Alopecia Specialist

What are the symptoms of alopecia?

Alopecia, medically known as alopecia areata, causes your hair to fall out in large patches, leaving completely bare skin behind. Though alopecia most commonly affects your scalp, the condition can certainly lead to hair loss on other areas of your body, too. Common signs and symptoms of alopecia include:

• Development of short hairs on the edges of bald spots that get narrower at the base
• Nail problems, including pitting, lines, splitting, or white spots
• Clumps of hair left on your pillow or in the shower
• White hair growth in affected areas
  
  

When alopecia begins, hair tends to fall out in round, coin-sized patches. Because alopecia can progress and make you feel self-conscious, it’s important to seek treatment early on if any of these symptoms sound familiar.

Why does alopecia occur?

Alopecia is a type of autoimmune disease that occurs when your body’s immune system starts attacking hair follicles, because of faulty signals that make your immune system think those follicles are harmful.

Though alopecia can develop at any age, in most cases, it tends to start in childhood. It’s quite common for alopecia to run in families. Your risk of struggling with alopecia can also be linked to other autoimmune disorders, such as atopy, in which you’re hyperallergic to certain substances.

How is alopecia treated?

Even though no cure exists for alopecia, the expert dermatologists at Seacoast Dermatology, are committed to helping you find a solution to stimulate hair growth and help restore your head of hair as much as possible. Depending on the severity of your alopecia, your treatment plan may include any of the following remedies:

• High SPF sunscreen
• Topical or oral corticosteroids
• Immune system-suppressing drugs
• Topical solutions to stimulate hair growth, like minoxidil
  
  

It’s common to combine two or more alopecia treatments or medications to achieve optimal results. Since it takes time for new hair to grow, it’s recommended to come into Seacoast Dermatology, at the first sign of hair loss.

Book your alopecia evaluation at Seacoast Dermatology, and get the relief you need. You can conveniently book an alopecia exam online or over the phone with your nearest office.