Alopecia universalis is an advanced for of alopecia areata, a condition where the hair falls out in patches. It causes hair loss all over the body, including eyebrows, eyelashes and even pubic hair.
The condition is extremely rare, affecting only approximately 1 in 100,000 people. However, those people who do have alopecia universalis can often feel alone in their predicament as they believe no one else knows what they are going through.
It may give alopecia universalis sufferers some comfort to know that there are people all over the world with the condition, some of whom are very well-known.
High-profile figures with alopecia universalis
• John D. Rockefeller – the oil magnate and businessman often thought of as the richest man in history
• Duncan Goodhew – the former Olympic swimmer
• Matt Lucas – comedy actor most famous for the Little Britain TV series
• Art Harris – CNN reporter and journalist
• Dave McPherson – the lead singer and guitarist for InMe, the British rock band
• Charlie Villanueva – the professional basketball player who plays for the Detroit Pistons
• Dean Canto – the Australian racing driver
• Pierluigi Collina – a referee with the Italian Football Referees Association (AIA)
When most people see a child with no hair, they often assume that the child has a form of cancer or other illness. However, although chemotherapy treatment for cancer does cause hair to fall out, it is not the only cause of children’s hair loss.
Some forms of hair loss in children are more temporary than others, but all can be diagnosed properly if you just keep calm and take your child to see your GP.
The following are a few of the most common causes of children’s hair loss:
• Ringworm (also known as tinea capitis when it occurs on the scalp) – this is a fungal infection which causes patches of hair loss, itchiness, inflammation and scaling on the scalp.
• Alopecia areata – another common cause of hair loss, this condition causes small spots or patches of baldness on the scalp. It is thought to be caused by a problem with the immune system.
• Trichotillomania – this is a condition in which the child feels the compulsive urge to pull out their own hair. It happens a lot amongst children, but most grow out of it given the proper attention.
• Telogen effluvium – like in adults, this is a condition triggered by stress, illness, fever or surgery. The stressful or traumatic event can cause more hair than normal to go into the resting phase, after which it falls out. However, the hair should grow back after six months or so.
Most people know alopecia to be a form of hair loss. However, what they don’t always know is that there are three main types of the condition – alopecia areata, alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis. But what is the difference between the three?
Alopecia areata
This is one of the most commonly reported types of hair loss, referring to bald patches or spots on the scalp.
Alopecia totalis
This is hair loss affecting the whole of the head, including eyelashes and eyebrows. It is a more advanced stage of alopecia areata, which progresses to totalis and universalis in around 1 – 2 per cent of cases.
Alopecia universalis
This term relates to hair loss all over the body, meaning that the entire epidermis is free from hair. It is the most severe form of alopecia areata, and as such is quite rare, occurring only in around 1 in 100,000 people.
Did you know…?
As well as the three types of alopecia outlined above, there are a couple of other ways alopecia can be classified. These include:
• Alopecia areata barbae – this is hair loss limited only to the male beard
• Alopecia areata multicularis – this refers to multiple areas or patches of hair loss
• Alopecia areata monocularis – one area of baldness, found in any location on the scalp
Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust have received a generous donation of two new innovative machines designed to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy treatment.
The Orbis Paxman machines have been donated by inspiration breast cancer charity Walk the Walk. They are portable, so can be used at both Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital.
The devices work by cooling the scalp and head before, during and after chemotherapy treatment. By lowering the temperature of the scalp, the hair follicles shrink and subsequently limit the effect of chemotherapy on hair. This can prevent or at least limit the kind of profuse hair loss usually caused by chemotherapy treatment.
Nina Barough, who is the founder and head of Walk the Walk, said:
“I know personally how much integrated care helped me on my journey through breast cancer so I am delighted that Walk the Walk has made this very special donation to Barnet and Chase Farm Hospital.
“It is extra special to be able to see our fundraising efforts go to such a worthwhile cause within our local area and I know women are going to benefit from the scalp cooling treatment.”
One of the first things women do when they notice their hair is thinning or falling out is to look for information and possible solutions. Improving your knowledge of hair loss in women can help you feel more in control of your situation, but only if you gather information from the right places. Here’s where to look:
• Your GP
Your family doctor is the first and best place you can go to get more information on female hair loss. Although not a specialist, your GP can start the process of diagnosing your condition and can also refer you to specialist dermatologists and trichologists.
• Hair loss clinics
Visit a reputable and well-known hair loss clinic for advice and guidance, or check out their websites. These clinics, staffed with people well-experienced in female hair loss, will be able to give you information about hair replacement techniques and how to manage your hair loss.
• The Internet
If you’re looking for medical advice, treat online websites with caution unless they are reputable (i.e. Bupa, the NHS). However, the Internet is a good place to get emotional support to help you cope with your condition. You can talk to other female hair loss sufferers via forums and discussions, so you needn’t feel alone in what you’re going through.
