Hair loss: Dr Ranj discusses causes of male pattern baldness
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Treating hair loss requires zeroing in on the root cause of the problem. The array of possible causes has prompted researchers to cast the net wide when looking for possible remedies. One of the more surprising findings is the role onion juice can play in treating alopecia areata.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease, which means your immune system mistakenly attacks a part of your body.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), the first sign of alopecia areata is often a round or oval bald patch on the scalp.
According to research published in the Journal of Dermatology, onion juice can help to treat these patches.
The study sought to test the effectiveness of topical crude onion juice in the treatment of patchy alopecia areata in comparison with tap water.
The patients were divided into two groups. The first group (onion juice treated) consisted of 23 patients, 16 males and seven females.
The second group (tap-water-treated) consisted of 15 patients, eight males and seven females.
The two groups were advised to apply the treatment twice daily for two months.
So, what did the researchers find out? Regrowth of terminal coarse hairs started after two weeks of treatment with crude onion juice.
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Terminal hair is the thick, long, pigmented hair found on the scalp, face, armpits, and pubic area.
At four weeks, hair regrowth was seen in 17 patients, and, at six weeks, the hair regrowth was observed in 20 patients and was significantly higher among males compared to females.
In the tap-water treated-control group, hair regrowth was apparent in only two patients at eight weeks of treatment with no sex difference.
“The present study showed that the use of crude onion juice gave significantly higher results with regard to hair regrowth than did tap water, and that it can be an effective topical therapy for patchy alopecia areata,” the study authors concluded.
Other options
There are things you can try if your hair loss is causing you distress.
But most treatments are not available on the NHS, so you’ll have to pay for them.
It is important to note that no treatment is 100 percent effective.
“Finasteride and minoxidil are the main treatments for male pattern baldness,” says the NHS.
Male pattern baldness is a permanent type of hair loss that usually runs in the family.
“Minoxidil can also be used to treat female pattern baldness. Women should not use finasteride,” warns the health body.
Some wigs are available on the NHS, but you may have to pay unless you qualify for financial help.
“If your hair loss is causing you distress, your GP may be able to help you get some counselling,” advises the NHS.
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