Diffuse alopecia: what it is, its causes. Hair loss treatment for women and men

Features of the problem

For a girl, curls are an indicator of her self-care. Scientists have proven that dull and sparse strands indicate vitamin deficiency or complete exhaustion. While thick and shiny curls indicate the harmony of all processes occurring in the body.

Even during the times of Kievan Rus, a long braid was the pride of any female representative. For men, luxuriant hair is not such a significant indicator of beauty, however, thinning of the scalp also serves as evidence of a disorder in the functioning of the body.

Wanting to understand what diffuse alopecia is and how to treat it, you need to turn to the medical classification of diseases. The definition of this phrase is hair loss over the entire surface of the scalp, which is consistent and symmetrical. If a healthy person experiences a loss of 25 to 125 units per day, which is considered normal, then the disease is accompanied by a loss of 150 to 1000 or more per day.

It is necessary to turn to human anatomy to understand the mechanism of baldness. Before appearing on the surface, the hair goes through several stages of formation: ● Anagen phase. The first stage, during this process, active division of cells responsible for growth is observed, pigment (melanin) is produced, which ensures the presence of a certain shade of the strands and the shaft appears. The duration of such manifestations ranges from two to seven years. ● Catagen phase. The activity of this stage is manifested by abundant growth, the duration is fourteen days. The follicle shrinks, melanin production stops, and the rod departs and moves to the epidermis (skin). ● Telogen phase. The final process of the cycle, which consists of the bulb entering a state of rest, individual curls falling out and being easily removed during combing procedures. The stage lasts about ninety days and precedes the birth of a new hair.

What to do about excessive hair loss

The disease can develop rapidly or gradually. Typically, rapid development is observed during radiation, chemotherapy or poisoning with strong poisons. In such cases, the main and most serious problem is not so much alopecia as the very reason for its formation. In this case, other symptoms must be present, such as weakness, dizziness, possibly vomiting, and so on. In such situations, you must immediately seek help from the nearest clinic or call an ambulance. Patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy should talk to their doctor, who will explain to them that the hair will grow back on its own after the treatment is completed.

If hair loss is not associated with the serious reasons described above, then you should consult a trichologist. A trichologist is a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of hair, in particular those that grow on the head.

Under no circumstances should you try to solve the problem yourself. Even if you think you know why you are losing your hair. Only after an examination can you understand the exact cause of alopecia, and therefore choose the right treatment.

To determine the type of alopecia and the cause of its development, during the consultation, the trichologist collects family history, information about the patient’s health status, the presence of any chronic diseases, recent illnesses or infections, medication use, lifestyle and occupation. After this, the doctor examines the hair follicles and performs a series of tests:

• a test using a Wood's lamp allows you to determine the foci of pathological processes in the skin, for example the presence of fungus;
• Hair pulling test, where you take any hair around the area of ​​baldness and lightly stretch it. Where the hair is healthy, it remains in place; in the “loose hair” area, the hair is easily removed;
• videodermatoscopy allows the trichologist to obtain all the data on the condition of the patient’s skin, hair and hair follicles, as well as determine the type of alopecia;
• phototrichogram is an alternative to videodermatoscopy.

To accurately determine the causes of alopecia, the trichologist must prescribe a number of diagnostic tests:

• Microscopic examination of the bald area and hair shafts to determine fungal infections.
• Spectral analysis of skin appendages allows us to determine the microelements they contain necessary for the normal development and growth of hair;
• Analysis of the bioelemental composition of hair determines the concentration of various substances contained in it. The data obtained are a mirror reflection of the endogenous tissue content of various elements and their level of excretion from the body. This test is especially important for determining the removal of harmful and toxic substances from the body, since a similar analysis of other biological materials, such as blood or urine, can only determine acute poisoning after recent intoxication.
• Serological blood test and RPR test to exclude or detect syphilis;
• Blood test for total antibodies to hepatitis C, HBS antigen.
• General and biochemical blood test to identify or exclude anemia, liver disease and other pathologies.
• Determination of serum iron and ferritin in the blood allows us to clarify the hypochromic or hyperchromic type of anemia.
• For hyperchromic anemia, a test is prescribed for homocysteine, blood levels of folic acid and vitamin B 12.
• Genetic studies of folate metabolism make it possible to identify genetic polymorphisms associated with folate cycle disorders. The test is also prescribed when hyperchromic anemia is detected.
• Screening for the presence of autoimmune diseases, including testing for IgG to the most common nuclear antigens. This is especially true for women.
• Determination of blood glucose levels to exclude diabetes mellitus.
• A set of tests to determine the functioning of the endocrine system, including tests such as: analysis of thyroid hormones (T3, T4, TSH);
• LH and FSH are pituitary hormones;
• DHEA-SO4 is the main precursor of sex steroids;
• androstanediol glucuronide and dihydrotestosterone are indicators of enzyme activity that enhances the effect of androgens in peripheral tissues;
• testosterone is total and free.

