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What are some steps to counteract hair loss at an early age like early 30's?

WillySiao (Male, 26)

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How Is It Treated?

Though there is neither a cure for alopecia areata nor drugs approved for its treatment, some people find that medications approved for other purposes can help hair grow back, at least temporarily. The next are some treatments for alopecia areata.

Remember that although these treatments may promote hair growth, none of them prevent new patches or actually cure the underlying disease. Check with your health care professional about the best option for you.

Corticosteroids – Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs similar to a hormone called cortisol, which is produced in the body.

Local injections – These are injections of steroids directly into hairless patches on the scalp and sometimes the brow and beard areas are effective in increasing hair growth in most people. It frequently takes about 4 weeks for new hair growth to become visible. Injections transport small amounts of cortisone to affected areas, avoiding the more serious side effects encountered with long-term oral use.

Oral corticosteroids – Such corticosteroids taken by mouth are a mainstay of treatment for many autoimmune diseases and may be used in more extensive alopecia areata.

Topical ointments – These are ointments or creams containing steroids rubbed directly onto the affected area are less traumatic than injections and, therefore, are sometimes preferred for children.

Minoxidil (5 percent) (Rogaine1) – Topical minoxidil solution promotes hair growth in several conditions in which the hair follicle is small and not growing to its full potential. Minoxidil is FDA-approved used for treating male and female pattern hair loss.

Sulfasalazine – (sulfa drug, sulfasalazine) in which, has been used as a treatment for different autoimmune disorders, including psoriasis. It actually acts on the immune system and has been used to some effect in patients with severe alopecia areata.

Topical sensitizers – Topical sensitizers are medications that, when applied to the scalp, provoke an allergic reaction that leads to itching, scaling, and eventually hair growth

Oral cyclosporine – Originally developed to keep people’s immune systems from rejecting transplanted organs, oral cyclosporine is sometimes used to suppress the immune system response in psoriasis and other immune-mediated skin conditions.

Photochemotherapy – Usually a treatment used most commonly for psoriasis, a person is given a light-sensitive drug called a psoralen either orally or topically and then exposed to an ultraviolet light source.

Alternative therapies – Once drug treatments fail to bring sufficient hair regrowth, some people turn to alternative therapies.

Adding up to treatments to help hair grow, there are measures that can be taken to minimize the physical dangers or discomforts of lost hair.

* Sunscreens are vital for the scalp, face, and all exposed areas.
* Eyeglasses (or sunglasses) shield the eyes from excessive sun, and from dust and debris when eyebrows or eyelashes are missing.
* Also, wigs, caps, or scarves protect the scalp from the sun and keep the head warm.
* Antibiotic ointment which is applied inside the nostrils helps to protect against organisms invading the nose when nostril hair is missing.
Disclaimer: Replies and Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on the opinions or information posted on this page. ALWAYS check with your personal physician or health care provider before taking any action regarding your health! MDinfo and our sponsors, partners, and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any replies or comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MDinfo does not endorse the views of any user of this site.





Stress can contribute to too much hair loss, even though heredity and other factors can play a part as well. Around the age of 30, both men and women start to lose more hair as part of the natural development of aging. Several people will start to lose their hair before the age of thirty and men tend to lose their hair more quickly than women.

Men are more likely to encounter hereditary hair loss as they age because the hormone testosterone contributes to the problem. Hereditary hair loss is not normally a result of too much hair falling out. If you are losing unnaturally, you may be experiencing stress-induced hair loss which is the physical stress and emotional stress.

There are two kinds of stress-induced hair loss: telogen effluvium and alopecia areata. Telogen effluvium is the less serious of the two and occurs when hair ceases to grow and then falls out 2 to 3 months later. The hair will normally grow back within 6 to 9 months.

Alopecia areata is more damaging. Your body's white blood cells hit the hair follicles as they would a foreign invader. The hair will fall out much more rapidly; normally within a few weeks and in clumps or patches. This kind of hair loss can result in the loss of the entire scalp and even body hair. The hair may grow back on it's own, but may sometimes need treatment.

Hair loss is just one of the many ways in which stress negatively affects your body, so it is important to discover ways to prevent and deal with stress. Simple relaxation and meditation can be very effective, as well as regular exercise and a healthy diet.
Disclaimer: Replies and Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on the opinions or information posted on this page. ALWAYS check with your personal physician or health care provider before taking any action regarding your health! MDinfo and our sponsors, partners, and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any replies or comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MDinfo does not endorse the views of any user of this site.