Female hair loss can have many causes, some of which have similar symptoms (apart from hair loss, obviously). It is extremely important to ensure that you are diagnosed properly and find out the exact cause of your hair loss, as only then can you receive effective treatment.
Androgenic alopecia and telogen effluvium are both conditions which cause hair to thin or fall out, and they are often mistaken for one another. The following is a little advice to help you figure out which of the conditions you actually have.
Telogen effluvium is different to androgenic alopecia in that it is often caused by hormonal changes and imbalances, such as pregnancy, the menopause or thyroid problems. As well as undergoing extensive blood tests to identify any hormonal imbalances, you should also try to recap the last year or so with the aim of recalling any traumatic or excessively stressful events or situations you’ve experienced.
If your blood tests come back negative and nothing traumatic has happened to you, the chances are your hair loss is caused by the hereditary condition known as androgenic alopecia. Unlike telogen effluvium, this condition is ongoing and permanent. However, you can find solutions to help you with hair loss management, such as human hair wigs or other hair replacement techniques.
Choosing the right wig for you if you suffer from thinning hair or hair loss depends on various factors, such as the look you are aiming for and, of course, the price you would like to pay.
Whilst synthetic wigs may at first view seem like a more affordable option, you need to take into account its durability or indeed how frequently you want to change your style.
Below are some points to consider when comparing the two types:
Human Hair Wigs
• As the hair is from human sources, the wig will always look more natural.
• The hair can be heat styled thus allowing a variety of looks.
• Each individual hair is chemically treated before the wig is created, making them much more durable than even natural hair.
• Hair can be coloured to match your natural hair and skin tone.
Synthetic Wigs
• Wigs made from man-made hairs are easier to manufacture and are therefore cheaper.
• The less you spend, the less the wig will resemble human hair.
• Synthetic hairs do retain their shape better after washing – human hair wigs need restyling after washing, just like growing hair.
• Synthetic wigs cannot be heat styled or change colour and so will remain as they have been produced by the factory.
A report published by the online publisher of peer-reviewed science, PLoS One, suggests the accidental discovery of a link between a chemical compound that can reverse and prevent alopecia in mice.
The team was investigating the effects of stress on gastrointestinal functions in mice, but have found that mice exposed to chronic stress and suffering from alopecia showed significant improvements when injected with astressin-B. It was found that a daily injection over a period of five days ‘induced pigmentation and hair re-growth that was largely retained for over 4 months.’ As mice generally live for less than two years, this represents relatively long-term hair growth.
Stress is recognised as a potential cause of hair-loss in humans, but the implications here in the case of the mice are that the compound astressin-B may block CRF (Corticotropin-releasing factor), which has been linked to hair growth inhibition in chronically stressed individuals. The report also suggests that the regular administration over a short period of time actually ‘revived the hair follicle’.
Whilst this accidental discovery has still only been observed in mice, it has been suggested that a similar approach to hair loss treatment could be tried on humans at some point in the future.
Although there are many genuine sources of help out there for women with hair loss, there are unfortunately just as many individuals, companies and websites looking to exploit desperate people by offering ‘miracle cures’.
The truth is that a huge amount of these products and techniques simply don’t work, promising lightning-speed regrowth of hair which just doesn’t happen. The people who sell these products aren’t usually trained or experienced hair loss specialists; they are solely interested in making money by taking advantage of your desperation and desire to regrow your lost hair.
If you want proper treatment for your hair loss condition, you need to go to a medical professional rather than wasting your money on these so-called ‘miracle cures’. See your GP for a formal diagnosis, then visit a dermatologist or trichologist (hair loss and growth specialist) for a further consultation and treatment options.
You can also look for hair management and replacement options, from organisations with actual experience of treating female hair loss. Use a reputable company known for its expertise, knowledge and sensitivity, and spend your money wisely on hair loss solutions that actually work.
There are so many myths and misconceptions surrounding female hair loss, it can be difficult for people looking for information about it to sort fact from fiction.
One of the main myths about hair loss – particularly sudden, seemingly unexplained hair loss – is that it is contagious in some way. This is not true, as most conditions which cause female hair loss cannot be passed on from person to person. You can’t ‘catch it’ from breathing the same air as the affected person, nor by touching them, using their hairbrush (although you shouldn’t really do this anyway, for hygiene reasons) or any other form of contact.
Tinea capitis (ringworm)
This condition is one of the only exceptions to the rule that hair loss is not contagious. Tinea capitis, or ringworm, is a fungal infection mostly found in children. In some cases, it causes patchy hair loss. There is a possibility that you can catch ringworm from an infected person, but it is incredibly easy to treat.
Androgenic alopecia
Although it doesn’t count as being ‘infectious’, some hair loss conditions are caused by hereditary/genetic factors. This means that your mother, father, grandparents or other family members could technically ‘pass on’ the condition to you.
