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

From the encyclopedia

Alopecia Areata →

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Studysummary This chapter discusses alopecia areata and reports no new findings; it reviews the efficacy of current treatments like corticosteroids, topical sensitizers, and minoxidil, noting the lack of a cure or preventive measures. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

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

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research Familial Aggregation of Alopecia Areata

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

This review examines the immunological aspects of alopecia areata, focusing on genetic, neuroimmunological, and immune privilege factors, but does not report new clinical findings.

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

717 citations , June 2010 in “Nature”

This study identified key genetic regions associated with alopecia areata, highlighting both acquired and innate immune involvement, with a novel link to the upregulation of ULBP ligands in autoimmune disease.

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 Melanocytes: A Possible Autoimmune Target in Alopecia Areata

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

This study found a decreased number of follicular melanocytes in patients with alopecia areata, though it remains unclear if this decrease is due to autoimmune attack or rapid hair cycling.

research Instilled Bimatoprost Ophthalmic Solution in Patients with Eyelash Alopecia Areata

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

This study found that while bimatoprost was safe for 16 weeks, it was not effective for eyelash growth in patients with significant loss due to alopecia areata, though some with less loss experienced growth.

research Lymphocytes, Neuropeptides, And Genes Involved In Alopecia Areata

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

This review examines the interplay of genetics and neuroimmunology in alopecia areata, highlighting its potential to inform broader autoimmunity research, but reports no new findings.

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Treatment Options

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

This review explores the causes and mechanisms of alopecia areata and discusses current treatments, reporting no new clinical findings.

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”

This study identified four genetic loci on chromosomes 6, 10, 16, and 18 that may contribute to susceptibility for alopecia areata and suggested shared genetic factors with psoriasis.

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 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”

This study found significant associations between certain MICA variants and haplotypes with alopecia areata, suggesting MICA as a potential candidate gene linked to the disease's susceptibility and severity.

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

36 citations , May 2005 in “BMC dermatology”

This study found that topical diphenylcyclopropenone was effective in treating severe alopecia areata but had a high relapse rate and was often accompanied by side effects like eczema and lymphadenopathy.

research Management of Hair Loss

74 citations , April 2005 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

This article reviews treatment options for male-pattern and female-pattern hair loss, telogen effluvium, and alopecia areata, but provides no new clinical results; algorithmic management approaches are included.

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

29 citations , January 2004 in “Experimental Dermatology”

In this study, anthralin treatment led to hair regrowth in alopecia areata-like affected C3H/HeJ mice, suggesting it may be an effective therapy for this condition.

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”

This study found that betamethasone valerate foam was more effective and well-tolerated than betamethasone dipropionate lotion in treating mild-to-moderate alopecia areata, with higher hair regrowth rates observed.

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”

In this study, clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment was found to induce hair regrowth in 28.5% of patients with severe alopecia areata under occlusive conditions, though long-term benefit was limited to 17.8%.

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

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

This study found that among an Asian population with alopecia areata, commonly first episodes occurred before age 40, with severe cases linked to psychological effects and treatments showing significant regrowth.

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

18 citations , July 1998 in “Pediatric Dermatology”

This study observed that pulsed doses of prednisolone resulted in excellent hair growth in 60% of young patients with widespread alopecia areata after six months, with minimal side effects.

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”

In this study, serum from patients with alopecia areata or universalis did not affect hair growth in transplanted scalp skin grafts on nude mice, despite increased deposition of immunoreactants.