Alopecia areata update
February 2010
in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”
TLDR The document says current treatments for alopecia areata do not cure or prevent it, and it's hard to judge their effectiveness due to spontaneous remission and lack of studies.
The document discusses the challenges in treating alopecia areata (AA), noting that while there are various therapeutic agents available, none offer a cure or means of prevention. The primary goal of AA treatment is to suppress the disease's activity. However, the high rate of spontaneous remission in AA and the lack of extensive randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies complicate the evaluation of these treatments' effectiveness. The article, which is the second part of a series, provides a detailed examination of treatment options and proposes tailored treatment plans based on the specific presentation of the disease. It also highlights recent experimental treatments and suggests potential future directions for AA management. The intended outcome for readers is to improve their ability to compare the efficacy and safety of different treatments, create individualized treatment plans for patients, and stay informed about new treatments and therapeutic strategies.
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Cited in this study
research Phase I/II randomized bilateral half-head comparison of topical bexarotene 1% gel for alopecia areata
Topical bexarotene 1% gel might help regrow hair in alopecia areata and is generally safe.
research Letter
research Lack of efficacy of topical latanoprost and bimatoprost ophthalmic solutions in promoting eyelash growth in patients with alopecia areata
Topical latanoprost and bimatoprost eye solutions don't help eyelash growth in people with alopecia areata.
research Alopecia Areata: Evidence-Based Treatments
research Alopecia Areata following Adalimumab
A woman developed hair loss after starting a treatment with adalimumab, suggesting this medication might cause hair loss.
research Treatment of persistent alopecia areata with sulfasalazine
research Interventions for alopecia areata
Current treatments for alopecia show no significant long-term benefits.
research A multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of a novel formulation of 5% minoxidil topical foam versus placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men
New 5% minoxidil foam effectively promotes hair growth and is safe for use.
research Lack of response of alopecia areata to pimecrolimus cream
Pimecrolimus cream is not effective for treating alopecia areata.
research Changes in distribution pattern of CD8 lymphocytes in the scalp in alopecia areata during treatment with diphencyprone
Diphencyprone treatment increases CD8 lymphocytes in the scalp, which is associated with hair regrowth in alopecia areata patients.
research Development of Alopecia Areata Universalis in a Patient Receiving Adalimumab
research Lack of efficacy of topical latanoprost in the treatment of eyebrow alopecia areata
Topical latanoprost doesn't effectively regrow hair in severe eyebrow alopecia areata cases.
research Alopecia areata presenting in 2 kidney-pancreas transplant recipients taking cyclosporine
Two transplant patients on cyclosporine unexpectedly developed hair loss.
research Topical immunotherapy of severe alopecia areata with diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP): experience in an Iranian population
research Influence of prostaglandin F2α and its analogues on hair regrowth and follicular melanogenesis in a murine model
Prostaglandin F2alpha and related compounds can increase hair growth and darken hair in mice.
research Comparison of Azelaic Acid and Anthralin for the Therapy of Patchy Alopecia Areata
Azelaic acid and anthralin are similarly effective for treating patchy hair loss.
research Hypertrichosis of the eyelashes caused by bimatoprost
Bimatoprost can cause excessive eyelash growth.
research Acquired trichomegaly of the eyelashes and hypertrichosis induced by bimatoprost
Bimatoprost can cause longer, thicker, darker eyelashes and eyebrows.
research A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 5% and 2% topical minoxidil solutions in the treatment of female pattern hair loss
5% and 2% minoxidil solutions effectively promote hair growth and reduce hair loss, with 5% being slightly more effective but having more side effects.
research Hypertrichosis of vellus hairs of the malar region after unilateral treatment with bimatoprost
Using bimatoprost on one side of the face caused increased cheek hair growth in a patient.
research Minoxidil: mechanisms of action on hair growth
Minoxidil boosts hair growth by opening potassium channels and increasing cell activity.
research Restoration of hair growth in mice with an alopecia areata-like disease using topical anthralin
Topical anthralin helped regrow hair in mice with a condition similar to human alopecia.
research Guidelines for the management of alopecia areata
The 2003 guidelines suggest that while some treatments can regrow hair in alopecia areata, none alter the disease's progression, and wigs may be the best option for extensive hair loss.
research Clobetasol propionate 0.05% under occlusion in the treatment of alopecia totalis/universalis
Clobetasol propionate ointment can help some people with total hair loss regrow hair.
research Efficacy of betamethasone valerate foam formulation in comparison with betamethasone dipropionate lotion in the treatment of mild‐to‐moderate alopecia areata: A multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled, investigator‐blinded trial
Betamethasone valerate foam is more effective and safe for treating mild-to-moderate alopecia areata than betamethasone dipropionate lotion.
research Topical Tacrolimus (FK506): Treatment Failure in Four Cases of Alopecia Universalis
research A randomized clinical trial of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men
5% minoxidil works better for hair growth and density, with minor irritation.
research Sulfasalazine for alopecia areata
research Minoxidil upregulates the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human hair dermal papilla cells
Minoxidil boosts growth factor in hair cells, potentially promoting hair growth.
research Alopecia areata in a renal transplant recipient on cyclosporin
A kidney transplant patient on cyclosporin experienced unexpected severe hair loss, which improved with treatment adjustments.
research PUVA treatment of alopecia areata partialis, totalis and universalis: audit of 10 years' experience at St John's Institute of Dermatology
research Treatment-resistant alopecia areata. Response to combination therapy with minoxidil plus anthralin
Using minoxidil and anthralin together can improve hair regrowth in severe alopecia areata patients who didn't respond to individual treatments.
research The Effect of Topical Minoxidil on Hair Follicular Cycles of Rats
Minoxidil speeds up hair growth in rats without prolonging growth phase.
research Alterations in scalp blood flow after the epicutaneous application of 3% minoxidil and 0.1% hexyl nicotinate in alopecia
Minoxidil didn't increase scalp blood flow for hair growth, but hexyl nicotinate did.
research Double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of topical minoxidil in extensive alopecia areata
Minoxidil helps hair growth in 63.6% of alopecia patients, with 27.3% having excellent results.
research Topical minoxidil (3%) in extensive alopecia areata, including long-term efficacy
3% topical minoxidil effectively treats extensive alopecia areata with few side effects.
research Action of topical minoxidil in the bald stump-tailed macaque
Minoxidil promotes hair growth but stops working when discontinued.
research Topical minoxidil solution (1% and 5%) in the treatment of alopecia areata
Minoxidil solution helps hair regrowth in alopecia areata, with 5% being more effective.
research In Vitro Suppression of Human Lymphocyte Activity by Minoxidil
Minoxidil may help hair growth by stopping immune system attacks on hair follicles.
research Minoxidil Stimulates Cutaneous Blood Flow in Human Balding Scalps: Pharmacodynamics Measured by Laser Doppler Velocimetry and Photopulse Plethysmography
Minoxidil increases blood flow in balding scalps, possibly reversing hair loss.
research Large doses of glucocorticoid in the treatment of alopecia areata
Large doses of glucocorticoids are not suitable for general use in treating severe alopecia areata due to inconsistent results and risks.
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A child with rough nails also had hair loss and allergies.