Contents
General description of the disease
Baldness (lat. alopecia – baldness) is a disease that leads to significant thinning or complete disappearance of hair from certain areas of the head or trunk. The norm is a daily loss of 50-150 hairs.
In the treatment of baldness, a number of methods are used, which include drug treatment (used only for men and does not activate the follicles, but only maintains the hair in its current condition), laser therapy and surgery to transplant healthy follicles from the lateral and occipital lobes of the skull. The first two methods are effective only in cases of systematic lifelong use, because when the treatment is stopped, the follicles and hair return to their original state, as before the therapy. As a result of the operation, good hair can be preserved until the end of life.
The causes of hair loss can be identified by a trichologist or dermatologist and, based on the data obtained, prescribe treatment methods. The main methods for diagnosing the disease include:
- determination of the level of male and female hormones,
- a complete blood count,
- samples for infectious diseases,
- scraping scaly and balding skin areas for fungi, lichens and sarcoidosis,
- biopsy,
- test for the ease of pulling the hair out of the follicle.
Varieties of baldness
- androgenetic alopecia – baldness of the frontal and parietal regions in men (95% of cases of baldness) and thinning hair along the central parting in women (20-90% of cases of baldness)
- diffuse baldness characterized by uniform thinning of the hair due to the failure of the cycle of development of hair and hair follicles. Typically, this type of baldness is a symptom of a more serious illness in the body. There are two subspecies of diffuse alopecia: telogen and anagen. After eliminating the causes of hair loss in this form of baldness, the follicles are restored, and the hair grows back in 4-9 months.
- patchy baldness occurs as a result of the death of hair roots, attacked by the immune system. Most often, one or more rounded lesions are observed. In a particularly severe form, baldness is observed throughout the body. In this situation, this occurs as a result of an autoimmune disease. Conservative treatment is the use of corticosteroids in different pharmacological forms: cream, tablets, injections.
- cicatricial baldness – irreversible damage to the hair roots with the formation of scars in their place. As a treatment, surgery is used to remove scars, followed by hair transplantation.
Causes
Depending on the type of baldness, the cause-and-effect relationships of its occurrence also differ.
So androgenetic alopecia associated with:
- damage to hair follicles under the influence of testosterone;
- polycystic ovary;
- pituitary hyperplasia;
- hereditary predisposition.
Diffuse baldness results from:
- prolonged nervous tension;
- hormonal disruption as a result of disruption of the glands, taking hormonal drugs or during pregnancy;
- taking antidepressants, antipsychotics and antibiotics;
- acute infectious diseases and severe chronic diseases;
- strict diets for a long period, in the diet of which there was a lack of vitamins and minerals;
- anorexia;
- effects on the body of radiation exposure;
- chemotherapy;
- poisoning with poisons.
Alopecia areata may be as a result:
- vaccination;
- long-term antibiotic therapy;
- anesthesia, including prolonged anesthesia (more than 6 hours);
- viral diseases;
- stress;
- self-pulling hair against the background of psychological illness and disorders.
Cicatricial baldness may occur after:
- cutting, laceration and gunshot injuries to the head and other parts of the body where hair is present;
- transferred infections of fungal, viral or bacterial etiology;
- thermal or chemical burns.
Baldness symptoms
- loss of a lot of hair;
- itching of balding areas.
Healthy foods for baldness
General recommendations
Baldness is often accompanied by a deficiency of vitamins and minerals. It is recommended to eat foods that contain a large amount of vitamins A, group B, C; minerals: zinc, aluminum, sulfur, manganese, silicon, iodine, copper. The diet should be varied and include dairy products, a large amount of fiber, proteins, polyunsaturated fats (omega 3; 6; 9).
It should be remembered that switching to proper nutrition will not give instant results. This is a fairly long process and the first results will be noticeable only after 4-6 weeks.
Healthy foods
The source of omega fats is fatty fish, sea shellfish (oysters, octopus, squid), nuts (almonds, cashews, pecans), soy and unrefined vegetable oils (olive, flaxseed, sunflower).
Vitamin B12 is required for the health and growth of hair, which is found in meat, eggs, salmon.
The diet should definitely include leafy and green vegetables that are rich in easily digestible proteins and carbohydrates (broccoli, spinach, parsley, leeks and lettuce, Swiss chard, all varieties of cabbage). Carrots, beets, celery, cucumbers, eggplants, and courgettes should be eaten as a source of fiber.
Legumes (beans, peas, soybeans, chickpeas, lentils, beans) will help provide enough zinc, biotin, iron and other trace elements. To provide the body with B vitamins, you should eat whole grain bread and cereals.
Dysbacteriosis can also cause hair loss, so it is imperative to consume fermented milk products with live lacto- and bifidobacteria (yogurt, sour cream, kefir, whey). It should be remembered that these foods contain calcium and casein, which make hair shine, stronger and shinier.
Folk remedies for baldness
A decoction based on medicinal herbs will help restore the activity of the follicles and strengthen the hair. To prepare an infusion based on burdock, grind 2-3 large leaves of burdock, add water (1 liter), boil and boil over low heat for 5 minutes. Cool the broth before rinsing, and then, pouring small portions onto the hair, rub thoroughly into the scalp. The procedure should be carried out at least 3 times a week for 2 months.
As a regenerating hair mask, you can use a mixture of honey (1 tablespoon), aloe juice and garlic (1 tablespoon each), and the yolk of one chicken egg. All hair should be divided into strands and massage the mask into the scalp. When all the mixture is distributed through the hair, you need to cover your head with plastic and wrap it with a towel. You need to keep the mask for 30-40 minutes. You need to repeat the procedure 2 times a week.
Dangerous and harmful foods for hair loss
Baldness can be caused by improper and irregular nutrition. With a large amount of hair loss, the following should be excluded from the diet:
- fast food products,
- factory semi-finished products,
- fast carbohydrates (white flour products, sweet desserts, fruits).
Attention!
The administration is not responsible for any attempt to use the information provided, and does not guarantee that it will not harm you personally. The materials cannot be used to prescribe treatment and make a diagnosis. Always consult your specialist doctor!