Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss known as spot baldness. It is usually a sudden onset of hair loss in circular patchy area(s). Its severity varies from a single spot hair loss of the scalp (less severe) to the whole body hair loss which occurs wherever you have hair (very severe).
Stress may play some role in its onset, but autoimmune mechanism (immune cells attack the hair root) is believed to be the cause of the condition. Although there is no known racial or gender preponderance in the development of alopecia areata, it has been reported that the risk of developing the disease increases when there is a blood relative who has alopecia areata.
Stress may play some role in its onset, but autoimmune mechanism (immune cells attack the hair root) is believed to be the cause of the condition. Although there is no known racial or gender preponderance in the development of alopecia areata, it has been reported that the risk of developing the disease increases when there is a blood relative who has alopecia areata.
Treatment of alopecia areata
The objective of the treatment for alopecia areata is to suppress the attack of lymphocytes against hair root.
Topical corticosteroids,intralesional corticosteroids
Topical corticosteroid application is recommended for alopecia areata with relatively small area of hair loss. Intralesional corticosteroids (steroid injection therapy) is also recommended for relatively small area of hair loss of singular or multiple lesions. Local injection therapy is administered every 4 to 6 weeks.
Contact immunotherapy
Contact immunotherapy is NOT covered by national health insurance. Contact immunotherapy is a treatment in which a special reagent is applied externally to the scalp to cause mild inflammation, which results in hair growth. It is assumed that the T lymphocytes, which attack the hair , are directed to the inflamed scalp, thereby slowing down their attack on the hair root. This treatment is recommended in cases of larger alopecia patches. We use a reagent called DPCP (diphenylcyclopropenone). The first step of the therapy requires sensitization to DPCP (the process by which the body recognizes DPCP) and then, deciding the reagent's concentration to produce the appropriate intensity of inflammation on the scalp.
Price Rates for the Contact immunotherapy
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Contact immunotherapy
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Prices
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Sensitization
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3,000 JPY
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Contact immunotherapy
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1,000 JPY
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Home care solution (5mL)
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11,000 JPY
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