Alopecia Areata & Stress

Stress is a common occurrence affecting most of us at some point or another. This stress can stem from family affairs, marriage and relationships, friendships and work. Stress generally manifests itself in symptoms such as headaches, constant fatigue, unexplained aches and pain and mental fatigue, but in some people it can also manifest itself as hair thinning and hair loss (alopecia).

Stress

• Stress can wreak havoc on your body as well as your hair. Each time you become stressed your heart rate and breathing increases and your body sends adrenaline in abundance, preparing you for your natural 'fight or flight' response. If you are stressed more than usual, your body will react in this way every time. (According to Helpguide.org, the more your body is exposed to this reaction, the more you are at risk of several health conditions like heart disease, digestive disorders, depression, obesity, sleep problems and unexplained pain)(See References 1). Long-term exposure to stress can also lead to autoimmune disorders, which are known to cause hair loss. Hair loss as a result of stress is called telogen effluvium.

Telogen Effluvium

• Alopecia is defined as hair loss. Hair loss associated with stress is called Telogen Effluvium. Although this isn't scientifically proven, doctors have associated telogen effluvium with patients who have gone through trauma or stressful events. (According to American Hair Loss Association, at any point in time, 10 to 20 percent of our hairs are in telogen (resting) stage, while 80 to 90 percent are in active growing stage.)(See References 2) With Telogen Effluvium, an abnormal amount of hair enters into this telogen stage causing increased hair loss or hair thinning.

Symptoms and Signs

• Symptoms of Telogen Effluvium are much the same as the beginning of most forms of alopecia, which is noticeable hair thinning from the scalp. TE can affect any area of the scalp and any amount of hair. Chronic Telogen Effluvium can cause hair loss or thinning to the eyebrows, eye lashes and pubic hair. Although TE can affect any area of the scalp, the top of the scalp tends to be more affected than the sides.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis of Telogen Effluvium, is based on medical history and a scalp examination. In the medical history portion of your exam, you will be asked a series of questions about any medical conditions you may have as well as questions relating to your everyday life. During the scalp examination, your physician will examine the thinning areas, and may tug on a few hairs to see how easily they come out. You will be given blood tests to rule our hormonal imbalances, and autoimmune diseases; and in rare circumstances, your physician may ask to do a scalp biopsy to determine the cause if, diagnosis is not gathered by the other tests performed.

Treatment

• Even with the hairs falling out, hair growth is still possible, since the hair follicles remain alive unless damaged by scarring. There are no FDA-approved hair growth formulas to treat Telogen Effluvium, but there are treatments sold without FDA approval, that are being used currently with effective results. The first course of action would be to manage the stress. Next your doctor may give you Minoxidil (Rogaine) topical solution to apply to the affected areas. This is used to stimulate hair growth and is also available over the counter.