Alopecia Areata: Clinical Review and Treatment Approaches

    Anthony J. Papadopoulos, Robert A. Schwartz, Camilakrysicka Janniger
    From the encyclopedia
    Alopecia Areata →

    autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

    Minoxidil →

    An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

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    Studysummary This article discusses the etiology, clinical features, and treatment of alopecia areata but presents no new clinical findings, underlining the palliative nature of current therapies.
    Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
    The document from March 2000 reviewed Alopecia Areata, a condition affecting about 2% of the US population, with an autoimmune etiology involving T lymphocytes and certain HLA class II alleles. Diagnosis is mainly clinical, with treatments aimed at hair regrowth, including corticosteroids, minoxidil, and topical sensitizers like SADBE and DPCP. SADBE was reported to have an 80% regrowth rate in mild cases and 49% in severe cases, while DPCP showed a 50.4% success rate in 139 patients with severe alopecia areata. Side effects such as dermatitis and lymphadenopathy were noted. The condition can lead to psychiatric comorbidities due to its unpredictable nature, and while various treatments exist, there is no guaranteed therapy for cosmetically acceptable hair regrowth, necessitating an individualized and maintained treatment approach. Future research may explore genetic and immunologic therapies.
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