Alopecia Areata

Description

A condition of abnormal hair loss, alopecia areata occurs when odd bald patches appear suddenly, sometimes disappear, and may return again from time to time. Many factors can cause this condition, including cancer treatments, hormonal changes Pregnancy and Menopause), Infections (notably ringworm), poisoning (arsenic or cadmium), Stress, or deficiencies in the diet.

Nutritional changes may significantly improve scalp and hair condition. Only one medication has shown to benefit this condition - the Hypertension drug minoxidil.

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Herbs

Nutritional Supplements

B Complex (1)
Biotin
Evening Primrose Oil
Inositol
Niacin
Pantothenic Acid
Pyrodoxine
Riboflavin
Vitamin C
Vitamin E (2)
Copper (3)
Zinc (4)

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References

1. Rushton DH: Management of hair loss in women, Dermatol-Clin, 11(1), 47-53, Jan 1993
2. Powis G, Kooistra KL: Doxorubicin-induced hair loss in the Angora rabbit - a study of treatments to protect against the hair loss, Cancer-Chemother-Pharmacol, 1987, 20(4), 291-6
3. Mussalo, Rauhamaa H, Lakomaa EL, Kianto U, Lehto J: Elements concentrations in serum, erythrocytes, hair and urine of alopecia patients, Acta-Derm-Venerol, 1986, 66(2), 103-9
4. Slonim AE, Sadick N, Pugliese M, Meyers, Seifer CH: Clinical response of alopecia, trichorrhexis nodosa, and dry scaly Skin to Zinc supplementation: J-Pediatr, 1992, 121(6), 890-5

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