Alopecia areata

Alopecia areata is a recurrent form of hair loss, which can affect any area necicatriciala pilose. It is a benign and asymptomatic condition in most patients. It can cause psychosocial stress to those affected. This can be located, extended, or associated with autoimmune conditions such as atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, thyroid disease, collagen vascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, abnormalities persoanalitatii.
Treatment is not required because the condition is benign, and spontaneous remission and recurrence are common. Therapies include stimulating hair growth regimes, but they can not influence the initial evolution of the disease. Intralesional corticosteroid therapy include injections or topical application. Hair growth may persist for up to nine months after injection. Topical immunotherapy is defined as allergic contact dermatitis induced by topical application of potent allergens. Systemic therapy with psoralen and ultraviolet A shows the healing rates of 20-73%, but recurrence is high.
Alopecia areata is unpredictable. No one treatment is efficient in stopping the progression of the condition. Most patients have several locations, and the growth of hair occurs spontaneously assemble year. Less than 10% of patients suffering from extensive hair loss. Negative prognostic factors include nail abnormalities, atopy, early age onset and severe forms of alopecia areata.
Pathogenesis and causes
Pathophysiology of alopecia areata remains unknown. Most accepted hypothesis is that alopecia is an autoimmune-mediated condition that occurs in genetically susceptible individuals. Theory of autoimmunity. The evidence supports the hypothesis that alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition. The process appears to be mediated cellular T, but were discovered and antibodies directed against the hair.
Genetic theory. Many factors favor the predisposition to alopecia areata. Frequency between patients affected family members is estimated at 20%. Incidence is increased in people with severe forms of alopecia over the thyroid.
Theory and vasculaturii inervatiei. The fact that patients with alopecia areata reported occasional itching or pain in the affected areas raises the possibility of peripheral nervous system alteration.
Viral theory. Another hypothesis was proposed to explain the pathology of alopecia areata. It is considered to have an infectious origin, but did not reveal any microbial agent constant.