Alopecia means loss of hair from the scalp or body. It is a symptom, not a disease, and can be caused by various factors.
- Mnemonic: "A.L.O.P.E.C.I.A. = A Loss Of Personal &
Essential Covering In Areas"
TYPES OF ALOPECIA
1. Non-Scarring Alopecia (Hair
Follicles Not Destroyed – Reversible)
- Androgenetic Alopecia (Male & Female Pattern Baldness).
- Alopecia Areata (Autoimmune Patches of Hair Loss).
- Telogen Effluvium (Stress-Induced Hair Loss).
- Traction Alopecia (Tight Hairstyles Causing Hair Fall).
- Mnemonic: "A.A.T.T." (Androgenetic, Areata, Telogen,
Traction)
2. Scarring Alopecia (Permanent
Hair Loss – Follicles Destroyed)
- Lichen Planopilaris (Inflammatory Autoimmune Disease).
- Lupus (Discoid Lupus Erythematosus – DLE).
- Folliculitis Decalvans (Bacterial Infection of Follicles).
- Burns, Radiation, Trauma (Physical Damage to Scalp).
Mnemonic: "L.L.F.B." (Lichen Planopilaris, Lupus,
Folliculitis, Burns)
COMMON TYPES OF ALOPECIA IN
DETAIL
1. Androgenetic Alopecia (Pattern
Baldness)
- Caused by: Increased Androgen (DHT - Dihydrotestosterone).
- Men → Receding Hairline, Bald Spot on Crown ("M-Shape").
- Women → Diffuse Thinning (No Receding Hairline).
- Associated With: PCOS (Females), Heart Disease, Diabetes (Males).
Mnemonic: "M.F.D. = Male-Front Hairline, Female-Diffuse
Thinning"
2. Alopecia Areata (Autoimmune
Hair Loss)
- Painless, Well-Defined Bald Patches.
- "Exclamation Mark Hairs" (Short Hairs Tapered at Base).
- Can Affect Eyebrows, Beard, Nails (Pitting in Nails).
- Variants: Alopecia Totalis (Complete Scalp Baldness), Alopecia Universalis (All Body Hair Loss).
- Mnemonic: "A.A. = Autoimmune Attack on Hair"
3. Telogen Effluvium (Temporary
Hair Shedding)
- Triggered by Stress, Pregnancy, Surgery, Illness.
- Excessive Hair Loss 2-3 Months After Event.
- Self-Limiting – Hair Grows Back in 6-9 Months.
Mnemonic: "S.T.R.E.S.S." (Surgery, Trauma, Radiation,
Emotional Shock, Severe Infection, Starvation)
4. Traction Alopecia (Hair Loss
Due to Tension)
- Caused by Tight Hairstyles (Braids, Ponytails, Extensions).
- Common in Women & People Using Hair Weaves.
- Reversible If Stopped Early.
Mnemonic: "T.T.H." (Tight Hairstyles Harm Hair)
DIAGNOSIS OF ALOPECIA
- Clinical Examination (Pattern of Hair Loss, History Taking).
- Hair Pull Test (Gently Pulling Hair – >5 Hairs in Hand = Abnormal).
- Trichoscopy (Microscopic Examination of Hair & Scalp).
- Blood Tests (For Iron Deficiency, Thyroid Issues, Autoimmune Causes).
Mnemonic: "C.H.T.B." (Clinical Exam, Hair Pull,
Trichoscopy, Blood Tests)
TREATMENT OF ALOPECIA
1. LIFESTYLE CHANGES
- Eat Protein-Rich Diet (Eggs, Fish, Nuts, Beans).
- Reduce Stress (Yoga, Meditation).
- Avoid Chemical Hair Treatments & Heat Styling.
Mnemonic: "P.S.C." (Protein, Stress-Free, Chemical-Free)
2. MEDICAL TREATMENT
- Minoxidil (Topical – Increases Blood Flow to Scalp).
- Finasteride (For Androgenetic Alopecia – Blocks DHT).
- Steroid Injections (For Alopecia Areata – Reduces Inflammation).
- Iron & Biotin Supplements (For Deficiency-Related Hair Loss).
Mnemonic: "M.F.S.I." (Minoxidil, Finasteride, Steroids,
Iron)
3. SURGICAL TREATMENT (For Severe
Cases)
- Hair Transplant (Follicular Unit Transplantation – FUT or FUE).
- Scalp Micropigmentation (Tattooing to Mimic Hair).
- Wigs & Hairpieces (For Extensive Baldness).
Mnemonic: "T.M.W." (Transplant, Micropigmentation, Wigs)
HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT OF
ALOPECIA
- For Androgenetic Alopecia (Pattern Baldness):
- Thuja, Lycopodium, Silicea, Nat Mur.
- For Alopecia Areata (Patchy Hair Loss):
- Phosphorus, Fluoric Acid, Graphites, Kali Sulph.
- For Telogen Effluvium (Stress-Induced Hair Fall):
- Ignatia, Nat Mur, Sepia, Phosphoric Acid.
- For Traction Alopecia (Hair Loss Due to Pulling):
- Arnica, Staphysagria, Calendula.
Mnemonic: "T.L.P.I." (Thuja, Lycopodium, Phosphorus,
Ignatia – Key Remedies)
FINAL REVISION WITH MNEMONICS
- Definition = "A.L.O.P.E.C.I.A. = A Loss Of Personal & Essential Covering In Areas"
- Types = "A.A.T.T. (Androgenetic, Areata, Telogen, Traction)" & "L.L.F.B. (Lichen Planopilaris, Lupus, Folliculitis, Burns)"
- Common Alopecia Types = "M.F.D." (Male-Front Hairline, Female-Diffuse Thinning), "A.A." (Autoimmune Attack on Hair), "S.T.R.E.S.S." (Telogen Effluvium Triggers), "T.T.H." (Tight Hairstyles Harm Hair)
- Diagnosis = "C.H.T.B." (Clinical Exam, Hair Pull, Trichoscopy, Blood Tests)
- Treatment = "P.S.C." (Protein, Stress-Free, Chemical-Free) & "M.F.S.I." (Minoxidil, Finasteride, Steroids, Iron)
- Surgery = "T.M.W." (Transplant, Micropigmentation, Wigs)
- Homeopathy = "T.L.P.I." (Thuja, Lycopodium, Phosphorus, Ignatia – Key Remedies)
