Doctor’s blog

Nonscarring alopecias are Telogen effluvium, Alopecia areata, Traumatic alopecia, Tinea capitis, Androgenetic alopecia etc. The treatment of different types of alopecia is essentially different as the cause of alopecia is different.

Telogen effluvium:

This type of alopecia is generally reversible if the offending factor (high fever, severe infection) is removed. Initially patient is kept under observation and the offending agent identified. If it is due to drug, it should be stopped. If alopecia is due to underlying metabolic disease like hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism etc. the disease should be appropriately treated.

Alopecia areata:

This type of alopecia is treated with topical anthralin, if it is not successful than glucocorticoids can be given intralesionally.

Traumatic alopecia:

This type of alopecia is generally due to use of curlers, rubber bands, braiding and exposure of hairs to heat or chemicals etc. For treatment of traumatic alopecia, the offending hairstyle should be discontinued. If the cause of alopecia is trichotillomania or pulling of hair, than psychotherapy may be required.

Tinea capitis:

This is due to fungal infection (Trichophyton tonsurans is the commonest fungus involved in this type of alopecia) and should be treated with appropriate antifungal antibiotics like griseofulvin or terbinafine along with 2.5% selenium sulfide or ketoconazole shampoo. Ideally other family members also should be examined for fungal infection.

Androgenetic alopecia:

This type of alopecia is male pattern of female pattern of alopecia. If no excess androgen can be demonstrated this type of alopecia (Androgenetic alopecia) is generally treated with minoxidil, finasteride or hair transplantation.

Cyst is collection of fluid in a sac that is made up of very thin wall of fibrous tissue. If cyst is present in ovary it is called ovarian cyst.Ovarian cysts are can bigger than a size of orange and weigh few hundred grams (rarely may weigh a few kilos), but it may also be very small (as small as a size of pea).

Ovarian cysts can occur at any age in a woman’s life but most common during are of 15 to 45 years (during childbearing age). Ovarian cysts are very common in pre-menopausal women throughout the world and in post menopausal women ovarian cysts are not as common as in pre-menopausal women.

Ovarian cysts generally do not cause any symptom, especially if the size of cyst is small. Even if the size of ovarian cyst is bigger, it may not cause serious problem. The most common symptom of ovarian cyst is pain in the abdomen and pelvic region. In fact one of the common differential diagnosis of acute pelvic pain is ovarian cyst. Other symptoms of ovarian cysts are bleeding, discomfort in the pelvic area, heaviness, pressure, swelling etc. The menstrual period of the affected woman (with ovarian cyst) may not be regular. The symptoms like pain in pelvic area and bleeding are commoner when the size of the ovarian cyst is more than 5 cm. 

Complications of ovarian cyst is not very common and include ruptured ovarian cyst, pressing on certain parts (like blood vessels, intestines etc.) which may cause some clinical symptoms.

The treatment of ovarian cyst is generally wait and watch, if the size of cyst is small and without any symptoms. But if the size of the cyst is bigger and with some symptoms, that may be problematic, the treatment is surgical removal of the cyst.