Alopecia Types, Reasons, and Relations to Demodex Mites
Alopecia is a condition in which the affected person loses all or part of their hair on the head, face, or body. The issue is also known as baldness and can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
- Stress
- Childbirth
- Iron-deficiency
- Radiotherapy
- Hormonal disorders
- Lifestyle changes
- Some medications
- Restrictive dieting
The following article will examine the types of alopecia and the role Demodex mites play in triggering and exacerbating it.
Types of Alopecia
There are different types of alopecia classified based on criteria such as the areas involved, causes, the growth stage of the hair cycle, and other characteristics. Here, we introduce some common types of hair loss:
Anagen Effluvium
This is a rapidly occurring hair loss, which is usually the result of medical procedures such as chemotherapy. This hair shedding arises by the cessation of the hair production cycle at the anagen stage of growth. It usually starts 7 to 15 days after the start of chemotherapy and leads to complete baldness in two months. Anagen Effluvium can affect all parts of the body but is usually confined to the scalp. However, hair usually grows back on its own after chemotherapy ends.
In addition to chemotherapy, we should note that any factor that affects hair strands during the growth phase, including protein malnutrition, radiation therapy, and intoxications with mercury, thallium, colchicine, can lead to Anagen Effluvium.
Telogen Effluvium
This type of hair loss usually occurs a few months after stress or physical/psychological trauma. In this scenario, hair enters the resting phase (Telogen) without maturing, which leads to increased hair loss in the next two to three months. The hair growth phase (Anagen) may also be prolonged, resulting in telogen hair falling out without replacement. Lost hair usually grows back after six months. However, sometimes dermatologists prescribe medications to speed up the regrowth process.
In some people, due to idiopathic reasons, Telogen Effluvium lasts for more than six months but usually does not lead to complete baldness. Some of the reasons for this type of hair loss are as follows:
- Drugs: oral contraceptive pills, androgens, retinoids, beta-blockers, ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and anticoagulants (heparin)
- Physiological stress: surgical trauma, high fever, chronic systemic illness, Childbirth, and hemorrhage
- Emotional Stress
- Medical Conditions: Both hyper- and hypothyroidism, systemic amyloidosis, hepatic failure, chronic renal failure, inflammatory bowel disease, and lymphoproliferative disorders, dermatomyositis, HIV, syphilis, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis can also lead to diffuse telogen hair loss.
- Dietary Triggers: Severe protein, fatty acid, and zinc deficiency, chronic starvation, and caloric restriction. Decreased body iron stores, Vitamin D, and biotin deficiency.
- Ultraviolet Light: Excessive UV rays in the summer can lead to hair loss in the fall.
Androgenic Hair Loss
Male hormones are the primary reason for hereditary or androgenic hair loss. This type of alopecia leads to complete baldness in many men. However, the hairline usually doesn't recede in women, but the strands fall out and become thinner.
Hereditary hair loss has a well-known pattern. It usually starts from the temples; the hairline gradually recedes, which eventually leaves a hair ring along the scalp's bottom.
Alopecia Areata
It is an autoimmune complication that affects the hair of the scalp and sometimes other parts like the eyebrows and eyelashes. In this complication, the immune system mistakenly assumes that the hair follicles are foreigners and attacks them. Hair usually falls out regionally in patches. Alopecia Areata can lead to alopecia totalis, in which all scalp hair falls out. Alopecia Areata can affect people of all ages.
In addition to the varieties described, there are other types of hair loss that we will only mention their names here:
- Tinea Capitis (scalp ringworm)
- Cicatricial Alopecia (scarring alopecia)
- Lichen Planopilaris
- Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
- Folliculitis Decalvans
- Dissecting Cellulitis of the Scalp
- Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia
- Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia
Scientific research shows that the proliferation of some skin parasites named Demodex has an active role in causing or exacerbating different kinds of alopecia. In fact, people with high concentrations of Demodex may undergo complications such as hair loss. In the following sections, we investigate the relationship between alopecia and Demodex mites.
What Is Demodex?
Demodex is a particular type of skin mite that resembles worms. It is extremely tiny, and you can see it just under the lens. Demodex comes in many forms. To date, two species have been discovered in human skin, called Demodex brevis and Demodex folliculorum. These mites find hair follicles and sebaceous glands suitable sites for feeding, reproducing, and shading from threatening agents.
Since the low density of these parasites is not accompanied by any signs or symptoms, you will notice their presence only when their population has sharply increased. In this case, you are likely to develop multiple skin and hair complications. People with a high density of Demodex usually have one or more of the following symptoms, or if they already have, their symptoms get worse:
- Acne
- Rosacea
- Blepharitis
- Hair loss
- Dandruff
- Itchy skin and so on
The Relationship between Demodex and Alopecia
As mentioned, these parasites live in the skin pores, through which hair grows and reaches the surface. So it makes sense that they influence hair growth and its related complications.
Demodex parasites can affect hair loss with the following mechanisms:
- They consume oils, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients required by the hair. Starved strands become weak and are prone to falling out.
- In large numbers, Demodex mites can physically loosen the hair roots and set the stage for hair loss.
- Many hair loss types are associated with inflammation. Inflammatory substances secreted from the body of Demodex can trigger or aggravate these complications.
- The Demodex mites bodies are full of bacteria, fungi, and other pathogenic microorganisms. When these parasites die, they rot, and the toxic substances inside them spill out on the skin, triggering and intensifying hair loss.
