Living With Alopecia Areata

Understanding Alopecia Areata-Related Hair Loss

With alopecia areata, hair typically falls out in quarter-sized clumps, leaving you with exposed patches of skin on your scalp. You can lose hair in other places, too, like your eyelashes and eyebrows. Rarely, you may lose all your body hair.

The hair loss happens when your immune system misfires. Instead of attacking actual threats to your body, like bacteria and viruses, it takes aim at your hair follicles. The end result is damaged, inflamed follicles — and disheartening clumps of hair in your hairbrush.

The good news is that for some people, the hair grows back. But there are no guarantees. Sometimes, hair regrows but then falls out again. Other times, hair loss is permanent.

Managing Alopecia Areata

There are no cure-alls that can stop or reverse alopecia areata. But you can take steps to improve your chances of reducing the immune system flare-ups that have you noticing new bald spots. You can nourish your hair and scalp.

Take prescription medications

Your healthcare provider may recommend pills, injections or creams to calm the immune response that’s causing inflammation. Some may even encourage hair growth. Options include corticosteroids and topical immunotherapy you rub onto your scalp. Both can cause side effects, so be sure to weigh the pros and cons of each with your provider beforehand.

Try home remedies

Home remedies include foods that combat inflammation, like honey, onions, garlic and oatmeal.

Incorporate them into your meal prep or try rubbing them onto your scalp. These foods won’t stop alopecia areata, but they’re good for your skin and hair. They may potentially lessen pesky symptoms, like an itchy scalp.

Manage stress

Maintaining a healthy immune system is one of the best ways to cope with an autoimmune disease. In addition to eating nutritious foods, you can incorporate stress-reduction techniques, like meditation, mindfulness and yoga into your routine.

If you want to take stress reduction to the next level — self-care — you can get an aromatherapy scalp massage. Although more research is needed, some studies show that rubbing essential oils like thyme, rosemary, lavender and cedarwood into your scalp may help with alopecia areata. 

Ask your healthcare provider about new treatments

Combating inflammation and adopting a lifestyle that supports a healthy immune system have been the cornerstones of managing alopecia areata for years. But the treatment landscape has changed for the better. As of June 2022, there are now FDA-approved treatments available.

If you have this condition, ask your provider about new treatments. They may be able to prescribe medications that can help with alopecia-related hair loss.