Alopecia areata, also known as "spot baldness," is a condition where hair falls out in clumps without warning. In severe cases, patients may lose patches of hair and become bald. Eyebrows and eyelashes are also affected.

　　Short-term stress increases the risk of alopecia areata.

　　The exact cause of alopecia areata is currently unknown, but it is certain that stress is a significant contributing factor.

　　Eight out of ten patients with alopecia areata have a heavy psychological burden, especially those who experience a concentrated period of stress in a short period of time, such as taking the college entrance examination, postgraduate entrance examination, or civil service examination.

　　Several young white-collar workers who developed alopecia areata shared a common characteristic-they had just come from other places, were not used to the change in environment, and were not accustomed to the pace of city life and work. These young people wanted to achieve success as soon as possible, putting too much pressure on themselves, which interfered with their nervous system and led to various diseases, including alopecia areata.

　　There are several main reasons why people suffer from hair loss in the long term.

　　Reason 1: Heredity

　　This type of hair loss in women typically begins with thinning hair at the hairline. These women are generally born with less hair than average, so they should be especially careful to avoid damaging their hair and causing further loss. Additionally, if significant hair loss occurs, it is advisable to consult a doctor promptly to determine the cause.

　　Reason 2: Ponytail

　　Besides perming and dyeing hair, tying braids too tightly can also lead to hair loss. Therefore, it's recommended that women wear ponytails less often, or try different hairstyles. When combing your hair, be gentle and avoid using nylon combs and brushes, as they easily generate static electricity and irritate the hair and scalp.

　　Reason 3: Postpartum hair loss

　　During pregnancy, the body secretes a large amount of female hormones, providing ample growth hormones for hair. After childbirth, the sudden decrease in hormone secretion naturally leads to significant hair loss, but this phenomenon usually returns to normal within about 6 months postpartum. New mothers generally don't need to panic excessively.

　　Reason 4: Dieting

　　Dieting deprives hair of sufficient nutrients. If hair lacks iron, it will become dry, brittle, and eventually lead to significant hair loss.

　　Three-step treatment for alopecia areata

　　First: Dietary therapy

　　A diverse diet is essential to overcome and correct unhealthy eating habits. Oily skin conditions are closely related to diet; therefore, dietary therapy plans should be developed based on the specific symptoms and type of the local skin lesions.

　　This condition typically affects young adults and is often related to emotional distress. Therefore, in addition to maintaining emotional balance, calming and soothing foods such as lily bulbs, lotus seeds, and jujube seeds should be consumed. Patients with insufficient essence and blood should eat more protein-rich foods that nourish essence and blood, such as sea cucumber and walnuts.

　　Second: Lifestyle adjustments

　　To maintain good hair hygiene, avoid using soaps that are too alkaline to wash your hair, and do not overuse hair care products. After a haircut, minimize the use of hair dryers and hair dyeing.

　　Third: Mental well-being

　　Pay attention to balancing work and rest, maintain a cheerful mood, and avoid worry, pessimism, and anger. After discovering this disease, you should have confidence and patience in the treatment process. Prescription medications should not be changed frequently. You should abide by the law and prescription, persist in treatment, and not be impatient or irritable.