Basic hair treatments and alopecia

At the first sign of baldness, many people try to deal with the problem at hairdressers, who can offer them a number of procedures:

• Massage of the scalp - normalizes tissue trophism and nutrition of hair follicles, which helps improve hair growth. Massage also promotes relaxation, calms nerves and reduces stress levels. Massage really helps, but must be used in combination with other treatment methods. Violation of the trophism of hair follicles must be treated not only locally, but also in general. First of all, you should determine why the blood circulation in the scalp is impaired and prescribe therapy to eliminate this problem. If the cause of alopecia is different, then a head massage can slow down the development of the disease, but not cure it.
• Botox for hair is the latest product, which contains botulinum toxin, amino acids, proteins and a complex of vitamins. The essence of the method is to relax the scalp muscles and deeply nourish the hair follicles. The method works well for split ends, brittle and weakened hair, but there is no sufficient evidence base on its effectiveness for alopecia. Additional nutrition of the hair follicles should, of course, have a positive effect on the condition of the hair, however, in the case of alopecia, it is better to use proven treatment methods.
• Keratin straightening is a method of applying liquid keratin and a special straightener to the hair. After the procedure, the hair becomes straighter, silkier and more beautiful. However, seemingly healthy hair is not actually that way. Suffice it to say that this method is prohibited in the USA, Canada and some European countries due to the hazardous substances contained in the procedure solutions. Of course, in the case of alopecia, such manipulations with hair should be avoided.

Diet for alopecia

The problem of excess weight forces many people to resort to various diets, but few do it correctly. Most simply limit themselves in food or follow fashionable trends, such as vegetarianism or calorie counting, but do not take into account the daily complex of micro- and macroelements necessary for the human body. As a result, such diets can cause baldness.

On the other hand, following a proper nutritious diet, which allows you to saturate the body with essential vitamins and minerals, prevents the development of vitamin deficiency, which can also cause alopecia.

Thus, a diet for alopecia is necessary, but it must be selected by a nutritionist after a thorough examination and determination of the level of basic micro- and macroelements in the body.

Classification

Depending on the factors of appearance and further symptoms, the disease occurs in two scenarios: 1. Telogen effluvium. Disruption of the developmental cycle can cause hormonal imbalance, in most cases it manifests itself in women within 1–3 months after childbirth. This type of occurrence is characterized by a rapid transition from the first phase to the third. The clinical picture shows that more than 80% of the follicles go into a dormant state, while in a healthy person this indicator is 15%. It is the dysfunction of the internal organs that gives rise to the development of this form of the disease. If they are cured, everything stops. 2. Anagen. The appearance of this type is explained by radiation exposure or an excess of vitamin A in the body, as well as long-term use of medications with an increased concentration of this useful substance. It is characterized by a decrease in the thickness of the rod, which leads to the impossibility of further germination of strands; the curls with follicles at rest are the first to separate. This form of the course is accompanied by complete baldness and occurs in a short time (a period of no more than two weeks) after exposure to the factor.

Types of baldness

Today there is no unified classification of alopecia. In our country, it is customary to classify alopecia based on its development and the nature of baldness.

Due to the development of the disease, there are:

