
“My front hair-line recedes back! I am quiet worried
that I would become bald very early like my dad! My father
started balding at the age of forty-five whereas I am only
twenty!”
“My scalp is visible if I apply oil!
Before marriage I had very thick hair! I was not able to hold
with hands. Now only 50% hairs… Something I have to
do? “
“My hairs are falling in bunches. I have
small bald spot in one area, then many spot…Oh scalp.
Will it lead to total baldness? What is the reason? Is it
infectious?”
Very common conversation we come among the
teenagers, housewives. When shedding significantly exceeds
hair loss, baldness occurs.
Alopecia
Baldness
occurs when our age advances. It is a natural process. It
is inherited specifically and the genetic coding is done during
the formation in the womb to receive appropriate stimulus.
Even though many factors like age, diet, genetics, blood circulation,
stress level, infections, medication, climate, exposure to
hair chemicals and hairdressing techniques involve hair growth,
hormones play vital role. Hair follicles are very sensitive
to the male hormones “androgens” also termed as
“Testosterone”, Thyroid hormone and growth hormone
also regulates hair growth. When an abnormal stimulus is received
from these hormones, the hair follicle begins to shrink. It's
first noticed as thinning hair, since the hair follicle begins
producing only a very thin, short hair. Eventually the hair
follicle dies and permanent baldness occurs.
Male pattern Baldness
Aging
baldness is inevitable since it is an expected “wear
and tear” but it is unusual among young adults suffering
premature alopecia in both sexes. Both men and women have
testosterone in the blood, but men have higher levels. The
skin of the scalp converts testosterone to another substance
called Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Hair follicles in areas
that are destined to become bald seem to be especially sensitive
to DHT or otherwise produces some antibodies and shrink when
exposed to it. Follicles on the sides and back of the head
are generally not affected.
Male pattern baldness happens to most men eventually
at or after middle age. Receding hair loss at the sides of
the forehead. Some men also have loss of hair on top of the
head, and eventually only the sides and back of the head have
hair, forming a horseshoe shape. One can detect easily by
catching the hair at the back and sides to the front and crown
hair density and length.
Female pattern baldness
Many
of them think that only men are prone to baldness. Female
pattern baldness is very common nowadays. Even though it is
not presented as entire baldness, hair loss can either be
diffuse, with no effect on the “receding hairline”
pattern balding. The scalp becomes visible, when scalp is
nourished with oil. Most of them avoid oiling their hair.
In such victims hormonal impairment is expected,
the serum testosterone level shoots up and causes Female pattern
Baldness, mimicking the male pattern baldness. It usually
seen with Poly Cystic Ovarian Disease in teenagers and Thyroid
Dysfunction in middle-aged women. Some times both hormonal
disorders are presented as a package.
Alopecia areata
Alopecia
Areata, the spotty baldness is very common among children
and teenagers. Mostly it calls for our attention by a hair-stylist
or a beautician. One or more patches may start at the same
time, later involving entire scalp. It may also affect the
beard, eyebrows and eyelashes. Some victims may complain total
loss of hair all over the body.
In many cases fungal infections can be ruled
by a simple hair test by microscope. A study of blood serum
for VDRL will rule out syphilis, in which spotty baldness
over the temples and occipital areas. Girls with long hair
and tight plaits and women who wear a tight chignon seem to
be the victims of spot baldness mostly. If the cause is unknown
an autoimmune reaction suspected, the cells produces some
antigens, which react with own hair follicle to shed. This
may occur as a small spot and then here and there, finally
matted together and total baldness occurs. Medically this
condition is termed as “Alopecia totalis” for
the total baldness of the scalp and “Alopecia Universalis”
for the total loss all over the body.
How to remedy?
Rejuvenation of hair follicles depends on the
intensity of the causative factors. An infection, auto immune
reactions can be controlled very easily where as a hormonal
imbalances would be challenging. There is no treatment in
cases of natural balding were the scarring has resulted. We
can feel the scarring mass by palpation. The hair pores are
not visible and are shiny. The skin becomes more adherent
to the scalp losing its elasticity.
Many of the affected victims frustrated with
treatment trying some local applications to improve blood
circulation, fungicide, and steroid injections on the affected
part. There are many treatments available in the medical systems,
final choice usually homoeopathy which wonders in treatment.
Many types are quite amenable to homoeopathic treatment.
Homoeopathy does wonders in hair treatment.
It does not believe in the external oil therapy alone. We
believe that revitalization of the hair follicle can alone
rejuvenate the hair growth. We have come across many cases
of Alopecia areata, Alopecia Totalis with successful results.
In male pattern baldness we can certainly prevent
the further deterioration and the existing feeble hair growth.
If hair root is lost and the result is scaring then the restoration
is difficult. This is possible with homoeopathy because it
treats the victim as a whole and thus eliminating the causative
factors. If we leap more to the causation of premature baldness
the most possible reason could be the hormonal imbalance.
The antibodies produced affect the blood circulation and thereby
hair recedes from its original state. Here the local applications
never work. It needs revitalization of the hair root to keep
it healthier. In my observation female pattern baldness responds
faster than male types.
Clinically, we had observed that some young
girls and ladies, who had scanty hairs over the forehead and
crown, are with the etiological factors of Polycystic Ovarian
Disease and Thyroid Disorders. The results of treatment are
wonderful to enjoy as they had got rid of both complaints.
Here we differ from other system of medicine as we treat the
patient as a single complete entity. This can be done by the
individual study of the patient. We fix the constitution of
the patient, which guides with the most perfect prescription.
The suitable remedy will correct the most common causative
factors in changing the hormonal imbalance.
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