Introduction:
Hair loss and Alopecia is one of the common complaints seen now a days people are facing. Approximately 50 percent of us suffers from hair loss one or the other time during the life time. Hair loss is commonly seen in both male and female. Now a days kids are often seen with a complaint of hair loss too. Hair grows all over human skin except palm and soles. Hair is made up of protein called keratin, produced in hair follicle in the outer layer of the skin. Hair grows in a cycle of growth phase, rest phase and shading phase. More of a shading phase can lead to remarkable hair loss. On an average, approximately 50-100 hair loss per day is been considered normal however if the hair loss is consistent and more in numbers than it can be considered alarming.
What are the causes of Hair Loss?
Certain common causes that play part in enhancing the complaint of hair loss can be
- Hereditary
- Local fungal infection of the scalp
- Mental Stress
- Physical stress or truama
- Hormonal imbalance
- Hormonal changes in female after child birth or menopause or after birth control pills.
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome because of hormonal imbalance can lead to thinning of hair
- Nutritional deficiency like vitamin B deficiency, iron deficiency anemia, lack of protein in the diet
- Overdosing of vitamin A at times can also lead to hair loss.
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Chemotherapy
- Conventional medicines like blood thinners, antidepressant, anti hypertensive can also cause hair thinning.
- Using any kind of chemicals, dyes, excessive heat can damage the hair roots and can lead to thinning of hairs.
What are the types of Hair Loss/Alopecia?
There are different types of hair loss. They can be
- Androgenetic Alopecia: It is one of the most common type of alopecia seen. It is also known as Male Pattern Baldness or Female Pattern Baldness. Male Pattern Baldness is commonly seen by the age of 60 years. Can occur because of the hormonal changes and genetic factors. Male pattern baldness follows a pattern in which hair recedes at the temples making a M line over the forehead. Females can also have a similar male pattern baldness and it can run in family.
- Telogen Effluvium: Thinning of hair is not even overall. Some areas over the scalp has more thinning than others. Physical stress or trauma can can change the hair cycle placing more hairs into shading phase and leading to this type of hair loss.
- Alopecia Areata: It affects man. woman and children. Hair loss occurs in patches in a well defined circular area. If the hair loss spreads and covers the entire scalp it is called alopecia totalis. When the hair loss covers the entire body it is called alopecia univerdalis.
- Scarring Alopecia:The hair follicales are been permanently damages and been replaced by scar tissues over a gradual period of time.There may also be severe itching with burning and pain of the parts with complete destruction of hair follicles.
- Hair Loss due to cosmetic over processing: Many chemicals used in hair dyeing/hair coloring can lead to destruction of hair follicles. Repeated use of these chemicals over a prolonged period of time can damage the hair making them brittle and dry.
The complaint of hair loss can be effectively controlled using Homeopathic Medicines along with some self care. Constitutional Homeopathic medicines can help to get rid of this complaint effectively and permanently
Self Care Recommendations for Hair Loss/Alopecia
- Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables as antioxidants present in them encourages hair growth and protects the hair follicles.
- Biotin is needed for healthy hair and skin and can also prevent hair loss. Good source of biotin include brown rice, green peas, lentils, oats, soybeans, sunflower seeds, and walnuts.
- Lie with head low for fifteen minutes a day to allow the blood to reach your scalp.
- Massage your scalp daily. Massage over the scalp is very important. Massage improves the blood circulation. There is continuous new growth of hair over the scalp and good blood circulation enhances this growth. The best way is 50-100 times hair combing per day.
- Cover your hair when it is exposed to sunlight as long exposure to sunlight and seawater can damage the hair.
- Avoid rough treatment. Do not use a blow dryer or other heated appliances on your hair. Let it dry naturally. Do not comb your hair until it is dry as wet hair tends to break off easily.
Homeopathic Medicines for Hair Loss
Silicea: Silicea strengthens the hair and can be used as a growth enhancer. It makes the hair smooth and shiny.. Hair falling is seen causing premature baldness along with moist eruptions on scalp seen at times.
Kalium Carbonicum: Hair brittle and falls off easily. There is great dryness of hair. Hair loss from temple area and also from eyebrows and beards. There is itchiness of scalp with burning especially in morning and evening with oozing when the scalp is scratched.
Natrum Mur: Hair falls out from forehead, temples and also from beard. Scalp is sensitive to touch, Greasy scalp with dandruff. Hair loss due to hormonal imbalance or after emotional stress. Dandruff alternates with catarrh and loss of smell. There may be raw eczema with scabs and oozing the fluid from scalp making the hair worse.
Phosphorus : Hair falls in bunches and root of the hair turns grey. There is itchy scalp worse after scratching. Dandruff falls out in clouds..It enhances hair growth and promotes regrowth of hair.
Phosphoric acid: There is early graying of the hair. Very greasy hair with itchy scalp. Hair fall due to prolong grief or sorrow.
Thuja: Dry hairs that falls off easily. White scaly dandruff over the scalp. The scalp is very sensitive to touch or pressure. There are moist eruptions on occiput and temples, they are worse from touch and better by rubbing.
Graphites: Scalp feels bruised and cold. There is itchiness of the scalp and hair falls out from the sides of the scalp.
Carbo Veg: Hair falls out more from the back of the head. The scalp is itching in the evening on getting warm in bed and painful to touch. hairs are sore to touch and painful