Alopecia areata or Indraluptha, its treatments and description in ayurveda and modern.

Alopecia areata or Indrapultha

Alopecia areata or Indraluptha according to Ayurvedic texts is a condition in which hair is lost from some or all areas of the body, usually the scalp. Because it causes bald spots on the scalp, especially in the first stages, it is sometimes called spot baldness. In 1-2% cases the condition can spread to entire scalp (alopecia totalis) or to entire epidermis (alopecia universalis).

Causes

-Not contagious, does not spread from one person to another

-Heredity may be a factor

-Strong evidence of genetic association with increased risk for AA was found by studying families with two or more affected members

-The condition is thought to be a systemic autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks its own anagen hair follicles and supresses or stops hair growth

-For example increase in cell lymphocyte clustre around affected follicles causing inflammation and subsequent hair loss

-Endogenous retinoids (a class of chemical compounds that are chemically related to vitamin A ) metabolic defect is a part of the pathogenesis of AA

Prognosis

-In most cases which begin with a small number of patches of hair loss, hair grows back after a few months to a year

-In cases with greater number of patches, hair can either grow back or progress to AA totalis or in rare cases AA universalis

-Effects of AA are mainly psychological loss of hair also means the scalp burns more easily in the sun. Loss of nasal hair increases severity of hay fever and similar allergic conditions

-Hair may grow back and then fall out again later. This may not indicate a recurrence of the condition, however, but rather a natural cycle of growth and shedding from a relatively synchronised starts, such a pattern will fade over time

-Alopecia certainly can be the cause of psychological stress. Because hair loss can lead to significant appearance changes, individuals may experience social phobia, anxiety and depression

Things to avoid for Alopecia patients (in Astanga Hrudaya Uttarasthana, Siroroga Pratisheda)

-exposure to smoke which may containn harmful chemicals which may damage the hair follicles

-excessive exposure to cold atmosphere, fog

-excessive sleep

-not sleeping at night, night waking

-over sweating in the head

-avoiding anxiety, depressive moods

-exosure to easterly winds

-willful blocking of tears

-excessive crying

-willful transgression of natural urges

-not using pillows for sleep

-avoiding oil over head for bath

-looking downwards all the time

-exposure to unpleasnt smell

-indigestion

-speaking loudly

Indraluptha lakshana

Due to above said etiological factors vata get vitiated and along with pitta destroy the base of hair follicles. Due to that kapha covers the base of hair follicles like a membrane preventing further growth of new hair follicles, resulting in Indraluptha.

Chikitsa or Treatment in Ayurveda , Astanga Hrudaya

Sira vedha (vene-puncture) over temporal artery

Over pathches prachchanna done ( a procedure where small dots are made with surgical needle over patches in a linear fashion, resulting in mild dotted bleeds)

Then lepana or paste application is to be done with

-Kaasisa+Manahsila+Koshna

-Vanga+Devadaru

-Langali moola

-Gunja+Moola phala

-Karaveera rasa

-Brihati swarasa+Honey

-Dhathoora swarasa

-Bhallathaka paste

-Sesame flower+Gokshura paste+Ghee

Hasti Dantha Mashi

It is a special preparation for alopecia areata and an ever effective drug prepared by burning ivory of elephants tusk and making it to ashes and then mixing with suitable oil and then applying over patches after scrapping the area. Instead of ivory, horns of goat may also be used.

Reference :

1.Astaanga hrudaya uttarasthaana siroroga pratisheda

2.Wikipedia