Alopecia Areata: Comprehensive Overview and Management

May 2017 in “ InTech eBooks ”

Burhan Engіn, Muazzez Çiğdem Oba, Yalçın Tüzün

alopecia areata autoimmune condition topical steroids intralesional steroids immunotherapy excimer laser Janus kinase inhibitors SALT score dermoscopy scalp biopsy systemic corticosteroids immunosuppressive agents low-dose interleukin 2 JAK inhibitors

Studysummary This review addresses alopecia areata, emphasizing its autoimmune nature, unpredictable course, and lack of preventive or curative treatments, while noting standard and emerging therapies such as topical steroids and Janus kinase inhibitors. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The document from 2017 provides a comprehensive overview of alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition causing hair loss, with a prevalence of about 1 in 1000 people. It details the disease's complex pathophysiology, unpredictable course, and association with genetic factors and other autoimmune diseases. While there are no preventive or curative treatments, management options include topical and intralesional steroids, immunotherapy, and newer treatments like excimer laser and Janus kinase inhibitors. Diagnosis is primarily clinical, supported by tools like the SALT score and dermoscopy, and a scalp biopsy can help differentiate it from other conditions. The document also discusses the variable success rates and side effects of treatments such as systemic corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, and novel therapies like low-dose interleukin 2 and Janus kinase inhibitors, emphasizing the need for personalized treatment approaches due to the variable efficacy and potential side effects of these treatments.

View this study on intechopen.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

40 / 40 results

research Efficacy of Tofacitinib in Treatment of Alopecia Universalis in Two Patients

51 citations , June 2016 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

In this study, tofacitinib treatment was associated with significant hair regrowth in two patients with alopecia universalis over eight months, with minimal adverse effects reported.

research Treatment of an Alopecia Areata Patient with Tofacitinib Results in Regrowth of Hair and Changes in Serum and Skin Biomarkers

70 citations , April 2016 in “Experimental Dermatology”

In this study, oral tofacitinib treatment led to significant hair regrowth and changes in skin and blood biomarkers in a patient with alopecia areata.

research Alopecia Areata: Animal Models Illuminate Autoimmune Pathogenesis and Novel Immunotherapeutic Strategies

82 citations , March 2016 in “Autoimmunity reviews”

This review explores animal models of alopecia areata, particularly focusing on the insights they've provided into the disease's immune mechanisms and potential treatment approaches, without reporting new experimental data.

research Topical Ruxolitinib for the Treatment of Alopecia Universalis

96 citations , December 2015 in “JAMA dermatology”

This article discusses the potential of topical ruxolitinib as a treatment for alopecia universalis and acknowledges the need for alternatives to systemic JAK inhibitors due to the risk of serious side effects.

research Epidemiology and Burden of Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review

144 citations , July 2015 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology”

This review reports that alopecia areata affects about 2% of people globally and is linked with psychiatric and medical comorbidities, highlighting its significant disease burden.

research Treatment of Alopecia Areata With Topical Sensitizers

15 citations , January 2015 in “Dermatitis”

This review discusses the efficacy and safety of topical sensitizers for treating alopecia areata and reports no new clinical results; it emphasizes advancements in pediatric use, molecular mechanisms, and targeted delivery methods.

research Alopecia Areata in the Elderly: A 10-Year Retrospective Study

9 citations , January 2015 in “Annals of dermatology/Annals of Dermatology”

This retrospective study concluded that alopecia areata in elderly patients showed mild severity and a favorable treatment response, with no link found between hair graying and the extent of hair loss.

research Treatment of Alopecia Areata with Squaric Acid Dibutylester

21 citations , December 2014 in “Clinics in dermatology”

This review discusses squaric acid dibutylester's use, effects, and safety in treating alopecia areata, but reports no new clinical results.

research Alopecia Areata Is Driven by Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes and Is Reversed by JAK Inhibition

701 citations , August 2014 in “Nature medicine”

This study found that JAK inhibitors promote hair regrowth in both mice and human alopecia areata cases by blocking key immune pathways involved in disease development.

research Killing Two Birds with One Stone: Oral Tofacitinib Reverses Alopecia Universalis in a Patient with Plaque Psoriasis

185 citations , June 2014 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This case report describes complete hair regrowth in a patient with alopecia universalis and improved psoriasis after treatment with the oral Janus kinase inhibitor, tofacitinib.

research Current Treatment of Alopecia Areata

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

This review discusses various treatments for alopecia areata, highlighting their limitations and individualized approach, and reports no new clinical results.

research Clobetasol Propionate, 0.05%, vs Hydrocortisone, 1%, for Alopecia Areata in Children

