Diet for Reversing Alopecia Areata

Hair loss may occur due to various reasons and it is an unpredictable condition. There is always the chance that complete regrowth will occur, but no way to know for sure. It is important to remember that underneath the bald patches lays a deeper problem that caused the bald patches in the first place. Keeping the immune system calm and balanced can help inhibit the severity and progression of the disease. This can be accomplished more through change in diet than in any other way.
A strong connection between gluten intolerance and alopecia areata has been noticed. Testing positive for gluten intolerance would require eliminating all gluten. Gluten intolerance creates nutritional deficiencies if gluten consumption is continued. Reducing or eliminating gluten will naturally decrease inflammation in the diet as long as other unhealthy inflammatory gluten-free snacks are not being substituted.

You should avoid processed foods, toxins, additives and pesticides. This is especially important for those with alopecia areata as any foreign substance can provoke an autoimmune response. Hair loss can be caused by lack of vitamins, but extreme dieting can do more harm to your health and also lead to hair loss. In order to function properly, human body needs all kinds of nutrients and different types of food. If the diet includes laxatives, your body might lose more nutrients than it's normal. The best thing you can do for your body is to keep a balanced diet and to exercise regularly.

You may experience hair loss, if your diet does not include enough necessary vitamins. Foods you should consume if you want your hair to grow back again or to prevent hair loss are: vegetables - while all vegetables will provide your hair with additional vitamins, the ones that offer the most benefits are those of the green leafy variety, including spinach, cabbage, etc; lean, healthy meats like chicken, nuts, fish, and organ meats (such as liver). Adding these foods to your diet or increasing the quantity you will supply your hair follicles with the vitamins they need for optimal operation and hair growth; fruits - melons, berries, bananas, oranges, apples and many other fruits can supply your body with the proper vitamins to reduce hair loss; water - consuming at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day will help transport the needed nutrients to your hair and help keep your hair strands hydrated and strong; dairy - increasing your dairy intake, including milk, eggs and cheese, can increase your hair's overall health by providing it with the vitamin B-12 as well as protein.

If you are suffering from hair loss you should avoid refined foods like white breads, pastas, sugar, coffee and other stimulants, alcohol, tobacco, reduce or eliminate trans fatty acids, found in cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, margarine, eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold water fish, tofu or beans for protein, use healthy oils in foods, such as olive oil or vegetable oil, drink 6 - 8 glasses of filtered water daily and exercise regularly.

4 Types of Hair Loss

Hair loss can occur very fast and knowing how to treat it isn't something that many people really know how to do. Hair loss treatments are readily available and you can choose between the chemical-based and the natural treatments. People are generally not ready for chemical-based products and so they prefer using the natural hair loss products. Most shampoos use harsh sulphates and ethoxylated cleansing agents, while natural shampoos and conditioners cleanse your hair. Here are some types of alopecia:

1. Traction alopecia can occur because of the use of chemical treatments such as hair dyes, bleaches and even hair straighteners, so the hair becomes fragile and can fall out with brushing and combing. You may have to consult a doctor or a trichologist to confirm the diagnosis. Women that use false eye lashes have been known to suffer too since their natural eyelashes will die off with their extensive and continued use.
2. Cicatricial alopecia is a group of related disorders in which inflammation destroys the hair follicles and replaces them with scar tissue. It is also referred to as scarring alopecia. This cause of permanent hair loss is often seen in skin conditions such as discoid lupus erythematosus and lichen planus.
3. Trichotillomania is a disorder when a person has a strong urge to pull out hair and even sometimes eat it. It can be treated if it’s detected early and it shouldn’t be disregarded since hair loss is a consequence, while the cause may be some stressful event or trauma. It can lead to patchy bald spots on the head.
4. Telogen effluvium is a scalp disorder characterized by the thinning or shedding of hair resulting from the early entry of hair in the resting phase of the hair follicle, which can be triggered by emotional or physiological stress. Also, eating disorders, fever, childbirth, chronic illness, major surgery, anemia, severe emotional disorders, crash diets, emotional scarring due to erectile dysfunction, fishwives, trichotillomania, hypothyroidism, and drugs can be the reason for the telogen effluvium.

This condition may be hard for the person who suffers from it since it directly alters the self-esteem and self-image, so talking to a psychologist can be of great help. This is not something you should deal with alone, because when you realize just how many people affected are out there, you will find it easier to deal with it. It is especially difficult for parents who have children affected with alopecia. They often don’t know how to approach the problem, so counseling can be beneficial for them to educate themselves and others about the condition. You can promote healthy hair growth with the use of natural hair care products. Hair roots are actually alive and just as like any other organs found in our body, they require nourishment in order to sustain their normal functioning. Natural hair products that are utilized to promote total health of the hair are virtually free of any side effects and are tested through times that have been handed down by generations.  

