1 Baldness (alopecia)

DEFINITIONS
Baldness (alopecia) is the loss of some or all of the hair.

Along with age, in men and women will decrease hair density.
Male pattern baldness has specifically related to the hormone testosterone. If a man does not produce testosterone (because of genetic abnormalities or castration), then he will have no such pattern baldness.
Women also have a special pattern baldness.

Alopecia occurs most often on the scalp, usually occurs gradually and may lose all scalp hair (alopecia Totalis) or only in the form of patches on the scalp.
Approximately 25% of men begin to experience hair loss at age 30 years and about two-thirds of men become bald at the age of 60 years.

The average scalp contains 100 000 hairs every day, an average of 100 strands of hair missing from her head.
Each strand of hair was 4.5 years, with growth of about 1 cm / month. Usually in year 5 and the hair will fall out within 6 months will be replaced by new hair.
Derived baldness caused by the failure of the body to form the new hair, not because of excessive hair loss.

CAUSE
- The causes can be: Descent
- Aging
-Changes in hormone
- Fever
- State of the local skin
- Systemic Disease
- Certain medications, such as those used to treat cancer or excessive vitamin A
- Use shampoo and hair dryer excessive
- Stress emotional or physical stress
- Behavior anxiety (hair pulling habit or scratching his scalp)
- Burns
- Radiation therapy
- Tinea capitis
- Trichotillomania.

SYMPTOMS
Male pattern baldness

Male pattern baldness is a particular pattern of baldness in men, caused by hormonal changes and heredity.

Baldness is due to the reduction of hair follicles that produce hair is shorter and softer. The end result of this situation is a very small hair follicles, which do not have hair.
The cause of the failure of new hair growth is not fully understood, but it is related to heredity and hormones androgens, primarily dihydrotestosterone from testosterone.

Male pattern baldness begins at the hairline, gradually, the hairline back form letter M.
Hair becomes finer and does not grow along earlier.
The hair on the crown also begins to thin and eventually the top end of the M-shaped hairline met with a thinning crown, forming a horseshoe-like hair loss.

DIAGNOSIS
Simply determine the type of baldness is only through the observation is sometimes difficult, because the skin biopsy was performed to help establish the diagnosis.
With a biopsy can be known state of the roots of the hair so that it can be determined the cause of baldness.

Male and female pattern baldness is usually diagnosed based on the pattern and picture of hair loss.

TREATMENT
Hair loss due to disease, radiation therapy or drug consumption, does not require special treatment.
If the illness get better or if treatment is stopped, the hair will grow back normally.
During the hair is still in growth, the patient can use a wig, hat, or other headgear.

Male and female pattern baldness is permanent. If patients do not feel disturbed by his appearance, hence require no treatment.

There are two types of drugs used to treat male and female pattern baldness are minoxidil and propesia.
Minoxidil applied directly to the scalp. These drugs can slow hair loss, but when its use is stopped, then the baldness will come back.
Propesia inhibit the formation of hormones that play a role in the occurrence of baldness. This drug is more effective than minoxidil and no effect on serum testosterone in the body.

Hair transplantation is done by lifting a small collection of hair from areas where hair is still growing and place them in areas experiencing baldness.
This can cause the formation of scar tissue in the donor area with a low risk of infection.
This procedure may be performed repeatedly and is expensive.

Another way that is safe and not too costly to overcome male and female pattern baldness is a sweeping change hair style or using a wig.

For the treatment of alopecia areata can do the following:
- Topical corticosteroids (applied directly to the scalp)
- Steroid injections subcutaneously (under the skin)
- Ultraviolet light therapy
- Applying materials to the area's bald iritatif to stimulate regrowth.

In trichotillomania, hair shaved head can maintain, but does not address the root of the problem.
Parents should help find the problem and get involved in treatment.
It is advisable to undergo psychological examinations.

PREVENTION
The following tips may help maintain healthy hair and hair loss can be minimized:

1. Eating a nutritious balanced diet.
2. Handle your hair gently. If possible, let your hair dry naturally.
3. Avoid tight hairstyles like braids, a bun or ponytail.
4. Avoid twisting, rubbing or pulling your hair.
5. Check with an expert hair care about hair styles or techniques that can help reduce the
effects of balding.
6. Drug minoxidil encourages new hair growth and prevent further hair loss in some people.
Other OTC hair growth products are not proven to have merit.