Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disease that results in hair loss on the scalp and any other parts of the body. People also know it as
Patchy Hair Loss. It occurs in males and females of all ages but most often the onset can be seen in
childhood. This common but very challenging and capricious disease affects approximately 1.7 percent of the world population and can have a profound emotional effect on social life of the patient. Compare to other types of hair loss, Alopecia Areata is most commonly seen condition in the routine clinical practice of a Dermatologist. Alopecia Areata is non- scarring hair loss where hair follicles remain live and chances of re-growth will be good with proper treatments. Alopecia areata usually starts with a small bald patch on scalp but in some cases, it can be seen on other part of the body too. Alopecia patch on beard is known as
Alopecia Barbae, complete hair loss on scalp is known as
Alopecia Totalis and entire body hair loss is known as
Alopecia Universalis. Due to unpredictable behavior of alopecia areata, patient becomes depressed and also feel isolated.
Ophiasis Alopecia Areata shows a band like hair loss.

Ayurveda is the traditional medicine of India, which originated there over 5,000 years ago. Ayurveda has described alopecia areata as Indralupt and natural treatment there are many natural treatment options given in the ancient books of Ayurveda. Using Ayurveda and Naturopathy concepts,
Dr. Rohit Shah has developed a highly effective and 100% safe topical natural treatment which has given new hope for those who are suffering from stressful condition named alopecia areata. After graduation in Ayurveda, Dr. Rohit started research on which are the best natural treatment options for various types of Hair loss. During his clinical practice, Dr. Rohit Shah successfully treated global patients with customized topical natural treatments. The beauty of Dr. Rohit's treatment is
no oral or injectable medications to deal with alopecia areata. Dr. Rohit's website
https://www.alopeciacure.com/ is working as a successful cyber clinic since 1990.
What are the symptoms of alopecia areata ? How it may progress ?
The typical pattern is one or more bald patches appear on the scalp or any other part of the body. These tend to be around in shape, and about the size of a large coin. A family member, friend, or hairdresser may be the first person to notice the bare patch or patches. Apart from the hairless patch, the scalp usually looks healthy. In few cases, the patient may feel redness, scaling, mild burning, or a slight itchy feeling on an affected part. Quite often the bald patch or patches re-grow hair within a few months. If hair grows back it may not have its primary color and looks grey or white. The original color eventually returns after several months. Sometimes, the initial hairless patch re-grows hair whilst a new bare patch is developing. Often several small hairless patches develop and merge into a larger bald area. Patches on body hair, beard, eyebrows, or eyelashes can be seen in some cases. Large bald patches develop in some people. Whole scalp hair loss is known as alopecia totalis and complete body hair loss is known as alopecia universalis. The nails are affected in about one in five cases and can become pitted or ridged. When a bald patch first develops, it is difficult to predict how it will progress. In some patients, cyclical or seasonal pattern is also seen.
However this type of pattern is rare and difficult to treat. Alopecia areata behaves in a different way in every patient. When a bald patch first develops, it is difficult to predict how it will progress. However here are a few classifications of how it may progress.
A small, round, non - scarring smooth patch which can be seen on any part of the body. When a bald patch first develops, it is difficult to predict how it will progress. There is no perfect diagnostic test for alopecia areata through which we can find out the perfect trigger factors.
In a few patients of alopecia areata, patches can be seen on facial hair like beard or mustache which is known as alopecia barbae. Compare to scalp, alopecia barbae takes more time to be healed. In some individual, alopecia barbae can be seen along with alopecia areata on the scalp.
Patient with repeated transient alopecia areata but never converts into alopecia totalis. The hair loss in these patients lasted longer than those with primary alopecia areata and sometimes associated with seasonal recurrences. In a few patients, the initial hairless patch re-grows hair whilst a new bare patch is developing.
In a few patients, complete scalp hair loss can be seen but other parts of the body are unaffected. This type of hair loss is known as alopecia totalis. Alopecia totalis is very difficult to treat however hair follicles always remain to live in such conditions so re-growth can be seen at any stage of life.
In a few patients, several small hairless patches develop and merge into a larger bald area. It could be a highly progressive phase and some of them may convert into alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis. Those patients who find the presence of regenerated vellus hairs in a few areas after few months have good prognosis.
