin of fungal infections.
- Darsonvalization. From the current of high frequency, the hair follicles receive more nutrition and become stronger.
- Galvanization. Weak current discharges increase blood circulation.
- Massage. Improves metabolism, enhances blood circulation in the right places.
- Phonophoresis. Increases the oxygen content in the cells of the epidermis, stimulates the growth of hair follicles, and enhances blood circulation.
- UFO. Irradiation with ultraviolet rays improves the condition of weakened hair roots.
- Mesotherapy. Injections of nutrients into the scalp will provide enhanced nutrition to the weakened areas.
- Electrophoresis. Nutrient injection with current action enhances the benefits.
Special alternative techniques have been developed to restore lost hair in men. It is gluten-free diet… It helps to successfully cope with alopecia areata.
Shows good results’ photochemotherapy… A man takes a photosensitizing drug two hours before the start of the procedure, or it is applied externally within 20 minutes. Next, ultraviolet irradiation is carried out.
An alternative technique is contact immunotherapy… Allergic contact dermatitis is artificially caused on the problem area of the head in a man. The body gives a reaction of irritation, but after a certain time hair begins to grow in this place.
Ethnoscience
Traditional medicine methods are based on the use of natural ingredients, but their use also needs to be discussed with a doctor. Some plants can aggravate allergic reactions on the skin.
Aloe vera juice mask helps to strengthen hair. It is necessary to squeeze a large spoonful of juice from the leaves, mix with chopped clove of garlic and one chicken yolk. Lubricate hair, cover with plastic, towel on top, keep for 20 minutes. Then wash off with warm water and shampoo. You can repeat the procedure every week. The duration of the course is up to 6 months. It helps well in the initial stages of hair loss.
A mustard-based stimulant. Mix burdock or castor oil (30 ml) with a spoonful of dry mustard powder. Stir everything thoroughly, leave for 30 minutes. Rub gently into the scalp. Then tie with plastic and a towel, wash your hair after 15-20 minutes. Do the masks regularly, once every 1-7 days. The duration depends on the degree of hair loss. To obtain a positive result, you need at least 10-12 procedures.
How to prevent relapse
Focal baldness is still poorly understood by modern medicine. With careful treatment, relapses can occur if the patient does not follow the recommendations of doctors, lead an unhealthy lifestyle.
Expert advice:
- undergo regular preventive examinations with a trichologist or dermatologist;
- take multivitamin preparations with zinc;
- eat balanced;
- give up smoking, alcohol abuse;
- avoid stressful situations or react to them correctly;
- take care of your hair regularly;
- in cold, windy, humid weather and in hot sun, wear a hat;
- treat all diseases in a timely manner, without waiting for the transition to the chronic stage.
Baldness is more common in men than in women. They need to be more careful with their own hair.
Alopecia areata can be treated with medications, physiotherapy, and traditional medicine. It is important to correctly identify the cause of hair loss. This will help in the appointment of effective therapy. To prevent baldness, it is useful for everyone to follow the simple rules of prevention.