• Androgenic, or androgenetic alopecia, associated with high levels of masculinizing steroid hormones and genetically determined increased sensitivity of the papilla to male hormones. This is the most common form of baldness and involves thinning and gradual loss of hair. In this case, in men, the condition of the front hairline initially worsens, gradually turning into baldness and moving towards the parietal part, often forming a horseshoe shape. In women, the disease begins to develop from the crown, in the area of ​​the central parting, and gradually spreads to the side surfaces of the head.
• Seborrheic alopecia is baldness that develops against the background of seborrhea, associated with a violation of the neuroendocrine regulation of the sebaceous glands, leading to increased sebum secretion. The disease is characterized by diffuse hair thinning and subsequent baldness.
• Symptomatic baldness develops as a symptom of some pathology. In this case, alopecia is considered not as a separate nosological disease, but as a manifestation of other ailments, such as syphilis, vitamin deficiencies, connective tissue diseases, consequences of poisoning or radiation. In this case, various forms of baldness can develop: diffuse, focal, scarring or total. In most cases, when the underlying disease is cured, alopecia also goes away.
• Traumatic baldness develops as a result of physical or chemical damage to the hair and/or hair follicles, such as chemical or thermal burns. This also includes trichotillomania, a mental disorder in which the patient pulls out hair on his head or other parts of the body.
• Premature or hereditary alopecia is baldness that develops at a young age, while the patient’s history shows a familial nature of the disease. This form of baldness is often accompanied by a hormonal disorder in the direction of increasing male hormones, so it is often referred to as androgenetic alopecia. However, there are cases of hereditary alopecia occurring against the background of normal hormonal balance, so it is advisable to distinguish this form of baldness as a separate type.
• Presenile and senile alopecia (presenile and senile) develops against the background of aging of the body and is natural. With proper care and nutrition of the skin and hair follicles, this process can be significantly slowed down.
• Alopecia of unknown etiology and pathogenesis is baldness, the causes of which could not be determined.

According to the nature and form of baldness, they are distinguished:

• Focal or patchy baldness is the formation of bald spots, especially noticeable on the head. The disease develops as a result of autoimmune pathological processes in which cells of the own immune system attack the cells of the hair follicles. The exact causes of the development of the disease are still unknown; it is believed that heredity plays an important role in this case. There are several subtypes of alopecia areata: focal, multifocal, subtotal and total baldness, as well as ophiasis - hair loss in tortuously spreading foci, with the formation of a smooth skin surface.
• Diffuse alopecia is a uniform thinning of hair over the entire head followed by baldness. Diffuse alopecia occurs as a result of disruption of the entire body, usually due to the development or exacerbation of some general diseases or stress, so sometimes this form of baldness is classified as symptomatic. Diffuse alopecia is the second most common of all types of baldness. There are two subtypes of diffuse baldness: telogen effluvium (telogen miasma), when, as a result of some factor, such as stress, poor diet, hormonal imbalances, up to 80% of the hair follicles on the head enter the resting phase (telogen) ahead of schedule.
• anagen alopecia (anagen miasma), when under the influence of some factors, usually more aggressive than with telogen effluvium, such as radiation, chemotherapy, poisoning with certain poisons, hair follicles do not have time to enter the telogen state and hair falls out in the anagen phase, that is, at the growth stage.

The Small Medical Encyclopedia distinguishes seborrheic, premature, symptomatic and focal forms of baldness, as well as:

• Scarring alopecia is baldness that develops as a result of the formation of scar tissue in the area of ​​the hair follicle. The cause of scarring may be trauma, an inflammatory process that leads to the formation of a scar in its place. Scarring alopecia accounts for 1-2% of all cases of baldness. It is impossible to restore the hair follicle at the site where the scar has been forced; only surgical transplantation of healthy follicles can be an effective treatment.
• Congenital alopecia is a rare form of baldness, which is manifested by partial thinning or, less commonly, complete absence of hair. Usually the condition is combined with cutaneous or ectodermal symptoms, such as thinning or dystrophy of the nails, pathology of dental development, and so on. In most cases, the disease has a hereditary or genetic etiology.

According to the course of the disease, they are distinguished:

• temporary alopecia (anagen and telogen miasma);
• chronic (androgenic);
• malignant (ophiasis) should not be confused with malignant tumors.

Causes of the disease

One of the explanations why alopecia occurs more often in women than in the stronger sex is exhaustion of the body. This is the root cause of impaired follicular development. Being under constant nervous tension (stress) or following strict diets affects every organ and the body as a whole.

After doctors conducted a number of surveys and studies, a list of factors accompanying hair loss was compiled: 1. Loads. Stress can be attributed to physical and mental health. Diffuse baldness is equally likely to develop in women - after any type of surgery, prolonged exposure to high temperature, heavy bleeding, or changes in hormonal levels. 2. Chronic diseases and previous infections. We are talking about problems with the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, the presence of dermatitis, various infections, and allergies. The presence of such a symptom as baldness is observed with HIV and Syphilis. Infections that are also accompanied by hair loss: lupus, tuberculosis, typhoid, influenza strains, malaria. Basically, based on psychosomatic research, any infection can lead to baldness due to the individual's individual reaction. 3. Deficiency of nutrients. With a small amount in the body and an insufficient dose of proteins, minerals and vitamins, the development of similar pathologies of strand growth is observed. In some cases, the cause of diffuse alopecia in women was low selenium levels - improvements were observed after treatment and its harmonization with medication. 4. Taking medications. At every step today we are told about the complications of taking medications, but few people take this problem seriously. There are several groups of drugs that give rise to one form of the disease: cytostatic; to prevent the formation of blood clots; for the treatment of Parkinson's; vitamin A analogues; adrenoreceptor and H2 blockers; means that relieve cramps. 5. Radiation. Due to an accident or deliberate exposure to radiation, uniform loss of hair on the head is observed.

