Hair loss, also known as alopecia refers to a loss of hair from part of the head or body. Typically at least the head is involved. The severity of hair loss can vary from a small area to the entire body.

Causes of Alopecia.

• Hormones – An imbalance in certain hormones in both male and females can lead to hair loss. High levels of testosterone in men can have a negative effect on hair growth.

Women with higher than normal levels of testosterone, such as women who have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), are more likely to experience male-patterned baldness. 
This condition is not very common in women because they have higher levels of oestrogen, which helps to balance out the effects of the male hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) a potent form of testosterone that normally leads to hair loss. However, women who produce high levels of male hormones, have increased testosterone levels which can convert to DHT, thereby increasing their chances of losing their hair.

• Genes – from both male and female parents, may influence a person’s predisposition to male or female pattern baldness.

• Stress – Stress can cause hair loss in different ways. In particular it can lead to the build-up of acid-free radicals, which contribute to gradual hair loss.
Prolonged periods of stress can lead to changes in hormonal levels, which can also lead to hair loss.
Conditions such as trichotillomania (pulling of the hair) are associated with stress.

• Illness, and childbirth can cause temporary hair loss. Ringworm caused by a fungal infection can also cause hair loss.

• Drugs – including chemotherapy drugs used in cancer treatment, blood thinners, beta-adrenergic blockers used to control blood pressure, and birth control pills, can cause temporary hair loss.

• Burns, injuries, and X-rays can cause temporary hair loss. In such cases, normal hair growth usually returns once the injury heals.

• Autoimmune disease may cause alopecia areata. In alopecia areata, the immune system revs up for unknown reasons and affects the hair follicles. In most people with alopecia areata, the hair grows back, although it may temporarily be very fine and possibly a lighter color before normal coloration and thickness return.

• Cosmetic procedures, such as shampooing too often, perming, bleaching, and dyeing hair can contribute to overall hair thinning by making hair weak and brittle. Tight braiding, using rollers or hot curlers, and running hair picks through tight curls can also damage and break hair. However, these procedures don’t cause baldness. In most instances hair grows back normally if the source of the problem is removed. Still, severe damage to the hair or scalp sometimes causes permanent bald patches.

• Medical conditions. – Thyroid dusese – over active thyroid can trigger a condition called Telogen Effluvium, which changes the hair growth cycle and can result in the thinning of the hair), lupus, diabetes, iron deficiency, and anemia can cause hair loss, but when the underlying condition is treated the hair will return.

• Diet –  A low-protein diet or severely calorie-restricted diet can also cause temporary hair loss.

• Trichotillomania or Hair Pulling –
Some children and less often adults play with their hair by pulling on it or twisting it. This can be part of a behavioral problem. If the behavior is not stopped permanent hair loss can result from the constant stress on the hair.

• Hair Styling Treatments – Many people change the appearance of their hair by using chemical treatments like dyes, tints, bleaches, straighteners, relaxers and permanent waves. Hair can become weak and break if any of these chemicals are used too often.

Skin disorders – Some disorders of the skin, for example psoriasis, tinea infection, lichen planus on scalp may cause hair loss.
Also folliculitis is another skin infection that causes hair loss. This is a bacterial condition that causes irritation to the hair follicles and is probably one of the most familiar kinds of skin infection. Even though it is generally insignificant, it can generate substantial disease. It can be deep or superficial, and leads to the development of an inflammatory nodule encircling the hair. Hairs that are infected can be removed easily.

Types of Alopecia

• Alopecia areata (patchy) – condition generated when the immune system of the body targets the hair follicles and disturbs the natural hair growth and formation. It is still unknown what causes it, but it seems to be an anomaly wherein the immune system targets specific body tissues.
Is the form with one or more coin-sized (usually round or oval) patches on the scalp or other places on the body that grow hair. This type may convert into either alopecia totalis (hair loss across the entire scalp) or alopecia universalis (hair loss across the entire body), but most commonly it remains patchy

• Diffuse alopecia areata – This results in sudden and unexpected thinning of the hair all over the whole scalp

• Alopecia areata monolocularis- Describes baldness in only one spot. It may occur anywhere on the head.

• Alopecia areata multilocularis – refers to multiple areas of hair loss.

• Ophiasis alopecia – Ophiasis alopecia areata has a unique pattern of hair loss, which includes the sides and lower back of the scalp (called the occipital region) in the shape of a band.

• Alopecia areata barbae- The disease may be limited only to the beard.

• Alopecia totalis- If the patient loses all the hair on the scalp

• Alopecia universalis– If all body hair, including pubic hair, is lost.

• Androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern hair loss due to a combination of hormones -androgens and a genetic predisposition) – this is a common form of hair loss in both men and women. In men, this condition is also known as male-pattern baldness. Hair is lost in a well-defined pattern, beginning above both temples. Over time, the hairline recedes to form a characteristic “M” shape. Hair also thins at the crown (near the top of the head), often progressing to partial or complete baldness.

The pattern of hair loss in women differs from male-pattern baldness. In women, the hair becomes thinner all over the head, and the hairline does not recede. Androgenetic alopecia in women rarely leads to total baldness.

• Traction Alopecia – Is a hair loss condition resulting from damage to the hair follicle and papilla from continuous tension or pulling over a lengthy period of time. It usually happens in people who put on braids that are tight particularly “cornrows” that result in pulling, high tension and hair breakage. It can also be a consequence of cosmetic surgery that generates hair tension, like facelifts.

• Chignon Alopecia – It is a type of traction alopecia wherein hair loss takes place at the crown of the head. It usually happens when the hair is shaped or styled in a tight bundle for a very long time period. This is typically common in ballet dancers.

Homeopathic Treatment Of Alopecia

Homeopathic treatment is very effective in dealing with alopecia. Homeopathic remedies for alopecia affect our body by optimizing our immune system. Thus, homeopathy can provide an effective and permanent solution to this problem.
Once it is treated with homeopathy the chances of the problem occurring again are also highly reduced.

Here are some homeopathic medicines for the treatment of hair loss;

(1) Fluoric acid

• Tendency to develop alopecia in families.

– Brittle hair

– Idiopathic hair fall

– Hair falls in spots, vertex baldness.

– Hair tangles easily

– Buoyant attitude towards life.

– Extreme irritability and anger.

– All complaints aggravated by warmth and better by cold application etc.

(2) Phosphoric acid

– Any sort of grief leading to hair fall.

– Takes stress easily.

– Early graying of hair (sometimes in childhood).

– Progressive thinning of hair.

– Difficult comprehension of things.

– Long-standing effects of mental agony and patient lives in the state of shock for long.

– Extreme debility.

– Craves juicy things.

(3) Phosphorus

– Patchy baldness

– Dryness of hair and scalp, itchy scalp, dandruff.

– Hair fall in handfuls while combing.

– Frontal baldness

– Thin physique, long fingers, high cheek bones.

– Weakness with excess emotional vulnerability and impressionability.

– Extremely sympathetic persons who go out-of-the-way to help others.

– Hair fall after any hemorrhagic disorder.

– Scurvy

– Fearful when alone

– Better in company

(4) Graphites

– Hair fall on sides

– Patchy baldness

– Itchy, humid eruptions on scalp that emit fetid odor.

– Constipation associated with hair fall.

– Chilly, fat patient with tendency to develop one or the other skin problems.

– Menopausal hair fall

(5) Mezereum

– Hair stick together

– Fall in handfuls

– Crusty eruptions on scalp leading to hair fall.

– Itchy scalp, dandruff.

– Alopecia Areata affecting scalp leading to hair fall.

– Sensitive to cold air, skin rashes, eruptions, crusts below which is yellow purulent matter.

(6) Sepia

– Baldness menopausal

– Hair fall after delivery of the child with mental depression, leading to indifference later on.

– Hair pains when touched because of extremely sensitive hair roots.

– Irritability increased, with snappish attitude.

– Pimply eruptions near the hairline on forehead.

(7) Silica

– Baldness in young people.

– Hair fall in frontal and forehead region.

– Early graying of hair.

– Chilly with excessively sweaty cold palms.

– Nervous and anxious disposition.

– Mild types

– Fixed ideas, highly impressionable.

(8) Natrum muriaticum

It is frequently prescribed in cases of hair loss especially in anemic females.

 (9) Lycopodium

• This drug is frequently prescribed for complaints of hair loss, premature baldness, premature graying of hair.
• Offensive secretions and violent itching are a few of its common indications. The complaints are worse from warmth and better by cold applications. 

(10) Nitricum acidum

• Its one of the commonly used drugs for hair loss.
• Loss of hair from the vertex. Sensitiveness of the scalp.

(11) Pulsatilla

• Can be used by those women who suffer from excessive hair fall after delivery. The guiding factor for recommending this medicine is a complete absence of thirst for water and desire for fresh open air.

The above mentioned homeopathic medicines are just few of the remedies indicated for treating alopecia, there are more than 150 Homeopathic medicines that can be right for you. The right homeopathic medicines for Alopecia has to be choosen by a qualified and an experienced Homeopath. Avoid self-medication.

For your homeopathic medicines and treatment of alopecia and other health challenges, you can contact the homeopath Oluwafunmise on 08028366901