Alopecia and Alcohol

Alopecia is the slowing of hair growth in an area of the body where hair formerly grew. It may be caused by physical damage to the hair itself or to the hair follicles, but is most often the result of changes in the natural growth cycle of hair. In some types of alopecia, the growth cycle is disturbed by some temporary situation such as a chemical imbalance or stress. However, the vast majority of cases of hair loss in both men ( and women (female diffuse baldness) are genetic in origin. Alopecia and alcohol are said to be related but there hasn't been still any evidence to prove this fact.

Temporary hair loss may result from any shock to the body's systems, including systemic infection, starvation, childbirth, thyroid or immunologic disorders, drugs (especially chemotherapy for cancer), or stress. Hair follicles can be destroyed permanently by scarring from burns, X-ray therapy, severe scalp infections, or skin disorders. Damage may result from tight hairstyles over a long period of time, chemical treatments such as hair coloring or permanents, or the routine pulling out of the hair. A fungal condition called tinea capitis also results in hair loss. The causes of alopecia areata, or patchy hair loss, are not well known. It usually tends to happen in times of stress.

An appropriate treatment option depends upon the type of alopecia. Aggressiveness of the treatment depends on the patient's attitude and should be weighed against potential side effects. In many temporary forms of alopecia, the condition will begin to standardize without treatment. Surgery shall be indicated for highly motivated patients with baldness for which medical therapies are contraindicated or ineffective. Options include scalp reduction, hair transplants, and strip or flap grafts.

Drug Therapies

Male pattern baldness--minoxidil lotion, 2% to 5% applied twice daily; finasteride, 1 mg per day orally. Either drug must be used for an indefinite period to maintain regrown hair. If you use these medications, your physician should monitor you for side effects. Female baldness--minoxidil lotion, 2% applied twice daily. It must be used for an indefinite period to maintain regrown hair.

Alopecia areata is the most effective treatments involve steroid drugs, such as cortisone. Tinea capitis is an antifungal mediation such as griseovulfin, orally for 8 weeks, in combination with antifungal shampoo two to three times per week for 8 weeks. Complete entire course of treatment to prevent deterioration.

Even though it has been seen that alopecia and alcohol are related to some extent, there are even some medicines for alopecia based on alcohol. "101 Hair Regenerating Alcohol" is a Chinese medicine which was claimed that the "cure" rates for alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis were 91.7%, 83.4%, and 62.1% respectively. But less than 6% of the test group who were treated failed to respond to the treatment.