Alopecia is a general term for losing hair. It was first used by physicians back in Hippocrates’s time. Alopecia Areata is a typical autoimmune disorder that often leads to unpredictable hair loss.
Interestingly, It came from “alopex,” the Greek word for fox. “Alopecia” was chosen because of fur loss seen in fox mange. “Areata” came from Latin, which translates to Area in modern English.
When we speak about hair loss, We may think about hairs on the head, but there is a rare condition which is called Alopecia Universalis(AU), an advanced version of Alopecia areata.
In this condition, not only hair on the head falls, but hair on other parts of the body are also affected. In this article, we will increase our knowledge about Alopecia Universalis, and also find out about its relation with Demodex mites..
What Causes Alopecia Universalis?
Doctors think some factors may increase the risk of this kind of intense hair loss, like stress. Yet, The exact Alopecia Universalis causes are undiscovered.
This rare condition seems to be an autoimmune condition, Which happens When the body’s immune system attacks its own cells.
In the case of AU, the immune system mistakes hair follicles for an enemy. So as a defence mechanism, the body defense attacks hair follicles which triggers hair loss.
The National Alopecia Areata Foundation announces Alopecia Areata can run in generations. Although, unlike many inherited conditions, both parents must contribute specific genes to pass alopecia areata to their children.
Symptoms
The key sign of Alopecia Universalis is losing hair on your head or different parts of your body. Symptoms may include loss of eyebrows, eyelashes, scalp hair and body hair.
Besides, the hair of your pubic area and inside your nose may fall too. You may have only hair loss symptoms, although some people have itching or a burning feeling in affected areas.
Atopic dermatitis, nail pitting and thyroid disorders are examples of conditions that can sometimes happen along with AU. Anxiety, paranoid disorders, depression, and personality disorders are more frequent in people with different types of alopecia areata.
Lost hair may or may not grow back. People with AU may continue to lose hair, or this can be a temporary condition. It has been approximated that only about 10% of people with Alopecia Universalis experience a full recovery.
Diagnosis of Alopecia Universalis
Symptoms and signs present usually are the main source for diagnosis of Alopecia Universalis.
Sometimes, the doctor requests a scalp biopsy to verify the condition.The scalp biopsy involves removing a sample of skin from your scalp and observing it under a microscope.
For more accuracy, your doctor may also perform blood tests to rule out other conditions that cause hair loss, such as thyroid abnormalities.
Can Alopecia Universalis be Cured?
Many treatments explored but unfortunately, no reliable cure has been found for this rare condition yet. Immunomodulatory agents such as imiquimod may be helpful.
Interestingly, In June 2014, a report showed that a twenty-five-year-old man with almost no hair on his body had regrown a full head of hair, as well as eyelashes, eyebrow, armpit, facial, and other parts hair, following eight months of treatment.
The FDA currently approves no therapy. Still, Some promising treatments include:
- Diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP)
- Steroids
- Squaric acid dibutyl ester (SADBE)
- Cyclosporine in combination with methylprednisolone (a steroid)
- Photodynamic therapy
Alopecia Universalis and Demodex Mites
Despite the fact that there is no significant relationship between AU and Demodex Mites, It has been recommended that a chemical produced by the mites may trigger an inflammatory reaction that affects hair follicles.
Although Demodex mites do not cause different types of Alopecia, including Alopecia Universalis, they may worsen the conditions to cause hair loss.
How Can Ungex Help You Against Alopecia Universalis?
Ungex specialises in unique products and protocols that help you to treat Demodex mites. It may eliminate the signs of Demodex that worsen different types of Alopecia condition including Alopecia Universalis.
References:
Alopecia Universalis: What You Should Know
What you should know about alopecia universalis
What’s to know about alopecia areata?
