Alopecia Areata: Clinical Review and Treatment Approaches

March 2000 in “ American Journal of Clinical Dermatology ”

Anthony J. Papadopoulos, Robert A. Schwartz, Camilakrysicka Janniger

Alopecia Areata autoimmune T lymphocytes HLA class II alleles corticosteroids minoxidil topical sensitizers SADBE DPCP dermatitis lymphadenopathy genetic therapies immunologic therapies Rogaine

TLDR Alopecia Areata has no guaranteed treatment for hair regrowth, but options like corticosteroids and minoxidil are used, with future research focusing on genetic and immune therapies.

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.

View this study on link.springer.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

17 / 17 results

research Treatment of Hair Loss

370 citations, September 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Finasteride and minoxidil are effective for hair loss, but continued research is needed for better treatments.

research Twice Weekly 5 mg Dexamethasone Oral Pulse in the Treatment of Extensive Alopecia Areata

65 citations, September 1999 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

Twice-weekly 5 mg dexamethasone can effectively treat extensive alopecia areata in many patients.

research Efficacy of Topical Sensitizers in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

132 citations, November 1998 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Topical sensitizers have mixed success in treating alopecia areata.

research Severe Alopecia Areata Treated With Systemic Corticosteroids

30 citations, August 1998 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Systemic corticosteroids don't prevent severe alopecia areata from spreading or relapsing.

research Hair Regrowth

118 citations, April 1998 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Finasteride and minoxidil are effective for hair regrowth, while treatments for alopecia areata have varying success and continuous treatment is necessary.

research Comparison of Alopecia Areata in Human and Nonhuman Mammalian Species

71 citations, January 1998 in “Pathobiology”

The document concludes that certain rats and mice are useful for studying hair loss in humans and testing treatments.

research Eosinophils in Fibrous Tracts and Near Hair Bulbs: A Helpful Diagnostic Feature of Alopecia Areata

64 citations, July 1997 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finding eosinophils near hair bulbs helps diagnose alopecia areata.

research Treatment of Alopecia Areata

48 citations, October 1996 in “Dermatologic clinics”

Some treatments can help with hair regrowth in alopecia areata, but results vary and long-term use is often needed without changing the disease's outcome.

research PUVA Treatment of Alopecia Areata Partialis, Totalis, and Universalis: Audit of 10 Years' Experience at St John's Institute of Dermatology

105 citations, December 1995 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

PUVA treatment is generally ineffective for alopecia areata.

research Histopathology of Non-Scarring Alopecia

122 citations, April 1995 in “Journal of Cutaneous Pathology”

The document describes how to tell different types of non-scarring hair loss apart by looking at hair and scalp tissue under a microscope.

research Alopecia Neoplastica Simulating Alopecia Areata and Predating the Detection of Primary Breast Carcinoma

30 citations, February 1994 in “Journal of Cutaneous Pathology”

A woman's hair loss was initially mistaken for a common hair loss condition but was later found to be caused by breast cancer cells in her scalp.

research Alopecia Areata: A Review of Treatments and Their Efficacy

49 citations, November 1992 in “Archives of dermatology”

Different treatments for alopecia areata have varying success rates and side effects; intralesional steroids are most effective.

research Topical Minoxidil in Alopecia Areata: No Effect on the Perifollicular Lymphoid Infiltration

33 citations, July 1992 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Minoxidil doesn't affect perifollicular lymphoid infiltration in alopecia areata patients.

research Treatment-Resistant Alopecia Areata: Combination Therapy with Minoxidil and Anthralin

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.

research Evaluation of Anthralin in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

109 citations, November 1987 in “Archives of dermatology”

Anthralin cream helped 25% of patients with severe alopecia areata regrow hair, but caused skin irritation.

research Topical Minoxidil Solution (1% and 5%) in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

101 citations, March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil solution helps hair regrowth in alopecia areata, with 5% being more effective.

research Topical Minoxidil Dose-Response Effect in Alopecia Areata

54 citations, February 1986 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Higher minoxidil concentration (5%) works better for severe hair loss, with most patients seeing regrowth in 48-60 weeks.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community The Worst Hair Loss Condition You (MAY) have: LPP

in Research/Science 43 upvotes 2 months ago

Lichen Planopilaris (LPP) is an autoimmune condition causing permanent hair loss and fibrosis, often misdiagnosed. Treatments include pioglitazone, topical corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory medication, and Jak inhibitors.

community Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

in Research 692 upvotes 3 months ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

community AGA evaluation and first steps - BEGINNER MEGAPOST

in Chat 73 upvotes 2 months ago

The conversation discusses androgenic alopecia (AGA) and its treatments, focusing on finasteride, minoxidil, and ketoconazole shampoo. Finasteride is recommended as essential for preventing further hair loss.

community 17M biotin and minoxidil hair regrowth progress

in Progress Pictures 83 upvotes 1 year ago

A user's hair regrowth journey using biotin and minoxidil after initial treatments with Nizoral shampoo and Ketoconazole serum didn't work. The comments suggest the hair loss might not be male pattern baldness (MPB), but possibly Alopecia Areata, an autoimmune disorder, and recommend getting a second opinion and considering other treatments like corticosteroids.

community Are most men bald because they haven’t tried any treatment or are they bald in spite of it?

in Shaved/buzzed 307 upvotes 7 months ago

Some men are bald because they are unaware of hair loss treatments like Minoxidil (Min) and Finasteride (Fin), while others choose not to use them due to potential side effects, cost, or personal preference. Treatments like Min and Fin are discussed, with varying results and opinions on their effectiveness and side effects.

community Can I punch someone if they make fun of my hair loss, just like Will Smith did?

in Chat 448 upvotes 2 years ago

Hair loss's social impact, focusing on Will Smith defending Jada Pinkett Smith's alopecia. The conversation highlights double standards between men and women experiencing hair loss and emphasizes empathy.

Related Research

6 / 6 results

research Efficacy of Systemic Minoxidil and Tofacitinib Combination in Treatment-Resistant Alopecia Universalis

1 citations, October 2020 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Using minoxidil and tofacitinib together can effectively treat severe hair loss.

research Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Intralesional Minoxidil Injection Alone and in Combination Versus the Standard Intralesional Corticosteroid Injection in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

March 2020 in “QJM: An International Journal of Medicine”

Standard intralesional corticosteroids are the best treatment for patchy alopecia areata.

research Topical and Intralesional Therapies for Alopecia Areata

36 citations, May 2011 in “Dermatologic therapy”

No treatments fully cure or prevent alopecia areata; some help but have side effects or need more research.

research Alopecia Areata: Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Unusual Cases

109 citations, May 2011 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss that can lead to complete baldness, often associated with other autoimmune conditions, and half of the cases may see hair return within a year.

research Alopecia Areata: Evidence-Based Treatments

71 citations, March 2009 in “Seminars in cutaneous medicine and surgery”

Alopecia areata can cause unpredictable hair loss, and treatments like corticosteroids and minoxidil may help but have varying side effects.

research Adverse Systemic Reaction to Dinitrochlorobenzene

14 citations, June 1982 in “Archives of Dermatology”

A man had bad reactions to a hair loss treatment called DNCB.