Diffuse alopecia

Among all hair diseases, non-scarring hair loss accounts for more than 80%, i.e. it is the most common cause of hair loss, affecting 30–40% of people under the age of 50. As a pronounced cosmetic defect, baldness often leads to psycho-emotional discomfort, reducing the quality of life, and causes both social problems due to restrictions in choosing a profession, employment and social prospects, and economic problems due to the duration of treatment and its high cost. Despite the long history of this problem, the issues of etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of non-scarring alopecia are still not well understood, and modern terminology is confusing. Available statistical calculations on the prevalence of hair diseases are often contradictory; there is no data on a comprehensive study of hair pathology.

According to modern publications, in recent years there has been a tendency to increase the number of patients with diffuse hair loss [3, 10–13]. Complaints of hair loss are often made by middle-aged women, but attention should be paid to the fact that no clear incidence rate has been recorded. According to F. M. Meng and Yu. V. Oleinikov (2005), in the structure of visits to medical and cosmetology clinics, hair diseases reach 8%, and the number of initial visits has increased 1.5 times over the past year. The true prevalence of hair diseases is much higher, since a significant number of patients do not seek medical help, considering increased hair loss to be a normal condition. Patients visit a doctor when there is a pronounced aesthetic change, when the parting becomes noticeable and the scalp becomes more noticeable (i.e., visible) through the hair [10, 12, 19]. Daily hair loss (up to 100), uniform over the entire surface of the scalp, is a normal physiological process. However, under the influence of various external and internal factors, the synchrony of hair cycles is disrupted and excessive hair loss occurs (up to 1000 hairs per day), which leads to alopecia [18]. To disrupt the biological rhythm of hair growth, exposure to environmental triggers alone is not enough—certain genetic characteristics of the organism are required [7].

As mentioned above, the classification of the different forms of diffuse alopecia is confusing. If we follow the systematization of diffuse alopecia according to the clinical and morphological characteristics of hair loss, then it can be divided into telogen effluvium and anagen effluvium. Androgenetic alopecia is often classified as diffuse baldness. Androgenetic alopecia is fundamentally different from the previous two. First, this hair loss has typical hair thinning or balding in the frontal and/or parietal areas. Secondly, with androgenetic alopecia, the main links in the pathogenesis are the excess content of androgens in the body tissues or the increased sensitivity of specific receptors to them, as well as a local disorder of androgen metabolism [7, 16]. The fundamental difference between these forms of diffuse alopecia is reflected in the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision. According to this classification, androgenetic alopecia and non-scarring hair loss, which includes telogen and anagen hair loss, can be distinguished separately.

The pathogenesis of non-scarring hair loss is complex and remains poorly understood. However, it has now been established that various types of toxic effects or metabolic disorders affect hair growth, which leads to hair thinning. At the same time, we observe an increase in the ratio of vellus hair to shaft hair. Etiological factors affect hair in the anagen phase, since during this period hair follicles have high metabolic activity. This contributes to a reduction in the anagen phase (growth phase) and a faster transition of hair to telogen (loss phase). Thus, as a result, an additional amount is added to the already existing number of hairs in the telogen stage, which leads to excessive hair loss. A change in the ratio of telogen and anagen hair is caused by a failure in the processes of division and differentiation of keratinocytes, a disruption of metabolic processes located in the growth zone of the hair follicle [7, 10]. A decrease in the size of the dermal papilla itself is a direct consequence of a decrease in the number of its constituent cells, a certain part of which is spent on replacing the connective tissue bursa cells lost during progressive vertical movements of the hair follicle in the catagen (intermediate phase) and/or early anagen phases. As a result of such cell migration, follicular miniaturization becomes progressively continuous and develops at a much faster rate, since the anagen phase is shortened. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is capable of regulating the cycle of a mature hair follicle, which exhibits a decrease in vascularization upon entering the catagen phase and restoration of vascularization at the early anagen stage. This factor is synthesized by various cells, including keratinocytes and fibroblasts. VEGF has been proven to be a growth factor in dermal papilla and hair follicle cell cultures. In mature hair follicles, VEGF is found in the inner and outer epithelial hair root sheaths and the dermal papilla. Thus, VEGF is a molecule that plays a key role in ensuring adequate capillary blood flow in the dermal papillae and stimulating hair growth [7].

