SUMMARY OF INFLAMMATION HAIR LOSS

Inflammation hair loss refers to a range of conditions where hair loss occurs due to inflammation of the scalp and hair follicles. Inflammation can be caused by various factors, including autoimmune disorders, infections, or physical trauma, and can affect the normal growth cycle of hair, leading to hair thinning or baldness.

Some common types of inflammatory hair loss include alopecia areata, lichen planopilaris, and discoid lupus erythematosus, each with distinct characteristics and underlying causes.

A trichologist is an expert in hair and scalp health. They specialize in the science and structure of all hair types and hair and scalp conditions. Trichologists can help patients with everything from female and male-pattern hair loss to symptoms of alopecia areata. There are different levels of trichology with a certified or registered trichologist being the most educated. There are also Trichologist Assistants, Associate Trichologists, RN Advanced Trichologists, Hair Loss Consutants, and Hair Loss Practitioners.

Hair loss can have many factors such as nutrition and genetics. But one cause that is often overlooked is inflammation. In fact, inflammation is a symptom of many different conditions that can cause hair loss and plays a major role in causing hair loss associated with those conditions.

With a healthy immune system, inflammation is a protective mechanism meant to help protect the body from further infection and damage. However, when your immune system isn’t operating normally, inflammation can cause damage to otherwise healthy tissue. Unfortunately, inflammation hair loss can also become a chronic issue.

• Scalp inflammation can cause the body’s immune system to attack the hair follicles, resulting in alopecia or inflammation-based hair loss. While under attack from the immune system, the hair roots can’t get proper nutrition.

Our practice aims to provide each patient with the best results and overall experience possible. We accomplish this by focusing on the individual. Unlike many other clinics, we do not use sales representatives.

Please give us a call at (859) 800-0771 to schedule an appointment for a personal consultation.

At Rewind Trichology, your treatment will be supervised by a certified or registered Trichologist, Associate Trichologist, or Hair Loss Consultant, along with a Nurse Practitioner and a host of other professionals.

EARLY DETECTION OF INFLAMMATION HAIR LOSS IS OFTEN CRITICAL

Inflammation is a normal and important part of the body’s response to injury or infection. It’s a biological process that occurs when the body releases chemicals to trigger an immune response to fight off infection or heal damaged tissue.

Additionally, scalp conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis, which are known to cause inflammation of the scalp, can also lead to hair loss. The inflammation in these conditions disrupts the hair’s growth cycle and can result in temporary or, in some cases, permanent hair loss (Mysore et al., 2011).

Chronic inflammation can disrupt the balance of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the body, which can further affect hair health. For instance, elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) have been observed in cases of hair loss related to inflammatory conditions (Jahoda, 2006).

Inflammation hair loss can be diagnosed through clinical examination, blood tests, and sometimes a scalp biopsy to identify specific patterns of inflammation and exclude other causes of hair loss. Treatment typically focuses on addressing the underlying inflammation, which may involve the use of topical or systemic corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, medicated shampoos, topical medications, topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, moisturizers, or lotions.

Early intervention is crucial to prevent permanent hair loss. Moreover, following medical advice can manage symptoms and improve hair regrowth.

Symptoms include:

• Swelling
• Itchy, red spots
• Flaking and skin irritation
• Rise in temperature at the inflamed part of the body
• Redness
• Fatigue
• Pain
• Digestive Problems

Possible causes could be:

• Bacterial, fungal, or viral infection
• Allergic reaction
• Exposure to toxins
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Folliculitis
• Eczema
• Scalp ringworm (tinea capitis)
• Alopecia areata
• Psoriasis
• Low levels of physical activity
• Chronic stress
• Change in medication(s)
• Obesity
• An imbalance of healthy and unhealthy microbes in your gut
• Eating foods that cause inflammation
• Disrupted sleep and circadian rhythm
• Exposure to toxins
• Using tobacco products
• Drinking too much alcohol

References:

– Bertolini, M., Zilio, F., Rossi, A., & Piraccini, B. M. (2020). Androgenetic alopecia: a review. Endocrine, 69(1), 1-17.
– Esfahani, A., Jessri, M., & Mokhaei, M. (2019). Nutritional aspects of hair loss. Food Science & Nutrition, 7(2), 307-314.
– Gilhar, A., Etzioni, A., & Kulka, E. (2012). Alopecia areata. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 67(1), 128-133.
– Jahoda, C. A. (2006). Cellular and developmental aspects of androgenetic alopecia. Experimental Dermatology, 15(9), 483-490.
– Mysore, V., & Shashikumar, B. M. (2011). Scalp psoriasis. Indian Journal of Dermatology, 56(4), 715-718.
– Sardana, K., & Garg, V. K. (2019). Inflammatory causes of hair loss: Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Dermatologic Therapy, 32(1), e12732.
– Bolduc, C., Sperling, L. C., Shapiro, J., & Shapiro, P. (2016). Primary cicatricial alopecia. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 75(6), 1081-1099.
– Mirmirani, P., & Karnik, P. (2009). Lichen planopilaris: An update on pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 62(4), 574-586.