Compiled & Medically reviewed by
         Dr.Sanjana.V.B. Bhms. Dbrm.Cdn
 

 Homeopathy for hair loss

    Hair loss is a major health problem causing severe emotional trauma and depression to many who suffer from it in an intense degree. Hair loss has various causes and there are different categories of hair loss. The treatment for each type of hair loss is also different. 

   Medically, hair loss may be classified into various categories such as telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, male pattern alopecia or baldness, female pattern alopecia or baldness and hair fall from miscellaneous causes. Whatever be the causes of hair loss, it is a condition which leads to great emotional trauma to those suffering from it.

Sometimes baldness and hair loss of other kinds may lead people to the verge of depression. Therefore, hair loss is considered as a major health problem which should be addressed quickly and effectively with long term implications of cure. Hair loss is managed by medical professionals under the specialty “trichology” in various streams of medicine.

   Hair loss can be manifested in many different ways, depending on the causes. It can occur suddenly or gradually and it may affect just your scalp or entire body depending on the exact cause of hair loss.

        Signs and symptoms of hair loss

         ·        A common hair loss pattern in elderly women is a receding hairline (frontal fibrosing alopecia).

·        In men receding hairline from frontal area in ‘M’ pattern  and thinning of hair on top of head [vertex] is a common type of hair loss. It may appear in young and old population of males.

·        Circular or patchy bald spots. Some people lose hair in circular or patchy bald spots on the scalp, beard or eyebrows. Your skin may become itchy or painful before the hair falls out.

·        A physical or emotional shock can cause hair to loosen. Handfuls of hair may come out when combing or washing your hair or even after gentle tugging.

·        Losing the hairs from all over the body. 

What are the various categories of hair loss?

·        Telogen effluvium — this is a common form of hair loss happening after a few months of a major physical or mental stress such as a prolonged illness, major surgery or serious infection.

  A sudden change or fall in hormone levels may also lead to hair loss of this kind. It can happen in women after childbirth. Moderate amounts of hair fall out from all parts of the scalp in this type of hair loss. Although hair on some parts of the scalp may appear thinner, it may not lead to larger bald spots in telogen effluvium.

·        Male pattern baldness [androgenetic alopecia]

Genetic factor plays a key role in baldness. It is characterized by progressive loss of terminal hair of the scalp at any time after puberty.

Hair is lost in a well-defined pattern, beginning above both temples in males. Over time, the hairline recedes to form a characteristic "M" shape.

Hair also thins at the crown (near the top of the head), often progressing to partial or complete baldness.

 In male-pattern baldness, the hairline usually begins to recede at the temples first, followed by thinning at the top of the head. Gradually, the crown area becomes totally bald, leaving a fringe of hair around the back and sides of the head.

   Androgenetic alopecia in men has been associated with several other medical conditions including coronary heart disease and enlargement of the prostate as some of these disorders may be associated with elevated androgen levels.

Several genes play key roles in androgenetic alopecia, however variations in only one gene “AR” has been confirmed in scientific studies as the cause for male pattern baldness. Variations in the AR gene lead to increased activity of androgen receptors in hair follicles. Activation of the androgen receptor shortens the anagen or growth phase in the normal hair growth cycle.

 Androgenetic alopecia patients have higher production of dihydrotestosterone [DHT]and higher levels of 5 alpha-reductase and androgen receptors in balding scalp.

 There is a familial predisposition , with sons at a five to six time higher relative risk if their fathers were bald 

·        Female pattern alopecia  or baldness

  Androgenetic alopecia in females is known as female pattern baldness. It is characterized by thinning of hair and widening of hair parting line. Diffuse hair loss radiating from the top of the head follows later.

     A woman's  frontal hairline rarely recedes, and  rarely become bald in this type of hair loss unlike male pattern alopecia. 

It can start any time after the onset of puberty, but it comes to notice around menopause, when hair loss typically increases. The risk rises with age, and with positive history of the same in family.