Unpleasant Condition - Alopecia Areata

Experiencing any type of hair loss can be a scary and unpleasant experience. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that affects 2% of the population and triggers the autoimmune system to attack the hair follicles, which results in hair loss.

Anyone who has Alopecia may experience these following hair loss symptoms: hair loss during a short period of time on a specific side of the head-either the left or the right side, hair loss covering the entire head, which is referred to as Alopecia totalis, hair loss that leaves small, round, smooth patches in one or more areas of the scalp, which is referred to as diffuse alopecia areata, hair loss within the beard, which is referred to as Alopecia areata barbae and hair loss over the entire body, which is referred to as Alopecia universalis.

The specific cause of alopecia areata is still not defined, however, most agree that it is probably caused by genetics. The good news is that while, some might have a genetic pre-disposition to getting alopecia areata, there are things that they can do to possibly stop the onset or effectively treat the condition. As with most chronic conditions, diet plays a critical role in building the immune system, which ultimately leads to better health. The following changes to your diet just might be the solution:

- Reduce your consumption of whole grains and starchy foods, because whole grains increase insulin resistance.
- Control insulin levels since there is a correlation between insulin levels and the onset of hair loss in men.
- Increase vegetable intake - Plant based diets are a must for optimal health because vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and other green leafy vegetables contain a variety of vitamins and minerals that promote a healthy immune system and hair growth.
- Increase omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin D levels, because they are excellent for regulating your hormonal levels, which is paramount to great health and hair.
- Reduce stress levels: Stress increases cortisol levels in the body. Chronically high levels can damage your overall health and ultimately, your hair.

A doctor will usually be able to diagnose alopecia areata based on examination of the areas of your hair loss and your symptoms. He may pull gently hairs near the edge of the bald area to determine whether these hairs come out very easily and to inspect them for any structural abnormalities of the root or shaft. If there is still doubt as to diagnosis, a small skin biopsy of your scalp may confirm the diagnosis. In a biopsy, a small piece of skin is removed and examined in a laboratory.

Marbo Lotion completely cleanses and heals the scalp, resulting in strong and healthy follicles, free of unwanted grease and dandruff resulting in discontinuation of hair breaking or hair loss. The hair becomes thicker and firmer. It contains following ingredients: Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis), Chamomile (Matricaria Chamomilla), Nettle (Urtica Dioica), Sage (Salvia Officinalis), Walnut (Juglans Regia), Garlic (Allium Sativum), Birch (Betula Alba), White Willow (Salix Alba), Burdock (Arctium Lappa) and Ivy (Hedera Helix).

Few Treatments for Hair Loss

Alopecia Areata is a condition that manifests itself in the form of patches or hair loss from the entire body, depending on the type. Fortunately, the condition is not painful and the skin affected by it is normal and smooth, with no scars, while the hair around the patch is soft and with little or no color. The thing you should do is to be proactive in preventing hair loss, since this condition causes emotional disorders. There are many alopecia treatments , but your doctor should be the one to decide which one will have the best chance of giving results in your case.

• Oral zinc treatment has occasional benefit in treating Alopecia Areata. It seems to possess an immunomodulatory as well as an anti-androgenetic effect. However, very high doses are needed for it to be effective and this may result in side effects which can include vomiting and diarrhea.
• Retin A – Tretinoin is used in the treatment of both Alopecia Areata and Androgenetic Alopecia. Usually Retin-A in a gel form is rubbed on the area of hair loss. The effects of this gel are the best when used in combination with topical Minoxidil. Minoxidil should be applied in the morning and Retin-A in the evening due to the fact that Retin-A increases the skins sensitivity to sunlight.
• Topical immunotherapy is a treatment for extensive alopecia areata. The treatment with immunosuppressant such as cyclosporine causes a skin reaction similar to mild eczema, which in some cases may lead to regrowth of hair.
• Corticosteroid shots treatment is one of the most effective hair loss treatment . They are injected directly into the bald spot with the aim to suppress the autoimmune reaction. However, it has been proven to work only on small bald spots.
• PUVA - psoralen plus ultraviolet A radiation consists of a topical or oral application of psoralen, followed by ultraviolet radiation. This method is better tolerated than topical immunotherapy but is also less effective.
Prescribed treatments are not the same for all the patients affected with this condition. They will differ from person to person, age also plays an important role and of course, the type of the condition. Hair loss is not easy to get over it, since beautiful and strong hair is something that influences the way other people see us and it is especially hard for women, because hair is huge part of their sexuality and femininity. This can lead to some consequences like social withdrawal and phobia due to shame. However, it is important to understand that there are many people all around the world that suffer from it and that there are many support groups that can help a lot in overcoming it.

Even if you don’t suffer from extensive hair loss, you should work on prevention, like keeping good hair hygiene with mild shampoos, avoid washing your hair with the water that is too hot, brushing your hair too much, also, you should do the oil massage from time to time and use conditioner after washing your hair. Using a hair loss shampoo for preventive reasons is especially effective, but it might not be enough if you are affected with a severe falling hair condition.