Ophiasis type of alopecia areata shows a band like hair loss. It occurs mostly in the temporal regions of the scalp and is therefore more difficult to treat, as most medicines have a delayed action on these areas. Usually it starts from the back of the head and then spreads towards the sides and up above the ears.
In a few chronic cases of alopecia areata, nail involvement can be seen. Brittleness, fragility, and pitting of the nail can be seen in those group of patients who have been suffering from alopecia areata for many years or the condition has converted into alopecia universalis.
This is an extreme stage of alopecia areata. In such conditions, entire body hair loss can be seen including eyebrows, eyelashes, mustache, beard, and other parts of the body. Alopecia universalis is extremely difficult to treat. The prognosis will be poor if the patient is suffering from this condition for 3 years or more time.
Common causes or triggers for alopecia areata
It's yet not perfectly understood what causes alopecia areata. For some reason, follicles stop producing visible hair, resulting in smooth bald patches that can appear overnight. Researchers are trying to determine what triggers the disease, and whether it's from within the body or from environmental factors. There are no diagnostic tests available which can predict the onset and behaviour of alopecia areata. All though medical science does not know the perfect cause of alopecia areata, a few suspected triggers are :
- Extreme Stress
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Genetic tendencies
- Environmental triggers
- Long illness
- Some Medicines
- Local skin disease
- Pregnancy
- Vaccines
- Nutritional deficiency
What are the limitations and side effects of modern conventional treatments ?
Conventional skin doctors have very limited options when patient comes for the treatment of alopecia areata. Most popular treatment is using corticosteroids as an immune suppressants. Patient has to take steroids either oral or injectable routes. Some doctors also prescribe steroid ointment for topical applications. Steroid gives very quick effect to re-grow hair on the patches of alopecia areata but that results may not be permanent. Once patient stops using steroid, the chances of recurrence will be very high. Long term use of steroids is not recommended because it may cause serious side effects like osteoporosis, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, glaucoma and cataracts, weakened immune system leading to greater cases of infections, muscle weakness, easy bruising and thinning of the skin, etc. The other most popular drug is Minoxidil but it was invented for genetic baldness, not for alopecia areata. Minoxidil is less effective for the treatment for alopecia areata and it also has side effects like irritation, Itching, dryness and redness, burning on the scalp. In the severe cases of alopecia areata like alopecia universalis, some doctors give diphencyprone (DPCP) or squaric acid dibutylester (SADBE) treatment as topical immunotherapy. All those drugs are known as chemical irritants used to stimulate hair follicles. This treatment is very uncomfortable and results may not be permanent.
Meaning - Conventional treatment (like corticosteroid, minoxidil) does not have a permanent cure for alopecia and Long term use of such treatment is not recommended. In mild cases, steroid gives temporary results but in chronic cases, patients should try alternative options.
What is Ayurveda and Naturopathy ? Why Dr. Rohit's natural treatment is better compare to other options? Which oils & herbs are used in the treatment of alopecia areata ?
Ayurveda is the traditional medicine of India, which originated there over 5,000 years ago. Ayu means "life" and Veda means "science." Ayurveda means the science of life. Ayurveda and Naturopathy are alternative medicine that focuses on holistic approach to treating the disease. The concept of Dr. Rohit's treatment is based on Ayurveda and Naturopathy books. The treatment is completely customised for every individual. The products are prepared according to history given by the patient, types of alopecia, age, gender, weather of the country etc. The treatment contains natural oils, extracts and mask. Applications are very convenient that anyone can use it at home. The mode of application does not disturb office hours. The products do not contain any perfume, fragrance or colours. The products are prepared at a registered Ayurveda pharmacy under the strict norms of Ayurveda. The main oils and herbs used in the treatment are..Sesame Oil, Coconut oil, Motiya (Jasmine), Amla (Emblica officinalis), Bhringaraj (Eclipta alba), Gotu kola (Centella asiatica), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Licorice, Musk root (Nardostachys jatamansi), Nutgrass (Cyprus rotundus), Indrayan (Citrullus colcynthis) (Bitter apple), Indian licorice (Gunja) (Abrus precatorius), Daru Haridra (Berberris asiatica), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Karanj (Pongamia glabra), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia) and few other ayurveda herbs. Topical Ayurvedic herbs and oils are effective to stimulate hair follicles and have proven a safe and better alternate to cope up with alopecia areata. However the exact pharmacological action of these herbs and oils are not yet known.