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Alopecia Related Hairloss
There are two key varieties of alopecia: scarring and non-scarring. The type of alopecia ascertains the ability to reverse the consequences and what kind of treatments can benefit. The scarring form of alopecia is likely to be less reversible. This kind is normally the end result of infections that cause inflammation around the hair follicles, which ultimately causes the hair follicles to be replaced with scar tissue. Most of the time it is because of deep bacterial and fungal infections (ringworm is an example) or an infection of the herpes zoster virus. The best case scenario would be to have a culture taken near the area with the problem. This may give you the opportunity to unearth the organism responsible for the infection and develop a treatment plan. Scarring alopecia could also result from a physiological trauma such as a chemical burn. Additional reasons could involve maladies such as lupus, syphilis, tuberculosis, and sarcoidosis. Additionally, tumors may cause scarring of the scalp, but this is more likely to be from the radiation treatment for the tumors.
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The non-scarring type of alopecia is the more common kind of hair loss. Male pattern baldness would fall under this category. Male pattern baldness is described as thinning hair and receding hairline. It usually commences when a man is in his late thirties or early forties, but it has started as early as late teens in some males.
Hormone-related hair loss may possibly happen to women and, more than likely, after menopause, during and after pregnancy and every during teenage years. Hormone-related hair loss is apt to be primarily a thinning of the hair and is not typically as widespread as it is for men.
Frequently, acute illness may initiate temporary hair loss. High fevers are inclined to be the main activation. The identical variety of alopecia has also been linked with certain medications, most markedly, drugs used for cancer chemotherapy.
Additional drugs that can be a factor in hair loss include: birth control pills, anti-inflammatory drugs, blood pressure medication, allopurinol, and anticoagulants. Although vitamin A is ideal for healthy skin and hair, extreme amounts of vitamin A can be toxic and may lead to hair loss. Glandular difficulties, mineral deficiencies, malnutrition, and surgery could also be a factor in hair loss.
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On occasion, hair can fall out in patches about the size of a quarter, and at the same time the surrounding areas seem normal. This malady is known as alopecia areata, and some researchers believe that it is caused by an immune system problem. The hair is likely to grow back, but recurring hair loss is normal.
Hair that is continuously pulled into tight braids or ponytails can be subject to hair loss as well, but it is usually temporary. Hair, however, that is subjected to chemical dyes, bleaches, hair sprays, toxic hair care products, and other harsh chemicals can undergo severe damage, not to mention allow those very same chemicals to leech into your body causing a number of other problems.
Demodex Folliculorum
This is a species of tiny mite that some researchers have linked to hair loss. According to studies, practically everyone has the mite by the time we reach middle age. In one study, the researchers believed that the occurrence of Demodex Folliculorum is age related. They said that in people up to 20 years of age, the incidence was about 25%; in people up to 50 years of age, the incidence was 30%; in people up to 80 years of age, the incidence was 50%; and in all aged 90 or older, everyone has it.
Researchers believe that a number of people lose their hair because their body reacts to the existence of the mites and instigates the inflammatory response as it tries to rebuff the mites. Unfortunately, when the inflammatory process kicks in and blocks the hair follicle and killing the mite—it also kills the hair! Be sure to read our complete article on Demodex Folliculorum: The Unseen Culprit.
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Heavy Metal Toxicity
A number of metals are naturally located in the body and are necessary to human health. One, for example, is iron that prevents anemia. Another would be zinc, which is a co-factor in over one hundred enzyme reactions. Both of these occur at low concentrations and are recognized as trace metals. In higher doses, they could be toxic to the body or create deficiencies in other trace metals. For example, an overload of zinc may cause a deficiency in copper, which is another trace metal needed by the body.
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Human exposure to heavy metals has escalated significantly in the last 50 years as a result of a rapidly developing increase in the use of heavy metals in industrial processes and products.
In the present day, chronic exposure comes from mercury-amalgam dental fillings, chemical residues in processed foods, lead in paint and tap water, chemicals in personal care products (shampoos/hair products, soaps, toothpaste, mouthwash and creams). Unfortunately, there is no avoiding the exposure to toxic chemicals and metals, and high concentration exposure is not essential to create a state of toxicity in the body.
Lead, cadmium, mercury, iron, aluminum and copper are the most frequent causes of hair loss. Other elements such as manganese, chromium, arsenic and titanium may be implicated as well. In addition, lithium and selenium toxicity have been well recorded as contributing agents in hair loss.
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Toxic metals normally do not show up in a blood test unless the person is sufficiently toxic. It will, however, show up in your hair or finger nails; especially if the person has been suffering from slow, long term exposure to the heavy metals.
Heavy metals do not move out of your body easily and have a tendency to accumulate in the joints, bones, liver and some metals, such as the unimaginably toxic mercury, can even cross over into your brain. They need to be removed by specific means such as vitamins, chelation therapy, detox clay baths and even your diet. People who suffer with hair in poor condition or hair loss should consider having their hair tested for toxic metals. It is one of the best ways to understand how the body is being affected and what must be done to correct the problem.
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