A Case Study of Alopecia Areata with Homoeopathic Treatment according to Individualistic Approach

Abstract- Alopecia areata is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by patchy hair loss. Homoeopathy offers a holistic approach to treat this condition, focusing on the individual’s physical, mental, and emotional symptoms. This article reviews the homoeopathic treatment of alopecia areata, highlighting the following:

– Key homoeopathic remedies: Arsenicum album, Graphites, Lycopodium, Phosphorus and Thuja occidentalis

– Individualization: tailoring treatment to the individual’s unique constitution and characteristics

– Potentization: using highly diluted remedies to address underlying causes

– Repertorization: thorough analysis of symptoms to select the most suitable remedy

Homoeopathic treatment has shown promising results in:

– Promoting hair regrowth

– Reducing hair loss

– Improving overall well-being

– Addressing underlying stress and emotional triggers

This approach offers a safe, gentle, and long-term solution for alopecia areata patients. 

Many Homoeopathic remedies have been prescribed according to Totality of symptoms as per case and reports have also been published. 

Keywords – Alopecia areata, Auto-immune, Homoeopathy.

Definition– Alopecia areata is a chronic autoimmune skin disease characterized by patchy hair loss on the scalp, face and body.

Etiology – The pathogenesis of Alopecia areata is uncertain and following factors are incriminated 

1. Immunological factor – Association of AA with other auto- immune diseases autoimmune thyroid diseases, pernicious anemia, vitiligo and atopy). Moreover, it responds to immunosuppressives.

Cytokines produced by dermal papillae in lesions not only attract lymphocytes to perifollicular regions but also stimulate them to multiply.

2. Genetic factor: AA may be present in some families, so it may be having a genetic basis.
3. Stress and anxiety are the primary causes. This stress and anxiety trigger an autoimmune response in the body which means that the body defense system is wrongly stimulated and it starts attacking its hair follicles leading to damage of hair and hair falling out.

Morphology – Non cicatricial, noninflammatory alopecia. presents as Discoid areas of hair loss with exclamation mark hair at the edge.

Course – Unpredictable, spontaneous recovery with regrowth initially of gray hair. or progress to alopecia totalis (whole scalp) or alopecia universalis (whole body)

Site – Scalp, less frequently beard, eyebrows and the eyelashes. sometimes generalized. 

Epidemiology-

Prevalence: Alopecia areata is a common type of alopecia

Gender: Both males and females are equally affected.

Age: Can start at any age.

Clinical Features

• Alopecia areata typically presents as a discoid patch of alopecia which shows no scaling papules, inflammation or atrophy.
• Presence of exclamation mark hair at the periphery of the lesion is pathognomonic 
• Sometimes a lesion of AA may appear shiny and depressed.

Associations

Nails – Pitting and thinning of nail plate. These pits are fine unlike the coarse pits of psoriasis.

Investigation 

Generally, none needed. If suspected, rule out other autoimmune diseases.

Differential Diagnosis: Tinea Capitis, Cicatricial Alopecia 

Homoeopathic Approach 

The homeopathic approach to treating alopecia areata focuses on addressing the underlying causes, we give medicine to reduce the impact of stress on one’s body and strengthen the root of hairs. Homeopathy helps individuals in building their immune system in such a manner that it hastens the recovery of damaged hair follicles and also assure healthy growth of the new hairs. Reduces autoimmune disorder within the system. 

Some Homoeopathic Medicine:

Acid Phosphoricum, Phosphorus, Fluoric acid, Acid phos, Selenium, Baryta carb, Silicea, Lycopodium, Vinca minor, Syphilinum.

Case Summary 

Identification of Patient 

Miss ABC 30-year-old, Registration no 628174 of old Bhopal visit to Govt Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital Bhopal.

Presenting Complaint – A case of a 30 years old female presented in OPD with chief complaints of a discoid patch on the scalp which shows no scaling which led to a single bald spot.  

Location- Scalp 

Sensation- Not specify 

Modalities- worse during sweating 

History of Presenting Complaints 

Patient was apparently well 5 years back when she gradually developed hair fall along with roots in the discoid patch initially, it was a small patch which gradually increased in size.

Physical Generals 

• General modalities– Most of the complaint aggravated by sweating 
• Thermal Reaction- Hot 
• Appetite – Perverted aversion to smell and the sight of food 
• Thirst – 3-4 liter a day 
• Bowel – Feeling nauseated in the morning, from the smell and the sight of food 
• Tongue – Clean and clammy 
• Sleep- Sound 
• Dreams – Not specific 
• Menstrual History – Menses is irregular scanty and too late 

Mental General 

• She is nervous, excited and worried about everything.
• Apprehensive and melancholic 
• On probing the relationship with her husband the physical intimacy aspect, she said I am not much interested but I give him to his demands. It’s 15 years into the relationship now. I am not interested at all, all my well-wishers say just ignore but staying under the same roof it is getting difficult for me.
• Patient feels everyone would point out to find nooks in her work, husband too doesn’t reciprocate. She is disappointed because no one asked about her not by the husband nor daughter nor mother-in-law still she has been doing for them but nowadays she is not much interested as far as the family member is concerned, she has been telling how much she has been doing for home and profession.

 General Examination 

• Built – Healthy 
• Pulse – 78/min 
• Pallor – mild 
• Respiratory rate – 17/min 

Analysis and Evaluation of Symptoms 

Mental General:

• Apprehensive, melancholic 2+ 
• Worried about everything 2+
• Apathy, Indifference, aversion to company desire to be alone, sadness depression and hopelessness, desire for solitude, quiet, anxiety about health 3+

Physical Generals – 

• Aversion – smell and sight of food 2+
• Thermal reaction – Hot 3+  

Totality of Symptoms –

• Nervous, excited and apprehensive 
• Melancholic and depressed in her life 
• Anxiety about health 
• Indifference to his family member 
• Diminished sexual desire 
• Hair falling out in bunches 
• Nauseated feeling in the morning from the smell and sight of food 

 Rubrics–

MIND- ANXIETY, Health about  

MIND- HYSTERIA 

MIND- MELANCHOLIA  

MIND- INDIFFERENCE

MIND – FORSAKEN FEELING

MIND – CONSOLATION – agg sympathy.     

MIND – SADNESS

FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX- SEXUAL DESIRE – DIMINISHED

FEMALE SEXUAL SYSTEM -MENSTRUATION -AMENORRHEA – Irregular 

HEAD – – HAIR – FALLING OUT (alopecia)

STOMACH- NAUSEA (qualmishness)

ABDOMEN – EMPTINESS 

Repertorisation 

Working method – computed method 

Software used – synthesis 

Repertorisation method – synthesis repertory used 

Repertorial Analysis

• Sepia – 11/26 
• Natrum mur – 10/23 
• Ignatia – 10/ 22 
• Lachesis -10 /22
• Lycopodium -10/21