Some Things You Should Know About Male Pattern Baldness

One hair loss cycle lasts about three years and once it’s finished new hair starts to grow. The person that gets affected with hair loss, goes through few stages: affected hair follicles on the scalp gradually become smaller than normal, as the follicle shrinks, each new hair is thinner than the previous one, before falling out, each new hair grows for much less time than the normal three years or so and eventually, all that remains is a much smaller hair follicle and a thin stump of hair that does not grow out to the skin surface.

Hair loss that affects men is caused by male hormones when the hair follicles convert testosterone into another hormone called dihydrotestosterone. After this hair follicles become more sensitive to dihydrotestosterone, causing the hair follicles to shrink. The reason why hair loss is gradual is not clear. Male pattern baldness is genetically determined. This cause of baldness is also known by the name of androgenic alopecia, which is inherited sensitivity to the effects of androgens (male hormones) on scalp hair follicles which causes them to shrink and prevents them from producing hair normally.

Post-pubertal individuals that get affected with this condition experience miniaturizing of the hair follicles, especially on the scalp center and over the temple. There often begin to grow small, fine hairs that are often difficult to see. This process is due to the metabolism of testosterone by an enzyme in the hair follicle. Generally, hair follicles over the ears and around the posterior of the scalp do not possess this enzyme so a fringe of normal hair is maintained.

Patients affected with classic pattern baldness usually lose their hair in a defined pattern, when hair starts to fall above the temples and at the crown of the head. Influence of androgens causes follicles in the temporal, frontal and vertex area of the scalp to show a shortening of the Anagen phase, followed by miniaturization of the hair follicles. It affects the percentage of hairs in Anagen phase and the duration of Anagen diminishes in areas affected by Androgenetic alopecia which results in shorter hairs. It is also known by the term "Hippocratic balding" and it may sometimes progress to complete baldness.

When serum androgen levels rise above the low level, which is usually after puberty, is when men get affected with male-pattern baldness. There are some evidences that when men lose hair in their early twenties, they will lose their hair most extensively if the cause is alopecia. Alopecia is associated with several medical conditions including coronary heart disease and enlargement of the prostate, as well as disorders of insulin resistance, like diabetes and obesity and high blood pressure. In most cases, men have some type of baldness by the time they are in their 60s, but the age when the hair loss starts is variable. Some women also develop a similar type of hair loss, mainly at the crown. Baldness in women is much more common after the menopause.

For more information on treating male pattern baldness visit this Blog.

Three Hair Loss Causes In Children

Hair loss disorders affect children as much as they affect adults. There is information that in faact there are three per cent of children affected by it in the US alone. Whether your child has thinning hair or distinct bald spots, the loss of hair can be frightening. The good news is that, with a proper diagnosis, most cases of hair loss can be treated successfully.
There are many medical causes of hair loss in children and they should be easily determined by a pediatrician or a pediatric dermatologist. These causes are related to children that are 26 months old or older than that.
1. Trichotillomania may be the reason why your child has hair loss. It is a condition caused by the child pulling, plucking, twisting, or rubbing his or her hair. The hair loss occurs in patches and it's characterized by broken hairs of varying length. These patches are typically seen on the side of the child's dominant hand. 2. Tinea capitis is the term used for ringworm of the scalp. It is a fungal infection often seen in children. There are number of ways it can appear, but often as scaly patches of hair loss on the head. The patches are usually round or oval. The hairs may be broken off at the surface of the skin and look like black dots on the scalp.
In the case that there is a reason for the doctor to think that tinea capitis is a reason for child hair loss a microscopic examination can confirm the diagnosis. Treatment usually involves an oral antifungal, used for eight weeks. Also, antifungal shampoo such as selenium sulfide or ketoconazole to decrease shedding of the fungus should be used. Ringworm is contagious, so your child should be careful not to share any objects that touch the head such as hats, pillow cases, hair clippers, or brushes.
3. Alopecia areata is a condition that is not contagious. It is thought to be caused by the body's immune system attacking the hair follicles. It is characterized by the sudden appearance of round or oval patches of hair loss. The patches are slick or smooth, without scaling or broken hairs. About 25% of children also have pitting and ridging of the nails.
There are treatments that can control the disease in some children. Many have their hair back within a year, although regrowth is unpredictable and many will lose hair again. Some children experience the development of the disease to alopecia totalis, which is loss of all of the hair on the scalp. Some of these will develop alopecia universalis - a total loss of body hair.
Treatment consists primarily of strong corticosteroid ointments or creams applied to the bald areas for younger children. Teenagers may tolerate steroid injections into the scalp. Minoxidil (Rogaine) is often used in additional to topical steroid treatment. Anthralin applied to the skin for a short time and then washed off may also be used. Hair growth may come back in 8-12 weeks.
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