Alopecia and Doctor Visits Co-pays

Photo credit: www.aocd.org

Pictured above is Alopecia Areata.  It is categorized by a bald patch or patches - big or small in any area of the head or body.  It can be seen in children at any age as well as adults.  Apparently, one's own body or genetics can trigger it, and it may disappear on its own later.

My reason for writing this article is because people globally are experiencing "balding" or "thinning" and they are running to the dermatologist paying expensive co-pays just to be told "you have alopecia."

Well, excuse me, alopecia means "hair loss."  Who needs to pay a specialist $50 for five minutes of precious time just to be told "you have hair loss." Patients can see that they have hair loss which is why they came in- remember?  The question is why do they have hair loss?

Unfortunately, in most cases, the specialist can only guess and prescribe some topical treatment.  For many patients, the doctor visit feels like a "waste of money and time."

First of all, I suggest people make sure that the bald patch is NOT a ringworm.  If it is not a parasite, then alopecia can be triggered by traction such as 

1. wearing a baseball cap or hat too much,
2. braids that look good, but are too heavy for the person's fine hair
3. headbands with teeth that irritate the scalp as it moves or
4. wigs or hairpieces with comb attachment that irritate the scalp as it moves.

Other alopecia can be caused by 

1. stress, 
2. allergic reactions to a chemical or a hairdressing, 
3. post-pregnancy or 
4. possibly an imbalanced diet such as the Atkins Diet for months past what is recommended.

People really should try to eliminate all possible causes of hair loss.  It can save you a co-pay.

Also, there used to be a shot that can administered to the bald patch and a hard thump to get the circulation going in the area . . .  I was told about this by a friend, but it was a solution over 20 years ago.  It may be a lost "solution" that did not get past down.  I don't know, but I had a friend that swore by it.

On a separate note, dermatologists are good for diagnosing scalp and skin conditions such as

1. eczema
2. psoriasis
3. dermatitis
4. dandruff and so on.

As for a custom hair maintenance regimen that is separate from scalp disorders, a cosmetologist who is well experienced with various different hair types and races can better recommend shampoos and conditioners to deliver the style that you are looking for.