The loss of hair comes naturally with age and many people suffer from this. Natural hair loss can be attributed to genes; in other words, it can be hereditary. However, recently people are noticing rapid hair loss in patches and it looks ugly in the mirror. This ailment which is known as Alopecia; affects both genders without disdain, children and teenagers are no exception to it. This disease is a major cause of depression and anxiety and takes its toll emotionally; especially amongst teenagers.

Alopecia
This ailment is such that it can transpire on any part of the human body where there is hair, even the pubic region; though it is a temporary condition in many cases. Nonetheless, if left untreated the malady can become permanent.

• In men, this ailment is known as androgenetic alopecia and teenager are very vulnerable to it.
• The female form of this ailment also goes by the same name and if it transpires then it looks very repulsive; however, it is a rarity.
• The permanent hair loss in this ailment is known as Cicatricial alopecia or scarring alopecia. The loss of hair in any particular region is permanent as the follicles are destroyed and a patch takes its place.

Short-lived hair loss

• This type of hair loss or alopecia is known as areata monolocularis and can transpire in any hairy part of the body. However, if hair loss is experienced in the whole the condition is called alopecia universals.
• If there is a hindrance in the normal growth cycle of the hair the hair loss condition is known as Telogen effluvium and this sort of a condition comes suddenly.
• Women who indulge in various hairstyles suffer from a condition called Traction alopecia; so it advised not to tie tight ponytails and other such hairstyles where the hair is stretched or pulled.

There are other reasons which give impetus to hair loss and they are prolonged medication, improper nutrition, chemotherapy, and ringworms.

Diagnosing Alopecia
The symptoms of this ailment are quite conspicuous and genetic history also contributes towards it. However, a doctor can determine this only after checking your fallen hair. The tests which can confirm your ailment are as given below.

• You need to pull your hair and see how many have been pulled out from the roots and they get checked in a laboratory.
• A sample of the skin tissue needs to be checked.
• If skin tissue test shows a negative result, then the only option is a punch biopsy; this involves the testing of the deeper part of your skin.
• A screening test helps in removing all doubts.

Though there is no known alopecia treatment and about half of the patients tend to grow back their hair in a year’s time without treatment and the remaining 10% need medical supervision. Certain natural and at times holistic alopecia treatments have shown good results; to know more about them read on.

Henna paste promotes hair growth, so it is advised to use henna paste for alopecia treatment. The usage of chemical products may have an adverse effect, so avoid them. The other herbs which have shown their efficacy in treating this ailment are Xanthoxylum clavaheculis, ginkgo biloba and rosmarinus officinale as they help in increasing the circulation of the blood of the scalp, thus giving impetus to hair growth. The herbs which stimulate the hair follicles and encourage hair growth include Avena Sativa and a herb called Echinacea.