Alopecia Areata: Overview and Treatment Options

February 2007 in “ International Journal of Dermatology ”

Dan Wasserman, Daniela Araucaria Guzman-Sanchez, Kimberly Scott, Amy J. McMichael

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

This 2007 article provides an overview of alopecia areata (AA), an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. The etiology and pathogenesis of AA are still unknown, but corticosteroids are the most popular drugs for treatment. Other treatment options include minoxidil, anthralin, topical immunotherapy, PUVA therapy, cyclosporine A, and tacrolimus. Biologics are also being studied for their potential role in treating AA. The document emphasizes that AA has no cure and no uniformly dependable treatment, and that patients and families should be educated on all that is known and be made aware of support mechanisms in place.

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18 / 18 results

research Alopecia Areata: A Tissue-Specific Autoimmune Disease of the Hair Follicle

185 citations , January 2006 in “Autoimmunity Reviews”

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss due to the immune system attacking hair follicles, often influenced by genetics and stress.

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research Congenital Alopecia Areata

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Some babies are born with alopecia areata, and a treatment with clobetasol propionate can regrow hair in half of the cases.

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

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

research PUVA Treatment of Alopecia Areata Totalis and Universalis: A Retrospective Study

39 citations , April 2003 in “Australasian journal of dermatology”

PUVA treatment led to significant hair regrowth in over half of the patients with alopecia areata totalis and universalis.

research Alopecia Areata: Clinical Perspective and an Insight into Pathogenesis

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Alopecia areata causes hair loss due to an immune attack on hair follicles, influenced by genetics and environment.

research Treatment of Hair Loss

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

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Alopecia areata is linked to autoimmune antibodies.

research TREATMENT OF ALOPECIA AREATA

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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.

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Steroids help hair regrowth, and minoxidil slows post-steroid hair loss, but effects are temporary.

research Treatment-Resistant Alopecia Areata

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research Evaluation of Anthralin in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

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

research Double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of topical minoxidil in extensive alopecia areata

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Minoxidil helps hair growth in 63.6% of alopecia patients, with 27.3% having excellent results.

research Topical minoxidil for hair regrowth

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5% minoxidil helps hair regrowth in androgenic alopecia.

research Treatment of Alopecia Areata With Steroid Solution

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The steroid solution can regrow hair but often causes skin issues and doesn't work long-term.

4 / 4 results

research Sisaipho Alopecia Areata Treated With Tofacitinib and Oral Minoxidil

1 citations , November 2022 in “JAAD case reports”

Tofacitinib and oral minoxidil may help treat Sisaipho alopecia areata.

research A Clinico-Epidemiological Study of Scalp Hair Loss in Children (0–18 Years) in Kota Region, South-East Rajasthan

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research Hair Disorders

August 2018 in “Oxford University Press eBooks”

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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.