28 November 2023 , 13:32
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TV presenter Louis Theroux is battling alopecia, causing him to lose some facial hair - including his eyebrows.
The 53-year-old broadcaster, who made headlines recently over his challenge to fight Piers Morgan in a boxing ring following his interview with Anthony Joshua, took to social media to show that his eyebrows had been affected. Back in January, he shared a picture that showed gaps in his facial hair and told fans it 'probably' resulted from his alopecia.
Louis is not alone, with around 1 in every 170 adults in the UK affected by one of the more common types of the condition, alopecia areata, which causes coin-sized patches of hair loss on the skin or body. Hollywood actress Jada Pinkett Smith has been very open about her battle with alopecia areata since her diagnosis in 2018. She initially used steroid treatment, wigs and headscarves to help conceal it. But in 2021 she accepted it for what it was - and shaved off all her hair, which she decribed as a 'freeing' experience.
There are many rumours and half-truths surrounding alopecia, and experts at Narayana Health have answered some of the most commonly asked questions about it:
What is alopecia?
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Alopecia is where hair falls out in small amounts. It is initially not really noticeable but the thinned areas eventually connect to form obvious patches of hair loss. While it commonly affects the scalp, alopecia can also lead to hair loss in eyebrows, eyelashes, and facial areas.
What is the trigger of alopecia?
Alopecia is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks hair follicles, resulting in hair loss. The specific cause remains unknown, but it often occurs in individuals with pre-existing autoimmune conditions like type-1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis. There is also a suspected genetic component in the development of alopecia.
Types of alopecia
Various types of alopecia exist, including:
- Alopecia Areata (Patchy): Coin-sized patches of hair loss on the skin or body
- Alopecia Totalis: Complete hair loss across the entire scalp
- Alopecia Universalis: Hair loss on the scalp, face, eyelashes, eyebrows, chest, and pubic areas
- Diffuse Alopecia Areata: Hair thinning across the entire scalp
- Ophiasis Alopecia: Hair loss along the sides and lower back of the scalp
Symptoms
The primary symptom of alopecia is hair loss, often noticed through clumps of hair on pillows or towels. It's common to notice hair falling from the back of the head.
Risk Factors
While the exact cause remains unclear, identified risk factors include:
- Family History: Genetic predisposition increases the risk
- Hormonal Changes and Medical Conditions: Hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy, menopause, thyroid issues, and scalp infections
- Medications and Supplements: Certain medications for depression, arthritis, heart disease, or cancer
- Radiation Therapy: Hair may not regrow after head radiation
- Severe Stress: Temporary alopecia may result from highly stressful events
- Certain Medical Conditions: Lupus and diabetes elevate the risk
Diagnosis
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Experienced doctors can often diagnose alopecia by visually assessing hair loss or examining hair samples under a microscope. Additional methods include scalp biopsies or blood tests to confirm the presence of alopecia and rule out underlying conditions.
How can alopecia be cured?
While there is no known cure for alopecia, treatments include applying medications to stimulate hair growth, steroid injections, and light therapy involving a combination of oral medication and UV light. Natural treatments, such as aromatherapy, acupuncture, aloe vera, onion juice, and various oils, are often explored, but their usefulness in combating the condition is not clinically proven.