Alopecia areata, commonly known as “ghost-bitten head.” This condition can occur at any age, usually without subjective symptoms, often discovered incidentally. Clinically, it presents as patchy hair loss, with bald patches appearing round, oval, or irregular in shape, varying in number, extent, and size. The surface is smooth with slight luster, without inflammation. This type of alopecia often has a tendency to self-heal and may resolve without treatment. However, severe cases may worsen, leading to total hair loss, including eyebrows, axillary hair, and pubic hair, known as alopecia universalis. Treatment generally focuses on nourishing blood and expelling wind.
Commonly used methods include:
1. 5g each of Sichuan pepper and chili peppers soaked in 100ml rice vinegar, applied to affected areas 2–3 times daily.
2. 15g garlic crushed and mixed with 15g fresh cypress leaf, added to 75% ethanol, soaked. Apply 2–3 times daily to affected areas.
3. 40g fresh ginger (crushed), 15g red chili powder, 50g bone-breaker (chopped), 20g goat's horn flower, 20g Angelica root, 15g cinnamon twig, added to 500ml 75% alcohol, soaked for 1 week. Use cotton swab dipped in medicine to wipe affected area, 3–4 times daily.
4. 100g chicken gizzard lining, stir-fried and ground into extremely fine powder, take 1.5g each time, 3 times daily, swallowed with warm water before meals.
5. 500g Poria, ground into fine powder, take 6g each time, dissolved in warm water, 2 times daily. Continue medication until hair roots reappear.
6. 15g each of raw and cooked Rehmannia, cypress leaf, 20g each of Angelica root, black sesame seed, Polygonum multiflorum, decoct in water, take 1 dose daily, divided into morning and evening doses.
7. 100g each of Sophora root and alum, 30g each of ephedra and white prunella, 20g of kudzu root, decoct in water for external washing, 1 dose daily.
8. 120g cypress leaf, 60g whole Angelica root, dried and ground into fine powder, mixed with water to form pills the size of tangerine seeds. Take 9g each morning with lukewarm salt water, 1 dose daily.
9. 30g cat hair, burned to ash, mixed with ointment for external application.
10. 10g small spicy chili, cut into thin strips, soaked in aged white liquor for 10 days. Use this liquor to rub affected areas, several times daily.<Alopecia Areata>