J. Headington (1993) identifies five functional types of telogen hair loss.

1. Premature completion of the anagen phase is the most common reaction of follicles to the action of provoking factors. Hair follicles, which should have been in the growth phase for a long time, prematurely enter the telogen phase and the process ends with profuse hair loss 3-5 weeks after exposure to the provoking factor.
2. Late completion of the anagen phase, characteristic of postpartum hair loss. Most follicles (due to hormonal changes during pregnancy) are in the growth phase and do not enter the catagen phase until the baby is born. After childbirth, these follicles quickly enter the catagen phase, which leads to hair loss 1-2 months after birth.
3. A shortened anagen phase, which is considered an idiopathic process, and at the same time there is an inability to grow hair to the usual length.
4. Premature completion of the telogen phase, which is characterized by a significant shortening of the resting phase, which contributes to the rapid entry of the follicle into the next growth phase.
5. Late completion of the telogen phase. It is observed in people living in conditions of short daylight hours.

Telogen effluvium can occur in both acute and chronic forms. But in any case, with non-scarring alopecia, complete baldness does not occur. Acute telogen effluvium lasts less than 6 months and then resolves spontaneously or with therapy; chronic lasts more than 6 months, sometimes for several years. Patients with chronic telogen effluvium note persistent and severe hair loss with a wave-like course of the process [9, 10].

Anogen effluvium is a sudden loss of hair caused by exposure to chemical agents or radiation. In this case, hair falls out without entering the telogen phase. Sudden hair loss usually occurs 1–3 weeks after exposure to chemicals or radiation. This most often occurs during the treatment of malignant tumors, which is carried out using radiation or cytostatic agents. In most cases, hair loss caused by chemotherapy is completely reversible. Sometimes the newly grown hair turns out to be healthier and stronger than the hair that fell out [12].

Several etiological factors can be identified that lead to disruption of the growth process in the hair follicle and, accordingly, different types of diffuse alopecia can be distinguished.

Diffuse alopecia due to infections. Diffuse hair loss can be observed after influenza, malaria, infectious mononucleosis, pneumonia, brucellosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, syphilis, and HIV infection. With prolonged and recurrent fever, each attack causes damage to the hair follicles at the same phase of their activity cycle. Baldness occurs 2–2.5 months after a severe attack of fever [2, 17].

Drug-induced diffuse alopecia. Depending on the dose and duration of medication use, anagen alopecia may develop at high doses, and telogen effluvium at low doses. Medicines that provoke hair loss include the following groups of drugs: retinoids, antiparkinsonian drugs, β-blockers, anticoagulants, anticonvulsants, H2-receptor blockers, cytostatics.

Diffuse alopecia in deficiency conditions. Iron deficiency leads to diffuse alopecia even in the absence of anemia, as do deficiencies of zinc, chromium, selenium, protein nutrition and vitamin B12 deficiency [1, 17]. A common cause is protein-calorie malnutrition. Hair roots react to protein deficiency very quickly: the hair acquires signs of dystrophy - the diameter of the hair decreases, and the growth rate noticeably decreases. Secondary protein deficiency develops with malabsorption syndrome, enteropathy, disturbances in the processes of absorption and breakdown, which is observed in various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract [10].

Diffuse alopecia in chronic diseases. Classic causes of hair loss are endocrine disorders, in particular hyper- and hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism typically affects the eyebrows. The same symptom also occurs with syphilitic hair loss and atopic dermatitis (Hertoghe's sign). The following diseases can also be distinguished: erythroderma, psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus, etc.

Alopecia is psychosomatic. Excessive hair loss was observed during wars: it was a consequence of stress, surgical interventions, and accidents.

Idiopathic chronic diffuse alopecia. In some patients, it is often difficult to identify the causes of hair loss, and therefore a diagnosis of idiopathic chronic alopecia is made. However, during diagnosis, one should not forget about the presence of androgenetic alopecia. V. P. Adaskevich et al. (2000) indicate that in almost 40% of patients with complaints of diffuse hair thinning, a thorough examination reveals elevated levels of androgens in the blood serum.

