Traction Alopecia – Alopecia Hair Loss Conditions And Treatment

What Is Traction Alopecia

Traction alopecia is a condition in which a person suffers from hair loss because of excessive pressure applied on the hair due to certain hairstyles like ponytails, tight braids, and pigtails. It affects women, children and young adults, especially belonging to East Indian or African races most commonly. The chief reason for this kind of hair loss is that the roots of the hair are put under tremendous strain because of the regular use of chemical and mechanical devices of hair styling and certain hairstyles. Those who use hot hair combs, or permanent hair waving or straightening combs regularly are susceptible to this kind of alopecia. Prolonged use of blow driers to dry up hair may also damage the hair follicles and cause traction alopecia. The most common symptoms of this condition are patches on the scalp where hair growth is sparse, scarring at the base of the hair and permanent hair loss at several spots of the scalp, itching and inflammation of the scalp, dandruff, and appearance of pustules and scales on the scalp.

Treatment For Alopecia Traction

The most obvious remedy for traction alopecia is to stop using hair coloring or styling agents. You should also adopt a different hairstyle that puts minimum tension on the hair roots and lets the damaged hair follicles heal naturally. Though hair grows back naturally after the removal of the causes of traction alopecia, it may take several months and the regeneration of hair might not be complete. The commonly recommended remedies are oral antibiotic courses meant to ease the inflammation and infection of the scalp, and surgical methods like hair transplantation through flap rotation or punch grafting. Simultaneously, it is essential that your diet consist of foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals that stimulate the hair follicles and promote hair growth. Vitamins A, C and E are crucial determinants of the rate of hair growth, and recovery from hair loss. Eat green leafy vegetables like spinach, lettuce and broccoli and cabbage, as well as fish liver oil, meat and eggs for vitamin A, which enhances the production of sebum in the roots of the hair; citrus fruits, tomatoes and green pepper for vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that helps make hair stronger; and beans and nuts for vitamin E, which improves blood circulation in the scalp. Another important nutrient that contributes greatly to regeneration of hair is biotin, which is found in rice, whole grains, egg yolk, liver and milk.