Alopecia Areata: Clinical Treatment

September 2019

Norma Elizabeth Vázquez‐Herrera, Antonellá Tosti

alopecia areata immunosuppressive treatments immunomodulating treatments steroids corticosteroid-sparing agents disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs JAK inhibitors minoxidil prostaglandin F2a analogs topical tofacitinib Vitamin D3 ezetimibe simvastatin platelet-rich plasma antihistamines aromatherapy Rogaine PRP

From the encyclopedia

Alopecia Areata →

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

cholecalciferol →

Studysummary Alopecia areata treatments should be personalized, using options like steroids, JAK inhibitors, and other therapies based on individual needs.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The document reviewed therapeutic strategies for alopecia areata, focusing on immunosuppressive and immunomodulating treatments such as steroids, corticosteroid-sparing agents, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. JAK inhibitors were highlighted for severe cases. Treatments for eyelashes and eyebrows included steroids, minoxidil, prostaglandin F2a analogs, and topical tofacitinib. Adjuvant therapies like Vitamin D3, ezetimibe/simvastatin, platelet-rich plasma, antihistamines, and aromatherapy were also discussed. The document stressed an evidence-based approach tailored to individual patient needs, considering factors like age and disease severity.

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Research cited in this study

27 / 27 results

research Topical Tofacitinib Solution for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata Affecting Eyelashes

24 citations , October 2018 in “JAAD Case Reports”

This paper reviews the challenges of treating alopecia areata affecting eyelashes and discusses the risks associated with traditional therapies; it reports no new clinical results.

research Intralesional Betamethasone as a Therapeutic Option for Alopecia Areata

11 citations , March 2018 in “Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia”

This article describes the DOAJ as a comprehensive index of diverse open access journals, emphasizing its commitment to freely providing quality content online, and reports no new findings.

An Open-Label Pilot Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Tofacitinib in Moderate to Severe Patch-Type Alopecia Areata, Totalis, and Universalis

research An Open-Label Pilot Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Tofacitinib in Moderate to Severe Patch-Type Alopecia Areata, Totalis, and Universalis

130 citations , February 2018 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that tofacitinib led to ≥50% hair regrowth in eight out of twelve patients with moderate to severe alopecia areata, suggesting a potential benefit for using JAK inhibitors in treating this condition.

research Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients With Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

32 citations , December 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata patients often have low vitamin D levels.

research Tofacitinib 2% Ointment, a Topical Janus Kinase Inhibitor, for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata: A Pilot Study of 10 Patients

48 citations , November 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Tofacitinib 2% ointment helped hair regrow in 3 out of 10 patients with alopecia areata, but caused side effects like scalp irritation and raised cholesterol in some.

research UVA-1 in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

3 citations , August 2017 in “Dermatologic therapy”

This letter discusses the use of UVA-1 in the treatment of alopecia areata but reports no new clinical results.

research Topical Janus Kinase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Pediatric Alopecia Areata

83 citations , June 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This study observed that most pediatric patients with alopecia areata experienced some hair regrowth after treatment with topical JAK inhibitors, and the formulations were generally well-tolerated with mild lab abnormalities in some cases.

research The Role of Micronutrients in Alopecia Areata: A Review

63 citations , May 2017 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

This review found that patients with alopecia areata may have lower levels of vitamin D, zinc, and folate, but conflicting evidence precludes definitive clinical recommendations for micronutrient supplementation.

research Oral Ruxolitinib Induces Hair Regrowth in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Alopecia Areata

196 citations , September 2016 in “JCI insight”

This study explored the effectiveness of the oral JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib in treating patients with moderate-to-severe alopecia areata, building on prior success with JAK inhibitors in mice, but results are not reported in this abstract.

research Successful Hair Regrowth in an Acute Diffuse Form of Alopecia Areata During Oral Tacrolimus Treatment in a Patient With Rheumatoid Arthritis

8 citations , August 2016 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Oral tacrolimus helped a rheumatoid arthritis patient regrow hair lost due to alopecia areata.

research A Novel Therapeutic Paradigm for Patients with Extensive Alopecia Areata

30 citations , May 2016 in “Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy”

This review discusses immune pathways involved in alopecia areata and explores emerging, more targeted therapeutic strategies, noting their potential for better safety and effectiveness compared to traditional immune suppressants.

research Reversal of Alopecia Areata Following Treatment With the JAK1/2 Inhibitor Baricitinib

184 citations , February 2015 in “EBioMedicine”

This study observed that baricitinib treatment led to significant improvement in a patient's alopecia areata symptoms and suggests further clinical trials to explore its potential as a treatment.

research Excimer Laser: A Module of the Alopecia Areata Common Protocol

17 citations , December 2013 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

The excimer laser may help hair regrow in alopecia areata patients.

research Clinical Response to Combined Therapy of Cyclosporine and Prednisone

10 citations , December 2013 in “The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings/The Journal of investigative dermatology symposium proceedings”

This case report describes a patient with severe alopecia areata and multiple autoimmune diseases who showed excellent hair regrowth after treatment with prednisone and cyclosporine, though she later developed hyperpigmentation.

research Advances in the Management of Alopecia Areata

51 citations , December 2011 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

This review discusses updated treatment guidelines for alopecia areata in Japan, highlighting new options like corticosteroid pulse therapy, but reports no new clinical results.

research Narrowband Ultraviolet B Phototherapy for Alopecia Areata

37 citations , November 2011 in “Photodermatology Photoimmunology & Photomedicine”

This study found that narrowband UVB phototherapy alone is not very effective for severe alopecia areata, with improved responses noted primarily in patients also receiving corticosteroid injections.

research Experimental Evaluation of Ebastine, a Second-Generation Antihistamine, as a Supportive Medication for Alopecia Areata

35 citations , March 2010 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

Ebastine may help regrow hair in alopecia areata patients.

research Topical Immunotherapy in Alopecia Areata

45 citations , January 2010 in “International journal of trichology”

This review examines topical immunotherapy for severe alopecia areata, noting that diphencyprone and squaric acid dibutylester are non-mutagenic options with similar efficacy but different practical considerations, and reports no new clinical results.

research Treatment of Severe Alopecia Areata with Intralesional Steroid Injections

60 citations , October 2009 in “PubMed”

This study reports that intralesional triamcinolone acetonide was effective and well-tolerated for treating extensive alopecia areata in patients who often showed specific initial hair characteristics.

research 308-nm Excimer Laser for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata in Children

79 citations , September 2009 in “Pediatric dermatology”

This study found that the 308-nm Excimer laser was effective and safe for treating patchy alopecia areata in children, with hair regrowth observed in 60% of treated scalp patches.

research Treatment of Persistent Alopecia Areata with Sulfasalazine

45 citations , July 2008 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that oral sulfasalazine led to varying hair regrowth outcomes in patients with persistent alopecia areata, with 56.3% showing moderate to good responses.

research Efficacy And Safety Of A New Clobetasol Propionate 0.05% Foam In Alopecia Areata: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

114 citations , October 2006 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

In this study, clobetasol propionate foam demonstrated effectiveness and good patient compliance as a safe topical treatment for moderate to severe alopecia areata, with significant hair regrowth compared to placebo.

research Use of the Pulsed Infrared Diode Laser (904 nm) in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

63 citations , January 2006 in “Journal of cosmetic and laser therapy”

This study found that pulsed infrared diode laser therapy (904 nm) was effective in promoting hair regrowth in 94% of patients with resistant patches of alopecia areata.

research 308-Nm Excimer Laser Therapy in Alopecia Areata

85 citations , November 2004 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

The 308-nm excimer laser helps hair regrowth in some alopecia areata cases but not all.