5min Life Videopedia







Baldness

BACKGROUND

Hair loss can be genetic (e.g., male pattern baldness) or reflect medical problems which are treatable. The latter include:

Treatable Causes

Low iron

If the hair loss is diffuse, think low iron (even if tests are “normal”) and other nutritional deficiencies.

Stress or infection

Hair loss and thinning can be seen 6-9 months after any severe stress or infection (called "Telogen Effluvium"). Hair grows back 3-9 months after stress resolves.

Hormonal imbalance

Even if tests are “normal,” low thyroid can result in hair loss.

If the hair loss is in the front of the scalp, the cause could be excess testosterone (in men) or too low an estrogen (in women) — see the online article Bioidentical Estrogen at the reference link below.

Autoimmune dysfunction

If spotty bald patches, see a dermatologist (the cause is usually autoimmune related — e.g., alopecia areata).

TREATMENT

Recommended Supplements

These natural supports can give marked benefit over time in helping grow thick and healthy hair.

Multi-nutrient powder

Optimize overall nutritional support with a good multi-nutrient powder.

Iron

Take an iron supplement until your ferritin blood test is over 100 ng/ml.

Biotin

Biotin can help strong hair or nails (available in Energy Revitalization System) at about 200 mcg. Can take an additional 1,000-2,000 mcg a day to help hair and skin health.

Saw palmetto

In men, if hair loss is in the front of the scalp, there may be excess conversion of testosterone to DHT (dihydrotestosterone). If blood tests confirm increased DHT, use the herb saw palmetto 160 mg 2x a day to lower DHT levels. It takes 6 weeks to resolve.

Medications

Minoxadil (Rogaine)

Minoxadil (Rogaine) is sometimes modestly effective for localized hair loss (like male pattern baldness) at a high cost — but it is reasonably safe.

Other Therapies & Advice

Optimize thyroid function

Optimize thyroid function and DHEA-s hormone levels. A holistic physician can help with this.

Hair transplants

Hair plug transplants for localized loss are also reasonable.

Related Information

Bioidentical Estrogen (Safety and Effectiveness of Bio-Identical Hormones)

View More



Managing Stress

Stress can hit you when you least expect it—before a test, after an accident, or during conflict in a relationship. While everyone experiences stress at times, a prolonged bout of it can affect your health and ability to cope with life. That’s why social support and self-care are important. They can help you see your problems in perspective…and the stressful feelings ease up.

Sometimes stress can be good. For instance, it can help you develop skills needed to manage potentially threatening situations in life. However, stress can be harmful when it is severe enough to make you feel over­whelmed and out of control.

Strong emotions like fear, sadness, or other symptoms of depression are normal, as long as they are temporary and don’t interfere with daily activities. If these emotions last too long or cause other problems, it’s a different story.

Symptoms of Stress

Common reactions to a stressful event include:

Physical or emotional tension are often signs of stress. They can be reactions to a situation that causes you to feel threatened or anxious. Stress can be positive (such as planning your wedding) or negative (such as dealing with the effects of a natural disaster).

  • Disbelief and shock
  • Tension and irritability
  • Fear and anxiety about the future
  • Difficulty making decisions
  • Being numb to one’s feelings
  • Loss of interest in normal activities
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nightmares and recurring thoughts about the event
  • Anger
  • Increased use of alcohol and drugs
  • Sadness and other symptoms of depression
  • Feeling powerless
  • Crying 
  • Sleep problems
  • Headaches, back pains, and stomach problems
  • Trouble concentrating

Tips for Self-Care

Photo: A depressed womenThe best ways to manage stress in hard times are through self-care:

  • Avoid drugs and alcohol. They may seem to be a temporary fix to feel better, but in the long run they can create more problems and add to your stress—instead of take it away.
  • Find support. Seek help from a partner, family member, friend, counselor, doctor, or clergyperson. Having a sympathetic, listening ear and sharing about your problems and stress really can lighten the burden.
  • Connect socially. After a stressful event, it is easy isolate yourself. Make sure that you are spending time with loved ones. Consider planning fun activities with your partner, children, or friends.
  • Take care of yourself.
    • Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet
    • Exercise regularly
    • Get plenty of sleep
    • Give yourself a break if you feel stressed out—for example, treat yourself to a therapeutic massage
    • Maintain a normal routine
  • Stay active. You can take your mind off your problems by giving—
    helping a neighbor, volunteering in the community, even taking the dog on a long walk. These can be positive ways to channel your feelings.
 

More Information

CDC works 24/7 saving lives and protecting people from health threats to have a more secure nation. A US federal agency, CDC helps make the healthy choice the easy choice by putting science and prevention into action. CDC works to help people live longer, healthier and more productive lives.

Content provided and maintained by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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