Glossary On Causes of Alopecia Areata

‘On account of lack of knowledge about its exact cause and mechanism, a lot of odd treatments have existed for alopecia; not to mention that these only cause further damage to the scalp!’

Alopecia areata belongs to the category of diseases classified as auto-immune conditions. These are conditions in which the immune system of the body mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells – in this case the hair follicles - and destroys them. This results in hair being lost from the affected area. This abnormal behavior of the immune system can be triggered by a number of factors such as:

• Testosterone: High levels of the male hormones (which are present in men as well as in women) can trigger the onset of alopecia
• Disorders of thyroid gland
• Anemia
• Low intake of protein
• Drugs and medications:
• Chemotherapy drugs
• Large doses of Vitamin A
• Oral contraceptive pills
• Antimalarials like Chloroquine
• Beta blockers (used for treating hypertension)
• Certain antidepressants
• Anticoagulants
• Chemical treatment of hair
• During recuperation after some major surgery
• Sudden weight loss due to dieting
• SLE (Systemic lupus erythematosus)
• Local fungal infection of the scalp

Besides the aforementioned, emotional stress and genetics also play an important role in alopecia areata. A family history of alopecia areata or any other auto-immune diseases is seen in many cases suggesting a role of genetics in causing this disorder.