Interesting are the studies of lipid metabolism in the hair follicle conducted by A. V. Samtsov and A. A. Bozhchenko (2007). From the conclusions made by the authors, it follows that the hair follicle is one of the most metabolically active structures of the human body, requiring certain components and energy sources for adequate production of healthy hair. Lipid metabolism in the hair follicle occupies a very important place in the process of formation of integral substances of the hair shaft and can be adequately supported by certain pharmacological drugs. Among the substances that can act as a kind of building material for the structural components of hair and provide energetic support for the processes of synthesis of specific cytokeratins, we can highlight: 6-Od glucose linoleate, taurine, catechins and zinc gluconate [16].

In recent years, many authors have noted the existence of a connection between alopecia and deficiency of a number of microelements. After all, the microelement composition of hair determines its physical properties, shape, color, thickness, elasticity, and growth rate. Hair without sufficient zinc content grows poorly, without selenium and silicon it becomes thinner and brittle, and excess silicon can increase the “wavyness” of the hair. Disorders of copper and manganese metabolism are associated with premature graying of hair [14, 15]. Thus, T. A. Malova (2005) found that all the children with alopecia she examined had a pronounced imbalance of microelements. The author has established a deficiency of the following essential microelements: iron, manganese, copper, zinc, calcium. Selenium deficiency was detected in 100% of children.

Treatment. When complaining of hair loss, a diagnostic program is traditionally prescribed to identify pathologies of the thyroid gland, central nervous system, diseases of the ovaries and adrenal glands, liver, immune system, etc. in order to establish the true cause of baldness. Treatment often begins with external therapy, which consists of applying lotions, balms, masks, gels to the scalp, preparations containing alcohols, tinctures of red pepper, ether, and prescribing electrophoresis of biologically active substances. For oral administration, doctors recommend vitamins C, PP, A, and for injection - vitamins B6, B1, B12. Long-term intake of zinc is recommended (multivitamin complexes, dietary supplements, the composition of which is specially selected for hair treatment). All these methods are well known to practicing dermatologists and cosmetologists, but we would like to focus on more modern medications for the treatment of hair loss.

Recent studies indicate the effectiveness of homeopathic medicines in the treatment of various types of alopecia [4–6]. By complementing traditional treatment, homeopathic medicines expand treatment options. Homeopathy, having existed for more than two hundred years, has proven itself to be an effective therapeutic method, with almost no side effects. Homeopathic medicines activate the body’s reserve forces in a special way and belong to the so-called “regulatory” therapy. The effect of using these drugs is the result of the interaction of the substances that make up them. What they have in common is a regulatory and stimulating effect due to the inclusion of autogenic mechanisms in therapeutic processes. According to the basic principle of homeopathy, homeopathic substances in low potencies act primarily at the physical level on the corresponding organ, focusing on the symptom, which allows them to have a targeted effect on a specific disease. Selencin is a complex homeopathic medicine that includes homeopathic remedies that are effective for various causes of baldness. The effectiveness of this drug in the treatment of diffuse alopecia has been proven by clinical observations [4, 5, 8]. The drug Selentsin is prescribed 8 granules 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals or 1 hour after meals against the background of usual therapy or as monotherapy. Taking the drug should last from 6 to 12 months or more. The breaks between monthly courses are 1–2 weeks. Children under 10 years of age are prescribed 5 granules 3-5 times a day 30 minutes before meals or 1 hour after meals.

Among the modern topical drugs recommended for the treatment of baldness, minoxidil, aminexil and tricosaccharide are currently used. The most interesting substance is a tricosaccharide, marketed under the trade name Foltene Pharma, against hair loss for men and women. An important quality of this medicinal substance is a differentiated approach to the treatment of alopecia in men and women. Foltene lotion for men consists of three active components with synergistic activity: Tricosaccaride + biovitamin complex + Zanthin. Tricosaccaride is a patented active substance consisting of a mixture of six mucopolysaccharides, which are physiological components of the scalp, which allows for complete similarity between the active substance and the scalp. Tricosaccharide has the ability to penetrate the inner layers of the hair follicle and regulates the exchange of nutrients between blood and tissues. The second component is a biovitamin nutritional complex, which is a mixture of vitamins and amino acids. And the last component is Zanthin - an effective antioxidant of plant origin, which is 500 times more effective than vitamin E. Foltene Pharma shampoo for men also contains tricosaccharide, which in combination with lotion enhances the therapeutic effect. Foltene Pharma lotion for women operates on the basis of the synergistic effect of two active compositions: tricalgoxyl (a special substance created from seaweed, rich in polysaccharides) and a biomineral complex.

