What is Alopecia ? Is this male problem or female problem?
Alopecia is a disease that happens when the immune system attacks hair follicles and causes hair loss. Hair follicles are the structures in skin that form hair.
Anyone can have alopecia. Men and women can both get it, and it affects all racial and ethnic groups.
Symptoms
- Hair usually falls out quickly.
- Can be one or more bald spots that start small and get larger.
- Can lose a small or large amount of hair or all the hair.
- Skin at the bald spot is completely bare and smooth.
- Nails can have white, bumpy spots or tiny dents. Nails split easily.
Age group Affected:
It can begin at any age, but most people get it in their teens, twenties, or thirties.
What are the Causes?
(1) Baldness can be heredity.
(2) Pregnancy, menopause, or hormonal treatments, can impact hair growth cycles. Other than this,Stress hormones like cortisol can also disrupt hair growth cycles
(3)Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism lead to hair thinning or loss due to imbalances in metabolic processes.
(4)Deficiency of iron, protein, vitamin D, or other nutrients can also cause hair loss.
What is Saw Palmetto ?
· Serenoa repens, also known as Saw palmetto is a palm tree whose berries are used to support prostate health and manage BPH symptoms.
· Saw palmetto is usually found in the coastal regionsof southeastern United States, particularly in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. It typically grows in sandy, well-drained soils of pine forests and scrub areas.
What is Finasteride ?
· Finasteride is a medication that works by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). By lowering DHT levels, finasteride can help reduceslow hair loss.
Finasteride is available in pharmacies and online which you can buy only after prescription from healthcare providers. It is commonly sold under brand names such as Proscar (for BPH) and Propecia (for hair loss).
Written by Prerna Bisht
"A certified nutritionist and wellness coach, dedicated to helping people achieve healthier lifestyles."
