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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.

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