{"product_id":"2940154444160","title":"Alopecia Areata, A Simple Guide To The Condition, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlopecia areata is a medical disorder that produces round patches of baldness.\u003cbr\u003eIt can result in total hair loss( alopecia totalis).\u003cbr\u003eIn some patients, total baldness develops.\u003cbr\u003eIn many patients, the hair re-grows, normally after several months.\u003cbr\u003eIn some patients, the hair loss is permanent.\u003cbr\u003eAlopecia means loss of hair or baldness.\u003cbr\u003eAlopecia areata is one form of hair loss.\u003cbr\u003eAlopecia areata can happen at any age but most patients first get it as teenagers and children.\u003cbr\u003eAt least 50% of the people with alopecia areata form their first patch of hair loss before they are 21.\u003cbr\u003eMales and females are identically affected.\u003cbr\u003eThe disorder tends to be milder when it first forms at an older age.\u003cbr\u003eCauses\u003cbr\u003eAlopecia areata is believed to be an autoimmune disorder.\u003cbr\u003eThis happens when the immune system falsely attacks and destroys healthy body tissue.\u003cbr\u003eIn people with alopecia areata, many white blood cells get together around the affected hair roots (hair follicles) which are mistaken as foreign.\u003cbr\u003eThis causes some mild inflammation.\u003cbr\u003eThe inflammation results in hairs becoming weak and falling out to produce the bald patches.\u003cbr\u003eIt is not known why it is frequent for only certain areas of the scalp to be affected.\u003cbr\u003eAlso, the involved hair follicles are not damaged.\u003cbr\u003eThe involved hair follicles are capable of producing normal hair again if the immune reaction goes away and the disorder returns to normal.\u003cbr\u003eIt is not known why alopecia areata or other autoimmune diseases happen.\u003cbr\u003eIt is believed that something stimulates the immune system to react against one or more of the body's own tissues.\u003cbr\u003ePossible stimuli are viruses, infection, medicines or other environmental factors.\u003cbr\u003eThere is also a genetic factor which makes some people more vulnerable to autoimmune diseases.\u003cbr\u003eHair loss is normally the only symptom.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe normal pattern is for one or more bald patches to occur on the scalp.\u003cbr\u003eThese tend to be round in shape and can be about the size of a large coin.\u003cbr\u003eThey form quite rapidly.\u003cbr\u003eA relative, friend or hairdresser may be the first person to observe the bald patch or patches.\u003cbr\u003eBesides the bald patch or patches, the scalp normally looks healthy and there is no scarring.\u003cbr\u003eSometimes, there is some mild redness, mild scaling, mild burning or a slightly itchy feeling on the bald patches.\u003cbr\u003eDiagnosis\u003cbr\u003eThe doctor will examine the patient and ask about the symptoms, focusing on areas where the patient has hair loss.\u003cbr\u003eA scalp biopsy may be performed.\u003cbr\u003eBlood tests may also be done to check for autoimmune disorders and thyroid problems.\u003cbr\u003eTreatment\u003cbr\u003eIf hair loss is not serious, the hair will often re-grow in a few months without treatment.\u003cbr\u003eFor more serious hair loss, it is not known how treatment can help alter the course of the disorder.\u003cbr\u003eFrequent treatments may be:\u003cbr\u003e1. Steroid injection under the skin surface\u003cbr\u003e2. Medicines applied to the skin\u003cbr\u003e3. Ultraviolet light therapy\u003cbr\u003e4. The wig may be used to hide areas of hair loss.\u003cbr\u003eWatchful waiting or not treating is a frequent initial method.\u003cbr\u003eAlopecia areata is normally a very non-predictable disorder.\u003cbr\u003eIn many patients, bald patches may re-grow by themselves without treatment.\u003cbr\u003eAny re-growth normally does not start within three months of hair loss.\u003cbr\u003eAn alteration in hairstyle may perhaps hide one or two small bald patches.\u003cbr\u003eIf the hair loss becomes more extensive then the decision on whether to treat may be re-assessed.\u003cbr\u003eBut even with extensive hair loss, there is still a possibility that hair will re-grow without treatment.\u003cbr\u003eAlopecia areata itself will not injure the general health and so not treating will not result in any general health disorders.\u003cbr\u003eSteroid injections (about 1 cm apart) are believed to be the most effective treatment for patches of alopecia areata that are not too big\u003cbr\u003eTABLE OF CONTENT\u003cbr\u003eIntroduction\u003cbr\u003eChapter 1 Alopecia Areata\u003cbr\u003eChapter 2 Causes\u003cbr\u003eChapter 3 Symptoms\u003cbr\u003eChapter 4 Diagnosis\u003cbr\u003eChapter 5 Treatment\u003cbr\u003eChapter 6 Prognosis\u003cbr\u003eChapter 7 Folliculitis\u003cbr\u003eChapter 8 Dandruff\u003cbr\u003eEpilogue\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kenneth Kee","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47103634276592,"sku":"2940154444160","price":2.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940154444160_p0.jpg?v=1764067633","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940154444160","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}