Traction Alopecia is one form of Alopecia (slow and gradual hair loss) which is caused by external causes; it is neither a medical condition, nor is it something genetic. It is most common in African-American women; but it can be seen in any other adult or child.
Traction Alopecia is seen in people who either heavily braid their hair most of the time or in people who tug on their hair a lot or keep it covered with a hat, helmet or scarf. The reason behind this is that a constant pull, tension or rubbing against the skin where the hair grows can cause the hair follicle and the dermal papilla to become damaged resulting in hair thinning and gradual hair loss.
Experts suggest that traction alopecia does not cause general hair loss on the head, but if there is an existing hair loss problem then traction alopecia can aggravate it. Prolonged scalp condition of traction alopecia can also result in baldness from that spot. This condition then becomes irreversible; however if it is treated on time then the hair loss can end before causing baldness.
Traction Alopecia
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Below are listed some of the common causes of Traction Alopecia.
Causes of Traction Alopecia
- Traction alopecia in men is most commonly caused by excessive use of hats, helmets, headphones or in the case of African-Americans, excessive braiding. Many men are required to either wear hats or helmets for prolonged time due to the nature of their job. This rubbing of tight or heavy headwear on the scalp can cause traction alopecia. Sikh men also suffer from Traction alopecia because they constantly wear a turban to cover their hair.
- Traction Alopecia, in women, usually results from tight braiding or wearing scarfs and caps on a regular basis. African-American women and girls are habitual of wearing their hair in tight long braids. These braids exert a constant pulling force on the head causing traction alopecia in that area. But it is not only the African-American women, women in Japan also suffer from traction alopecia due to their distinctive hair styles. Girls who make tight pony tails with their hair also have the chance of suffering from this condition.
Treatment of Traction Alopecia
Because it is not a medical condition, traction alopecia usually does not require taking or applying a medicine. If you have started to notice it in your hair and you think that it is caused by any of the above mentioned causes, then it is better to stop doing whatever it is causing traction alopecia, like avoid wearing a hat or making lose braids or lose hair styles.