Thus, diffuse alopecia is a multifactorial disease that is determined by a polygenic system that determines hereditary predisposition and trigger factors that reduce the threshold of this predisposition. The variety of theories of metabolic disorders and their effect on the hair follicle indicates the complexity of the pathogenesis of this disease, which sometimes explains the lack of effectiveness of therapy.

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Yu. A. Gallyamova, Doctor of Medical Sciences Al-Hajj Hassan Khaled M. P. Chernyshova RMAPO, Moscow

First signs

It is worth noting that this type of pathology is observed in abundance in females, which is explained by the peculiarities of the processes occurring in the human body, depending on gender. The rarest cases of such disorders were found in children and adolescents. The main symptom of diffuse hair loss in women and men is uniform baldness of the entire surface of the head, along with this, doctors note: 1. Widening of the parting. You can observe a sluggish increase in the epidermal line, or a sharp detection of the lumen of the skin of the scalp. 2. Hertog indicators. In this case, the symptoms are described by thinning of the skin and loss of eyebrows or eyelashes. 3. Deterioration of the condition. The strands often begin to break, get tangled, become significantly dull and change their shade, making it possible to easily pull out a hair.

Please note that if you notice several or at least one symptom, sign up for a consultation with a trichologist and undergo an examination in order to prevent a deterioration in your health.

Diagnostics

When checking for symptoms that contribute to the formation of bald spots, it is necessary to undergo an examination and tests from a number of specialists: trichologist, endocrinologist, dermatologist and gastroenterologist. The presence of central nervous system diseases, endocrine disorders and sexually transmitted infections must be excluded. A visit to specialist doctors will help to display the condition of internal organs and identify the cause of existing indicators of disorder in the functioning of the body. In addition, the patient is required to undergo one of a number of procedures to confirm the conclusion: ● trichoscopy; ● phototrichogram; ● narrowly focused testing for microelements; ● specialized laboratory tests.

There are the following types of elimination of diffuse hair loss and thinning in women: 1. Medicines; 2. Stimulation; 3. Physiotherapy; 4. Folk remedies.

Please note that when trying to cure the appearance of bald spots, traditional recipes can be used only after consultation with a doctor and full confidence that such measures will not harm the patient’s health.

Recommendations and unique recipes for home use

There are a huge variety of traditional methods for treating alopecia, and it would be wrong to completely abandon them.

Onion juice for alopecia

Onion juice has a beneficial effect on hair growth, strengthens hair follicles, stimulates blood circulation, and has bactericidal and immunostimulating properties. In addition, onions contain vitamins and minerals important for hair, including sulfur.

Onion recipes:

• Place a towel soaked in very warm water on your head. After a few minutes, when the scalp is warm, apply pre-prepared fresh onion juice to it. After 30 minutes, wash your hair thoroughly.
• Mix 50 ml of honey heated in a water bath with a raw egg and grated medium onion. Rub the mixture into the hair roots for 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly, using a mild shampoo.
• For seborrhea, you need to grind 2 cloves of garlic and one small onion into a paste, mix and apply to the hair roots for 30-40 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

Bay essential oil for alopecia

Bay oil is made from the bark of the bay tree. It stimulates blood circulation, improves trophism of hair follicles and scalp, nourishes hair along the entire length, has antiseborrheic, antipruritic and antiallergic effects, reduces flaking of the skin and prevents split ends.

Bay essential oil is very easy to use. It should be mixed in a ratio of 1:10 (one part oil to 10 parts product) with any medicinal or care product, such as hair shampoo. Then use the product as usual.

Salt against alopecia

Treating baldness with salt has been known to people since ancient times. Salt cleanses the skin well, enriches the epidermis and hair with essential minerals, in particular magnesium, calcium, sodium, iodine and chlorine. Salt has antibacterial and antifungal properties, stimulates blood exchange and tissue regeneration. It is used for special massage, as well as for the production of various medicinal salt products.

