Alternative therapies

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Care to be taken for Alopecia

Alternative therapies –When drug treatments fail to bring sufficient hair regrowth, some people turn to alternative therapies. Alternatives purported to help alopecia areata include acupuncture, aroma therapy, evening primrose oil, zinc and vitamin supplements, and Chinese herbs. Because many alternative therapies are not backed by clinical trials, they may or may not be effective for regrowing hair. In fact, some may actually make hair loss worse. Furthermore, just because these therapies are natural does not mean that they are safe. As with any therapy, it is best to discuss these treatments with your doctor before you try them.

In addition to treatments to help hair grow, there are measures that can be taken to minimize the physical dangers or discomforts of lost hair.

1. Sunscreens are important for the scalp, face, and all exposed areas.
2. Eyeglasses (or sunglasses) protect the eyes from excessive sun, and from dust and debris, when eyebrows or eyelashes are missing.
3. Wigs, caps, or scarves protect the scalp from the sun and keep the head warm.
4. Antibiotic ointment applied inside the nostrils helps to protect against organisms invading the nose when nostril hair is missing.
5. Massage half a cup of warm olive oil or coconut oil well into the scalp after washing your hair. (To warm the oil, let it stand it in a bowl of hot water. Do not heat the oil on the stove.) Wrap your head in a towel, leave it there for a half hour, then shampoo again, and rinse. You can also use almond oil or jojoba oil for the massage. This increases circulation and encourage healthy hair growth.
6. Take a deep breath of fresh air.

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