Natural treatment for alopecia areata

If your body attacks your hair follicles, leaving you with patchy bald spots or random hair loss on your head or body, you’re probably looking everywhere for possible treatments.

it was just yours only If you suffer from hair loss due to alopecia areata in the United States, this option has been available to you for many years. (Key fact: Until June 2022, there was no U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for alopecia areata.)

Today, many people still seek natural remedies to manage autoimmune diseases and their effects. However, I have a question here. Are there any home remedies worth trying?

We asked dermatologist Dr. Melissa Pillian for her opinion.

Are home remedies effective for alopecia areata?

Don’t bet on whether you’ll find a solution to alopecia areata sitting in your kitchen cupboard or medicine cabinet. It’s not that easy.

“Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disease and a problem with the immune system,” says Dr. Pirian. “There is little evidence to suggest that natural remedies are actually effective in treating this condition.”

Some of the currently touted “natural remedies” are harmless and some even offer health benefits. However, it can also lead to unwanted complications.

Let’s take a closer look at some common home options.

aromatherapy scalp massage

Various clinical trials suggest that aromatherapy and scalp massage using essential oils may have value as an alternative treatment for alopecia areata. Plants and natural ingredients that may be compatible with aromatherapy include:

• time.
• Rosemary.
• lavender.
• cedar wood.

But can aromatherapy reliably cure this condition? Not likely. The researchers emphasize the need for further research on this topic. However, the findings are consistent with the growing trend of using natural ingredients in dermatology.

“It seems perfectly safe to try, and there’s some evidence to suggest it may be helpful,” Dr. Pirian said.

Approach to the “kitchen”

You can also fill your shopping cart with foods related to alopecia areata care. The shopping list includes:

There’s no question that each has potential benefits for hair and skin when applied or ingested, points out Dr. Pirian. For example, it may work to reduce inflammation or promote increased blood flow.

“However, these products do not treat alopecia areata,” she says. “They may address some of the sub-symptoms a little bit, I doubt even that, but they don’t address the symptoms.”

dietary changes

It’s no secret that biting into a carrot stick is better for your overall health than chomping on fast food fries. Same goes for munching on an apple instead of a gooey chocolate chip cookie.

Simply put, eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein benefits your entire body, including your hair, which needs vitamins and minerals to grow well. brings about.

“However, there is no data to suggest that diet can control alopecia areata,” Dr. Pirian clarifies. “What you eat may make your hair last longer, but it cannot stop your immune response.”

She warns against restricting your diet in hopes of solving your alopecia areata. “It’s unnecessary, can be stressful, and can lead to nutritional deficiencies and other problems.”

Taking supplements

Vitamin D is important for the natural hair growth cycle. If you have a vitamin D deficiency (which is fairly common), you may want to take a supplement to boost your levels if you have alopecia areata, recommends Dr. Pirian.

The same is true if you are deficient in iron or zinc, two other nutrients important for hair growth. “It’s important to look for these defects so we can do something about it,” says Dr. Pirian.

But again, none of these supplements can stop alopecia areata. Also, taking it when your vitamin D, iron, and zinc levels are already good will not give your hair any further stimulation or promote hair growth.

stress relief

Stress isn’t just hard on the body, and new evidence is emerging that stress can wreak havoc on your immune system. Finding ways to relieve stress (such as meditating or listening to soothing music) may help you better manage your alopecia areata.

However, that is not guaranteed. “For many people, when alopecia areata occurs, it happens suddenly,” says Dr. Pirian. “It doesn’t have to be triggered by a stress response.”

However, finding ways to deal with stress can lift your mood and help you cope better when hair loss occurs.

Home remedies for alopecia areata to avoid

Avoid extreme measures to try to treat alopecia areata. There are no expensive “supervitamins” or “additional” nutrients available on the market that will just stop hair loss. There are no dietary restrictions that would put a brake on this symptom.

“People want easy solutions, but treating alopecia areata is not that simple,” says Dr. Pirian. “What you find online in the middle of the night is not the answer.”

final thoughts

Prescription treatment options for alopecia areata have improved significantly in recent years. Before blindly trying alternative treatments, talk to your health care provider about your options.

“Starting in 2022, the entire landscape of alopecia areata treatment has changed,” says Dr. Pirian. “Now there may be medicines that can help.”