Alopecia Areata: A Non-Scarring, Multifocal Hair Growth Disorder

May 2011 in “ Harper's Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology ”

Kerstin Foitzik‐Lau

alopecia areata non-scarring multifocal hair growth disorder patchy hair loss autoimmune disease genetic basis environmental triggers immunosuppressing agents immunomodulating agents corticosteroids topical sensitizers minoxidil Rogaine

TLDR Alopecia areata causes patchy hair loss and has no cure, but treatments like corticosteroids and minoxidil can help.

Alopecia areata was described as a non-scarring, multifocal hair growth disorder characterized by patchy hair loss that could occur on any hair-bearing site of the body, potentially leading to complete baldness. It was believed to be an autoimmune disease with a genetic basis and environmental triggers. Treatments often involved immunosuppressing or immunomodulating agents, which had variable effectiveness, but there were no cures or methods to prevent relapses. Common treatments included corticosteroids, topical sensitizers, and minoxidil.

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Research cited in this study

24 / 24 results

research Familial Aggregation of Alopecia Areata

295 citations , May 2016 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata, a common autoimmune hair loss condition, often runs in families.

research Genome-Wide Association Study in Alopecia Areata Implicates Both Innate and Adaptive Immunity

717 citations , June 2010 in “Nature”

Alopecia areata involves both innate and adaptive immunity, with specific genes linked to the disease.

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

79 citations , September 2009 in “Pediatric dermatology”

The 308-nm Excimer laser is effective and safe for treating patchy alopecia areata in children.

research Melanocytes: A Possible Autoimmune Target in Alopecia Areata

35 citations , August 2009 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Melanocytes might be targeted by the immune system in people with alopecia areata, but more research is needed.

research Instilled Bimatoprost Ophthalmic Solution in Patients with Eyelash Alopecia Areata

30 citations , August 2009 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Bimatoprost is safe but not effective for severe eyelash loss from alopecia areata, possibly helping those with less loss.

research Lymphocytes, Neuropeptides, And Genes Involved In Alopecia Areata

286 citations , August 2007 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation”

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease where T cells attack hair follicles.

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Treatment Options

151 citations , February 2007 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata causes hair loss, has no cure, and various treatments exist.

research Genomewide Scan for Linkage Reveals Evidence of Several Susceptibility Loci for Alopecia Areata

143 citations , January 2007 in “The American Journal of Human Genetics”

Certain genes on chromosomes 6, 10, 16, and 18 may increase the risk of alopecia areata.

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”

The new clobetasol propionate foam is effective and safe for treating alopecia areata.

research Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Chain-Related Gene A Polymorphisms and Extended Haplotypes Are Associated with Familial Alopecia Areata

44 citations , December 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Certain genetic markers, especially the MICA gene, are linked to alopecia areata.

research Topical Immunotherapy of Severe Alopecia Areata with Diphenylcyclopropenone: Experience in an Iranian Population

36 citations , May 2005 in “BMC dermatology”

DPCP is effective for treating severe alopecia areata, but relapse is common.

research Management of Hair Loss

74 citations , April 2005 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Minoxidil and finasteride are effective for male hair loss, minoxidil for female hair loss, and various treatments like corticosteroids work for alopecia areata; treatment should be tailored to the individual.

research Restoration of Hair Growth in Mice with an Alopecia Areata-Like Disease Using Topical Anthralin

29 citations , January 2004 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Topical anthralin helped regrow hair in mice with a condition similar to human alopecia.

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

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

66 citations , July 2003 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Betamethasone valerate foam is more effective and safe for treating mild-to-moderate alopecia areata than betamethasone dipropionate lotion.

research Clobetasol Propionate 0.05% Under Occlusion in the Treatment of Alopecia Totalis/Universalis

146 citations , July 2003 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Clobetasol propionate ointment can help some people with total hair loss regrow hair.

research The Pattern and Profile of Alopecia Areata in Singapore: A Study of 219 Asians

275 citations , November 2002 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata mainly affects young people and has significant psychological impacts, especially in males.

research Treatment of Widespread Alopecia Areata in Young Patients with Monthly Oral Corticosteroid Pulse

18 citations , July 1998 in “Pediatric Dermatology”

Monthly oral corticosteroid pulses effectively treat widespread alopecia areata in young patients.

research Failure of Passive Transfer of Serum From Patients With Alopecia Areata and Alopecia Universalis to Inhibit Hair Growth in Transplants of Human Scalp Skin Grafted Onto Nude Mice

60 citations , February 1992 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Serum from alopecia patients does not stop hair growth in grafted skin on mice.

research Alopecia Areata in Children: Response to Treatment with Diphencyprone

84 citations , August 1991 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Most children treated with diphencyprone regrew some or all of their hair.

research Extensive Alopecia Areata: Results of Treatment with 3% Topical Minoxidil

36 citations , March 1989 in “Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine”

3% topical minoxidil effectively treats extensive alopecia areata.

research 3 Percent Topical Minoxidil Compared With Placebo for the Treatment of Chronic Severe Alopecia Areata

26 citations , June 1988 in “PubMed”

3% topical minoxidil is ineffective for severe chronic alopecia areata.

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 (3%) in Extensive Alopecia Areata, Including Long-Term Efficacy

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

3% topical minoxidil effectively treats extensive alopecia areata with few side effects.

research Topical Minoxidil in Extensive Alopecia Areata, Including 3-Year Follow-Up

34 citations , January 1987 in “Dermatology”

Topical minoxidil effectively and safely treats extensive alopecia areata but doesn't change its course.

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research Alopecia Areata: A Non-Scarring, Multifocal Hair Growth Disorder

May 2011 in “Harper's Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology”

Alopecia areata causes patchy hair loss and has no cure, but treatments like corticosteroids and minoxidil can help.

research Interventions for Alopecia Areata

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No treatment showed significant long-term hair growth benefits for alopecia areata.

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Minoxidil promotes hair regrowth, but more research needed for effectiveness and response factors.

research Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

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Minoxidil helps hair regrowth in alopecia patients, with 16 having good results and no side effects.

research PUVA Therapy for Alopecia Areata

31 citations , January 1981

PUVA-therapy is not very effective for severe hair loss types like alopecia totalis or universalis.