49 citations , November 2013 in “JAMA dermatology”

This study found that topical clobetasol propionate cream was more effective than hydrocortisone cream in reducing hair loss surface area in children with patchy alopecia areata over 24 weeks, with no serious adverse effects.

research Alopecia Areata: An Update

67 citations , January 2013 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

This review discusses the causes, associated conditions, and treatment options for alopecia areata, such as corticosteroids and wigs, but reports no new clinical findings.

research Alopecia Areata Update

85 citations , October 2012 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

This article reviews recent updates on alopecia areata, focusing on its causes, clinical presentation, and treatment options, and provides treatment plans by patient age and disease extent, but reports no new clinical results.

research British Association of Dermatologists’ Guidelines for the Management of Alopecia Areata 2012

218 citations , April 2012 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This updated guideline from the British Association of Dermatologists discusses current recommendations for managing alopecia areata but reports no new clinical research findings.

research Diphencyprone Induced Vitiligo: A Case Report

10 citations , January 2012 in “Case reports in medicine”

This report describes two cases where patients developed vitiligo as a side effect of diphencyprone treatment for alopecia areata, highlighting the need to inform patients about this potential adverse effect.

research Topical and Intralesional Therapies for Alopecia Areata

36 citations , May 2011 in “Dermatologic therapy”

This review discusses topical and intralesional treatments for alopecia areata, providing a management strategy based on patient age and disease severity, but reports no new clinical results.

research Histopathology of Alopecia Areata, Acute and Chronic: Why Is It Important to the Clinician?

43 citations , May 2011 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

This article discusses the phases and histological features of alopecia areata and reports no new clinical findings; the authors emphasize recognizing these phases for accurate diagnosis.

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

109 citations , May 2011 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

This article reviews the characteristics, associations, and diagnostic criteria for alopecia areata and reports no new clinical findings; the authors note the disease's unpredictable course and variable prognosis.

research Congenital Triangular Alopecia: A Close Mimicker of Alopecia Areata

13 citations , January 2011 in “International Journal of Trichology”

CTA is often mistaken for AA but doesn't respond to steroids and may require hair transplantation.

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 Alopecia Areata Update

244 citations , January 2010 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This review discusses treatment options for alopecia areata and suggests tailored treatment plans, noting the challenges posed by spontaneous remission and limited high-quality clinical trials.

research Alopecia Areata Update

391 citations , January 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This article reviews the clinical presentation and histopathologic features of alopecia areata and proposes a hypothesis for its development, but it reports no new clinical results.

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 Clinical Significance of Dermoscopy in Alopecia Areata: Analysis of 300 Cases

196 citations , June 2008 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that dermoscopic indicators like black dots and tapering hairs are valuable markers for diagnosing and assessing the severity and activity of alopecia areata in Asian patients.

research Interventions for Alopecia Areata

164 citations , April 2008 in “Cochrane library”

This review of interventions for alopecia areata found no significant treatment benefits for hair growth compared to placebo, indicating a need for larger, well-conducted studies.

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 Effect of Thioredoxin Reductase 1 on Glucocorticoid Receptor Activity in Human Outer Root Sheath Cells

34 citations , March 2007 in “Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications”

This study suggests that decreased expression of thioredoxin reductase 1 in hair follicle cells may contribute to glucocorticoid resistance in some alopecia areata patients by affecting the intracellular redox system.

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 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 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 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.

research Autoimmunity: Alopecia Areata

143 citations , January 2004 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

This review discusses the autoimmune nature of alopecia areata, potential therapeutic targets, and highlights the need for further studies on immunomodulatory treatments and genetic factors, but it reports no new clinical results.

research Acute Diffuse and Total Alopecia of the Female Scalp

59 citations , January 2002 in “Dermatology”

This study suggests the existence of a new subtype of alopecia, called 'acute diffuse and total alopecia of the female scalp (ADTAFS)', characterized by acute, diffuse hair loss primarily in women and a rapid recovery.

research Efficacy of Topical Sensitizers in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

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

This review evaluates the efficacy and safety of topical sensitizers in treating alopecia areata but reports no new clinical findings.

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”

This retrospective study concluded that PUVA treatment is generally ineffective for alopecia areata, with low effective success rates for partialis, totalis, and universalis types.

Systemic Steroids With or Without 2% Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

research Topical Photochemotherapy for Alopecia Areata

63 citations , April 1985 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This study observed that topical PUVA treatment led to excellent or good hair regrowth in 45.4% of patients with alopecia areata, though many experienced relapse after treatment stopped.