Alopecia: What are its causes and symptoms? Can it be treated and cured?

Alopecia once again made headlines after Will Smith smacked Chris Rock at the Oscars.

The latter made a joke about the hairstyle of Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, who attended the ceremonies bald. In 2018, Jada made public her struggles about having Alopecia.

What is Alopecia? What are its causes? What are its symptoms? Can it be treated? 

Alopecia is an autoimmune disease that causes hair to fall out, often in clumps as large as a coin. It has various causes like family history, hormonal changes, radiation therapy, stress, and even hair treatments.

According to the Mayo Clinic, it can either be temporary or permanent.

Sometimes, it may also be a side effect of certain medications and supplements including those for cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, gout, and high blood pressure.

Alopecia’s symptoms include gradual thinning on top of the head, circular or patchy bald spots, sudden loosening of hair, patches of scaling over the scalp, or even full body hair loss.

In a 2017 episode of “Pinoy MD,” dermatologist Dr. Jean Marquez said there are two kinds of alopecia: Alopecia Areata and the Genetic Alopecia.

Alopecia Areata occurs when you’re stressed out, or when your immune system is down. The good thing about it, is that hair grows back and can be treated with hair stimulants.

Genetic Alopecia, meanwhile, is hereditary. It requires treatment, which usually takes about four months before hair starts growing again.

In extreme Genetic Alopecia, however, hair loss can be experienced even after receiving the treatment.

Alopecia can’t be cured, according to Web MD. But symptoms can be treated using anti-inflammatory drugs. 

Apart from Jada Pinkett Smith, personalities have opened up about having alopecia including Bea Benedicto, Kelley Day, and The Juans singer Carl Guevarra, who admitted that alopecia affects a person's self-esteem and brings with it mental exhaustion and psychological trauma. — LA, GMA News