Recipes using salt

• Apply a little sea salt to the scalp moistened with warm water and rub it in with gentle movements until completely dissolved. After this, rinse your hair with soft running warm water.
• Mix honey heated in a water bath with salt in a one to one ratio. Beat the mixture in a mixer until a homogeneous thick foam forms. Apply foam to hair roots and wait 30 minutes. Wash your hair with soft warm water.
• Heat 50 ml of honey in a water bath, mix with one tablespoon of cognac and 50 grams of salt, beat everything in a mixer and apply to the hair roots for 30 minutes. Rinse hair with warm soft water.

Salt must be used carefully, as it is not suitable for dry, brittle and damaged hair.

In reality, there are many more home remedies for treating baldness. There are simply countless of them. Some methods are recognized by official medicine, while others are considered dubious. But we can definitely say that an integrated approach to solving the problem, combining folk and traditional methods, will give the best result. However, in no case should you self-medicate or rely only on traditional medicine. Before starting treatment, a thorough examination must be carried out, the cause of alopecia must be identified, the hair type must be determined, and only then an individual course of therapy must be selected. You should not resort to traditional methods without consulting an experienced trichologist.

Drug treatment

It consists of taking medications with a focus on restoring hormonal levels or eliminating factors that caused the appearance of pathology. Most often used in combination with stimulation. It is achieved using various external means: specialized shampoos, masks and gels. One of the variations of this group of drugs designed to restore the growth of strands is a product called Selencin. The manufacturer offers the use of cosmetics in the form of shampoo, conditioner, spray and lotion, along with medications. The advantage is an integrated approach to treatment: ● Elimination of causes by taking medications; ● Stimulation of curl germination and strengthening, which is provided by lotions and sprays; ● Restoring thickness through the use of masks.

Specialized studies have shown that with constant use of Selencin products, hair loss stops within two months.

Without fail, the doctor prescribes a course of vitamins of groups A, B, C, PP in tablets along with zinc. Another way to stimulate is to take drugs made from plants. The use of such substances as treatment is not available at all times of the year, and is recommended only after testing and individual consultation.

Physiotherapy

Such treatment is reflected in the prescription of a set of procedures that do not harm health. ● Iontophoresis; ● Scalp massage with essential oils; ● Microcurrent therapy; ● Mesotherapy.

Undergoing physical therapy has a number of advantages: ● targeted impact with the likelihood of affecting a certain area of ​​the skin; ● does not cause allergies; ● increasing the duration of remission; ● possibility of use in a complex.

In addition, a specialist may suggest the use of infrared rays, nitrogen, paraffin and acupuncture.

Prevention

Having examined the main causes and methods of treating diffuse hair loss in men and women, we will consider measures to prevent the disease. The development of pathology can be avoided if a number of measures are taken. 1. Watch your diet. 2. Spend proper time on carefully washing your curls and caring for them. 3. Wear hats in summer - to protect from sun rays, and in winter - from temperature changes, and as a result, poor blood circulation to the scalp. 4. Avoid heavy physical activity and stress. 5. Take vitamin complexes in autumn and spring. It is at this time that micronutrient deficiency peaks. 6. Avoid exposure to radioactive radiation. 7. Consult your doctor about the side effects of taking medications. 8. Have a full examination every six months or year. 9. Maintaining the balance of nutrients in the body with proper nutrition. Inclusion in the diet in the required amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. All of these methods affect the strengthening of the immune system, which has a positive effect on overall health. This helps to avoid disruption of the normal functioning of the body.

When does diffuse hair loss develop and how long does it last?

Severe hair loss usually develops on average after 3 months from exposure to the causative factor and can last up to 3-4 months, despite concomitant treatment. Proper hair growth begins after eliminating the trigger factor, and volume restoration occurs according to growth standards, which is about 1-1.5 cm per month. Diagnosis of hair loss is relatively complex: it is necessary to collect a detailed history, exclude possible deficient conditions, conduct a phototrichogram, and, based on the totality of the examination results, prescribe effective treatment.

Complications

The worst option is complete loss of hair in the upper area of ​​the skull, and a number of radical measures are used: ● A set of injections; ● Transplantation from other areas of skin with normal vegetation. During injections, the effect occurs on the subcutaneous layer in order to stimulate the follicles for their transition to the growth stage.

Strand transplantation surgery is an effective, but expensive and complex procedure. It usually lasts more than twelve hours. The positive effect can be tracked six months after surgery. A photo of the patient throughout the course of the disease and rehabilitation reflects the effectiveness of treatment procedures to eliminate diffuse alopecia.

If pathology occurs due to factors that can be eliminated, restoration and germination of a full amount of hair will occur much faster than with other causes of the disease.