When hair suddenly falls out, it is a nightmare, especially for many women. Bald spots on the head are still a taboo subject. This year’s “Bachelorette” wants to break with that and draw attention to the autoimmune disease alopecia areata.
Alopecia areata: Bachelorette Sharon Battiste is bald
Sharon Battiste dares to take the step and is on TV for the first time about her long-standing suffering. The 30-year-old has been battling alopecia areata since she was eight years old. Now Sharon no longer wants to keep her secret and proudly shows her bald head. Because the circular hair loss was getting worse recently, the “Bachelorette” grabbed the razor. In the first episodes of the new season, Sharon Battiste still wears a wig throughout.
AZ interview with dermatologist Sophie Müller-Wiefel
What is circular hair loss? which causes has alopecia areata? What does the treatment look like? And how good are baricitinib tablets? The AZ wanted to know that from specialist Sophie Müller-Wiefel. The 39-year-old works in dermatology at Sendlinger Tor.
AZ: Dear Mrs. Müller-Wiefel, where does the hair fall out most often?
SOPHIE MUELLER-WIEFEL: The entire body can be affected. Eyelashes and eyebrows can also fall out. If rounded, hairless areas develop on the body, one must examine whether it is alopecia areata. The top and back of the head are most commonly affected.
Circular hair loss: Men and women are equally affected
How many Germans suffer from circular hair loss?
It is assumed that one to two percent of the population suffer from it, i.e. around 1.5 million Germans. Incidentally, women and men are equally affected.
What are the first signs and symptoms?
It is classic hair loss and not necessarily an itch. Bald spots are often discovered after a shower or at the hairdresser’s.
Alopecia areata: Hair grows back in half without treatment
What advice do you have for affected patients?
Don’t panic and don’t google! In about 50 percent, the hair grows back within a year without treatment.
What are the causes?
Alopecia areata is a form of autoimmune disease. The immune system defends itself against its own body – specifically against the hair follicles. Why this is so has not yet been definitively researched. Genetics play a major role, but other factors such as environmental influences or (emotional) stress can also trigger patchy hair loss.
What can you do? Cortisone cream reduces inflammation
What does the treatment look like?
Alopecia areata often occurs in phases, with years in between. The disease is chronic. Circular hair loss cannot be cured, but it can be treated. Thyroid values as well as zinc and vitamin D levels should be checked. You can cream the affected areas with cortisone to curb the inflammation.
Active substance baricitinib with side effects
For a few weeks now, people have also been reading about baricitinib tablets.
The drug with the active ingredient baricitinib has already been approved in the USA. Studies had shown that when ingested, hair grows back. But there are side effects: the immune system goes down, viruses can be reactivated; Herpes and shingles can therefore break out more frequently. If the patient suffers severely psychologically from the bald spots, the benefits and risks must be weighed up. Regular blood checks are essential.