    Genetics play a great role in female pattern baldness, it is also linked with increased androgen hormones activity. It can also result from an underlying condition, such as overproduction of androgen [male hormones] or an androgen-secreting tumor on the ovary, pituitary, or adrenal gland. In either case, the alopecia is likely related to increased androgen activity. If  an androgen-secreting tumor is suspected, it's very necessary to measure androgen levels in women with clear female pattern hair loss.

·        Alopecia areata — This is an autoimmune disease that causes hair to fall out in one or more small patches. That is, our own immune system acts against hair follicles . Alopecia can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or race.

     The exact cause of this hair loss is unknown, although it is more common in people who have other autoimmune diseases. When total hair is lost from scalp beyond patchy loss, it is known as alopecia totalis.

·        Tinea capitis (fungal infection of the scalp)

 Patchy hair loss happens when this fungi infect the scalp. This causes the hair to break off at the scalp surface and the scalp to flake or become scaly. Tinea capitis is a common form of patchy hair loss in children. 

·        Drug  effects

 Side effects of certain medications, including lithium, beta-blockers, warfarin, heparin, amphetamines and levodopa (Atamet, Larodopa, Sinemet) may lead to hair loss.  

Cancer chemotherapy drugs such as doxorubicin (Adriamycin) — commonly cause sudden hair loss affecting the entire head. 

·        Hair loss can be one of the symptoms of  certain systemic or generalized diseases of your body, such as systemic lupus erythematosus SLE (lupus), syphilis,  thyroid disorders (such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism),  nutritional deficiencies etc.

·        Severe mental or physical stress is another cause of hair loss. 

·        When hair loss is the result of telogen effluvium or medication side effects, the hair loss usually is all over the head, while in tinea infections and alopecia areata, the hair loss occurs in small patches. Hair loss from tinea infections can cause scaling of the scalp or areas of broken hairs that look like black dots.

·        In traumatic alopecia, the area of hair loss depends on the method of hair injury.

When should you think about hair loss treatment?

An individual normally lose around 50 to 100 scalp hairs each day. If more than this numbers is  the falling out or you may find unusually large amounts of hair in brushes, on clothing, and in the drains of sinks and tubs consider it seriously.

 Sometimes you can find that your hair is getting thinner or that the partition line of usual hair is becoming wider, or that one or more bald patches have appeared. This is also an indication that you must consult a hair specialist to address the problem.

What role does homeopathy play in hair loss management?

Homeopathy treats the individual affected with hair loss, taking into account various factors such as cause of hair loss, individualized characteristics of the affected person, age, extent &type of hair loss etc.

Homeopathy offers a few medicines for hair loss based on the parameters aforementioned.

Some of the important hair loss medicines are:

1.     Natrum muriaticum

It is prescribed for hair loss from infections, stress and autoimmune causes in indicated cases. 

2.     Lycopodium clavatum- A deep acting constitutional remedy ,hair loss from hormonal disturbances.

3.     Kali carbonicum- hair loss in females ,dandruff, hair loss in temple areas of scalp.

4.     Kali sulphuricum- hair fall from dandruff

5.     Phosphorus- it is a deep acting constitutional remedy  hair loss from dandruff.

6.     Arnica- hair growth promoter by improving circulation.

7.  .     Thuja – hair loss from dandruff.

[Disclaimer- Please take homeopathic medicines only under the guidance of a qualified homeopathic doctor in appropriate dosage. Over the counter medications may have adverse effects and we do not recommend it as homeopathy requires proper case taking, clinical examination, lab investigations , evaluation and analysis of each case in an individualized manner and selection of most appropriate remedy with proper strength & dosage for cure of any clinical condition]

Medically reviewed by Dr.Sanjana V.B BHMS dbrm Cdn

References

1.     https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/androgenetic-alopecia/#:~:text=Androgenetic%20alopecia%20is%20a%20common,a%20characteristic%20%22M%22%20shape.

2.     https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430924/