Alopecia literaly means hair loss. In Chinese medicine this condtition refers to the term You Feng, meaning glossy scalp wind. The glossy scalp refers to the shiny and bare surface of the scalp that is hairless and wind refers to conditions of a sudden and erratic nature, which is often the case with alopecia areata.

Clinical presentation:

Sudden hair loss in patches that may be round or eliptical in shape and of various sizes. The skin within the patch will be shiny and bare with a smooth surface and visible hair pores. The disease is still active if the hairs along the border are easily extractable, if not then the disease has already stabilized. Although, the scalp is the primary disease area, occasionally the beard and eyebrows may be involved. A total clearing of the scalp is called alopecia totalis. If all the body hair has fallen out, then the disease is named alopecia universalis. Systemic symptoms are usually absent and the hair loss is most often noticed by other people, like their hair dresser.

In Chinese medicine it is said that the hairs are an extension of the blood, and that the health of the hair depends on good nutrition which is carried by the blood. Problems arise when either:
1) The blood is weak and lacking proper nutrition
2) There is something harassing the blood like heat and inflammation
3) There is something blocking the smooth flow of the blood from carrying nutrients to nourish the hair.

In western medicine alopecia areata is considered to be an autoimmune disorder. Lymphocytes aound the hair follicles release chemical messengers (called cytokines) that reject the hair for unknown reasons. People with alopecia areata or their family members may develop other autoimmune diseases such as pernicious anaemia and vitiligo [1].

Treatment:

The Chinese medical treatment of alopecia involves a combination of ideas depending on the underlining cause of the hair loss. This includes supplying ample nourishment, clearing out inflammation, and invigorating the flow of the blood. Lifestyle changes involving proper rest and exercise and a good nutritious whole foods diet are crucial first steps that will help supplement the other therapies. Herbal formulations used both externally and internally then become the primary form of treatment. Although alopecia areata can spontaneously cure on its own with or without treatment after a few months duration, for many the disease can last for years or even for life.