Of course, it is notable that Demodex is not usually the leading cause of hair loss, but it can exacerbate this condition or cause it to occur. In this situation, it will be challenging and even impossible to get rid of hair loss without eliminating these mites.
Among the alopecia types, the relationship between Demodex and androgenic hair loss has been well studied.
Androgenic Alopecia and Demodex Mites
Several factors are involved in generating Androgenic Alopecia, one of which is the Demodex parasites. In cases where hereditary hair falling does not respond to standard treatments such as minoxidil and finasteride, infection with these parasites is probable. The role of Demodex in intensifying and resisting this type of hair loss is as follows:
Inflammatory Activator
Inflammation is one of the agents involved in this kind of alopecia. This inflammation appears to be limited to the sebaceous glands, follicles, and surrounding areas. Demodex can secrete inflammatory agents. By inducing inflammation, these substances clear the ground for Androgenic Alopecia. On the other hand, Demodex contains a type of lipase that produces inflammatory fatty acids and promotes these conditions by breaking down some kinds of oils.
Changes in Local Hormone Metabolism
The inflammatory substances originating from Demodex can alter the metabolism of the local hormones. As mentioned, androgenetic alopecia is an inherited problem related to male hormones. Demodex can intensify this type of hair loss by altering the metabolism of these hormones on the scalp and follicles.
Vicious Circle
Male hormones can stimulate the sebaceous glands and increase their size. Expanded sebaceous glands can produce more sebum, the leading food of Demodex mites. The mites take advantage of this extra oil and increase their population. More Demodex can release more inflammatory substances. They can also alter the local metabolism of hormones more rapidly. All of this creates a vicious cycle that exacerbates androgenic alopecia, followed by the regrowth of Demodex.
Exhaustion of the Hair Bulb and Shifting of Hair Cycle From Anagen to Telogen
Demodex mainly lives inside the follicles and sebaceous glands. When their populations become very large, up to 25 Demodex can live in a single follicle. They are not fixed in their place and are constantly rolling and moving inside the follicle. Their activities damage the hair follicle after a while and cause the hair cycle to change from anagen to telogen and hair loss to increase.
Ungex, a New Solution to the Demodex Problem
In the case you carry a large population of Demodex mites, getting rid of skin and hair issues may be challenging or even unsuccessful. These mites are one of the factors that make hair loss resistant to treatments..
Ungex is one of the leading companies in the field of producing anti-Demodex products. We can effectively remove Demodex parasites and help treat the complications connected with them, including alopecia.
Ungex Products
Ungex products are based on natural and herbal ingredients. Although these compounds destroy Demodex properly, they do not harm your skin. They work without any side effects and effectively eliminate the symptoms of these parasites.
One of the unique features of Ungex products is that they can eliminate Demodex on the surface as well as on the skin. When removed from the skin, these parasites can survive for hours or even days outside the body. For example, when you comb your hair or dry your face with a towel, Demodex is transferred to these surfaces. They can return to your skin by direct contact and aggravate your skin issues. When you use an infected comb again, you give the mites on the comb a new chance to resume their life on your skin and survive for a longer time.
To address this problem, you can spray a small amount of PDT on infected surfaces to remove its parasites.
In addition to eliminating Demodex, Ungex products provide the nutrients that your skin and hair need. They help you to reclaim your fresh and beautiful hair and complexion.
Ungex Protocol
Ungex Anti-Demodex treatment is not limited to offering products. We provide a comprehensive guide as a step-by-step protocol. This guide is based on a careful study of the mites' life and will help you identify their vulnerabilities to eliminate them in the shortest time possible.
For example, investigating Demodex life has revealed that the mites climb up to the surface at night. Thus, it is necessary to use Ungex products at night to destroy more parasites every time.
On the other hand, the Ungex guideline includes strategies for enhancing the immune system. As mentioned, weak immunity is a key to the growth and proliferation of Demodex mites. If you boost your natural defence, these parasites cannot overgrow and conquer your skin.
Ungex Advisers
Following the purchase of the products, one of the Ungex consultants will reach out to give you free advice. This consultation lasts throughout the treatment (3 to 4 months) to help you learn all the necessary tips to fight Demodex. Our consultants will teach you the Ungex protocol and help you get the most out of the products you have bought.
Ungex Online Test
If you suffer from persistent hair loss, you need to estimate the population of your Demodex before going through any procedure. Although Demodex mites are tiny enough to be considered microscopic, there are still enough approaches to count and estimate their population. The Demodex online diagnostic test is one of the most efficient and reliable ones. Ungex Company exclusively provides this quiz, and we are also subject to its interpretation. This test includes a number of multiple-choice questions that examine the signs of Demodex infection and the opportunities your lifestyle has provided for them to grow.
Demodex usually increases with age. On the other hand, the food you consume, a sedentary lifestyle, and attitudes that weaken the immune system effectively increase their population. All of these factors are considered in the microscopic test results.
As mentioned earlier in this article, these tiny parasites are involved in other skin problems in addition to hair loss. So if you suffer from several skin problems simultaneously, you are more likely to carry a significant population of them. Click on this link to take part in this test.
References:
4 Causes of Alopecia That You Probably Didn’t Know
Telogen Effluvium: A Review of the Literature
Human Demodex Mite: The Versatile Mite of Dermatological Importance