No cure for patchy hair loss Doctor's Forum
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This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from April 1984.
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A. Alopecia areata is a relatively common, but psychologically distressing condition. It results in loss of hair in patchy areas, primarily on the scalp, but it can involve other areas of the body.
The term alopecia derives via Latin from the Greek word for fox (alopex), an animal that commonly suffers a disease which causes hair loss. The term areata refers to the patchy nature of the hair loss. The condition affects both sexes equally and can occur in all age groups. However, it seems to be more common in children and young adults. In 10 to 20 percent of cases, there is a history of other family members having had the same condition.
Alopecia areata usually causes the hair to fall out in round to oval patches primarily on the scalp. The areas of hair loss can be less than 1 inch in diameter, but in most cases are several inches in size. In a few cases the loss can involve the entire scalp, and this condition is called alopecia totalis.
The most severe form of the condition involves loss of all body hair and is called alopecia universalis.
Research indicates that the growing hairs, called anagen, are arrested in their normal growth cycle. This results in a hair shaft that is more narrow at the base and can be easily broken.
The loss of hair can be very rapid, and in some instances seems to occur overnight. The resulting stubble left on the scalp often has the appearance of a tiny exclamation point, and dermatologists use this finding to help make the diagnosis of alopecia areata.
Occasionally, alopecia areata can be associated with changes in the nails manifested by tiny pits in the nail surface, brittleness and splitting of the nails.
The cause of alopecia areata is not known, but there is increasing information that the body's immune system may play a role. There is evidence that small proteins, called antibodies, are formed by the body and directed against some part of the hair follicle. Other diseases that show this "autoimmune phenomenon," such as thyroid disease, diabetes, pernicious anemia and vitiligo (white spots on the skin), occasionally can be associated with alopecia areata.
In some persons, there is evidence that severe emotional stress may precipitate alopecia areata.
Unfortunately, at the present time there is no specific cure for alopecia areata. Fortunately, the great majority of patients with this condition will regrow their hair without any treatment.
In other cases, when the condition is more persistent, dermatologists usually will inject a small amount of cortisone medication into the areas of hair loss to help stimulate regrowth of the hair.
In severe cases, cortisone taken by mouth has helped some people, but the side effects of this medication must be considered before this therapy is attempted.
There are other methods of therapy being used at the present time that are experimental, and you might consult a dermatologist about these or write to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation at P.O. Box 5027, Mill Valley, CA 94941, for more information. Dr. Robert B. Sigafoes, assistant clinical professor of medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. Send questions of general interest to Doctor's Forum, UCSD School of Medicine, M-002, La Jolla, CA 92093. Personal replies cannot be provided. newborn infants or those who have just had eye surgery, immediate attention with antibiotics is necessary. It is important to stress that if there is severe pain in the eye or it is accompanied by blurred vision, then it is more serious than just a conjunctivitis and requires immediate attention.
Iritis is another type of inflammation of the eye. The iris is the part of the eye which widens or constricts according to how much light there is - it encircles the pupil and gives the eye its color. If the iris is inflamed, then it is more serious and painful and results in blurring of vision, sensitivity to light, swelling of the upper eyelid and tear formation. This often accompanies other diseases rather than being a disease by itself. One of the most serious eye emergencies is acute glaucoma. The eye can be red it this case, there's a sudden onset of blurred vision, pain inside the eye and is often associated with nausea and vomiting. Some patients see a halo around a light blub. The pupil will be dialated, the eye is red and blindness may result if it is not treated properly.
Every now and then one sees someone with part of one eye completely covered with a sheet of red. This is caused by a burst blood vessel, it is harmless and will disappear by itself in a few weeks.
The last cause of red eyes can be from an inflammation
