286 citations
,
August 2007 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation” Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease where T cells attack hair follicles.
151 citations
,
February 2007 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Alopecia areata causes hair loss, has no cure, and various treatments exist.
9 citations
,
August 2006 in “American Journal of Psychiatry” A woman's hair loss stopped after she stopped taking lamotrigine, suggesting it might cause hair loss.
16 citations
,
October 2004 in “Acta dermato-venereologica” Two people lost a lot of hair because of epilepsy drugs, but their hair grew back after changing medication.
77 citations
,
June 2002 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” CD44 variant changes start alopecia areata, but don't maintain it.
73 citations
,
October 2001 in “Epilepsia” Children taking higher doses of valproic acid had lower biotinidase activity, which may lead to biotin deficiency, but biotin supplements could help.
89 citations
,
October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics” Alopecia areata is likely caused by a combination of genetic factors and immune system dysfunction, and may represent different diseases with various causes.
101 citations
,
November 1992 in “Archives of Dermatology” Steroids help hair regrowth, and minoxidil slows post-steroid hair loss, but effects are temporary.
46 citations
,
June 1990 in “Archives of dermatology” Combining 5% minoxidil and 0.5% anthralin can help regrow hair in some severe alopecia areata patients.
36 citations
,
March 1989 in “Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine” 3% topical minoxidil effectively treats extensive alopecia areata.
12 citations
,
December 1985 in “Dicp-The annals of pharmacotherapy” Carbamazepine can cause hair loss, which may reverse when the medication is stopped.
