Alopecia Areata (Alopecia Areata): causes, symptoms and treatments in Geneva

What is alopecia areata, or alopecia areata, and how to recognize it?

Alopecia areata, also called alopecia areata, is an autoimmune disease that manifests itself by hair loss in patches. In Switzerland, and particularly in Geneva, many patients suffer from this form of alopecia which can affect both men and women .
This pathology is distinguished by sudden hair loss in circular areas, mainly on the scalp, but it can also affect the eyebrows, beard and other parts of the body.

Differences between Alopecia Areata and Alopecia

Although these terms are often used interchangeably, alopecia areata is an umbrella term for any form of hair loss, while alopecia areata is a specific form of autoimmune alopecia. Here's a table that summarizes the main differences:

Type of alopecia	Features
Alopecia areata (alopecia areata)	Plaque-like hair loss, usually temporary, of autoimmune origin
Androgenetic alopecia	Progressive and permanent hair loss of hormonal origin
Scarring alopecia	Irreversible loss due to permanent damage to the follicles
Diffuse alopecia	Uniform hair loss over the entire scalp

What causes alopecia?

Alopecia areata is mainly caused by an autoimmune reaction, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, resulting in hair loss or body hair loss. Factors that can trigger or worsen this condition include:

Genetic factors: Having a family member with an autoimmune disease increases the risk of developing alopecia areata in a hereditary manner.
intense stress: although not a direct cause, stress can trigger episodes of alopecia areata in the short or long term.
infections: some viral or inflammatory infections can cause flare-ups..

There are many causes of alopecia. Here is a non-exhaustive list of other potential causes that may be at the origin of alopecia.

Signs and Symptoms of Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata or alopecia areata is characterized by well-defined, often circular, areas of hairlessness. The loss is usually sudden and the patches are smooth, with no signs of inflammation or visible scarring. In more advanced cases, alopecia may extend to the entire scalp and face (alopecia totalis) or to the entire body (alopecia universalis). Although most patients do not experience pain or itching, some may notice mild tenderness in the affected areas.

What sets Alopecia Areata apart from other forms of alopecia is the unpredictable nature of regrowth. Hair may reappear without treatment in some areas, but disappear in others, making the progression of the disease difficult to predict.

Diagnosis and treatment of alopecia areata in Geneva

The diagnosis of alopecia areata is usually clinical, based on visual examination of the affected area. If necessary, blood tests or a biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis and exclude other pathologies.

Treatments for alopecia vary depending on the severity of the condition. Several treatments exist, including:

Corticosteroids: These are often used to reduce inflammation around hair follicles.
PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) injections: this technique promotes hair regeneration by stimulating cell growth, without always being effective.
Natural treatments: Some people opt for natural treatments, such as essential oils, although their effectiveness varies and is not scientifically proven.

IN CONCLUSION

At the Clinique du Cheveu in Geneva, you can make an appointment with our specialist doctors, who will be able to guide you towards the treatment best suited to you.