Men tend to lose their hair frequently, which can impact their confidence and, in some circumstances, entirely change how they feel about themselves. Men do fear beard hair loss too. Lead medical advisor at Chemist Click, Abbas Kanani, discusses Alopecia Barbae and explains why it occurs as well as how to prevent it.
There are numerous treatments and preventative remedies available on the market to assist with hair loss, but what about when men begin to experience beard hair loss? That may be a little more difficult.
What is alopecia barbae?
Alopecia Barbae is an autoimmune condition that affects facial hair and is a subtype of alopecia areata. Alopecia Barbae is an autoimmune condition that affects facial hair and is a subtype of alopecia areata. In essence, alopecia areata is a type of autoimmune hair loss that results in random, small, uneven patches of hair loss rather than the more frequent patterns of hair loss, such as a receding hairline or bald spot. The patches are often tiny in size and have no discernible pattern.
Small patches of hair loss are the most typical pattern of alopecia barbae hair loss; you can find that some areas of your beard have less hair than others or go entirely bald. Although this is rare and normally only affects patches, alopecia barbae could possibly cause you to lose all of the hair in your beard. Although it is not always permanent, it is very typical for this to happen periodically over many years, with some portions growing back and others not.
You may notice that tiny areas of your beard have less hair than others or go entirely bald as a result of the hair loss caused by alopecia barbae.
What triggers it?
Although the precise origins of this illness are unknown, stress and mental health issues may contribute. Another important factor is genetics; it is more prevalent in people who have a family member who has alopecia, allergies, or asthma. You are more likely to have it if you have an autoimmune disease such type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, or lupus. Alternatively, you are more likely to develop an autoimmune disorder than someone who does not if you have a relative who does. Other causes may include chemicals, drugs, and viruses, among others.
What signs are present?
Alopecia barbae can appear overnight, over the course of a few days, or even over several weeks. You might observe tiny circles the size of a two-pound coin that are covered in bald patches. As hair loss progresses, these rings might begin to converge. Before you start losing your hair, you can also notice that your skin is unpleasant and itching. The balding spots may also be red, irritated, or inflamed.
Preventive measures –
In contrast to hair loss, Alopecia Barbae is difficult to prevent because the exact reason is mostly unclear. You may be able to lower your risk by leading a healthy lifestyle with little stress and living well.
How should alopecia areata and hair loss be treated?
Alopecia Barbae is treated, although there is no known treatment for it. Finasteride tablets are frequently used as a treatment for hair loss. Different therapies for alopecia barbae produce variable outcomes based on the patient. Age, the amount of hair loss, and other lifestyle factors all affect the results.
Home cures are another option. Although they have not been shown to be effective in treating the condition, they might help to decrease or stop hair loss. Supplements with zinc and biotin as well as garlic may be beneficial. Aloe Vera, fish oil, essential oils, and wheatgrass are further natural remedies that may be beneficial.