Alopecia Areata: Overview and Treatment Options

February 2007 in “ International Journal of Dermatology ”

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

alopecia areata autoimmune disease hair loss corticosteroids minoxidil anthralin topical immunotherapy PUVA therapy cyclosporine A tacrolimus biologics Rogaine psoralen plus ultraviolet A

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.

View this study on onlinelibrary.wiley.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

25 / 25 results

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

185 citations, August 2005 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.

research Micropigmentation: Medical Applications and Procedures

39 citations, August 2005 in “Dermatologic surgery”

Micropigmentation is a widely accepted tattooing technique for hiding cosmetic issues and medical uses, with permanent results and few side effects, but risks infection if not done with sterile tools.

research Recurrence of Alopecia Areata in a Patient Receiving Etanercept Injections

75 citations, June 2005 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Etanercept may not prevent alopecia areata from coming back.

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 Congenital Alopecia Areata

32 citations, January 2005 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

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

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 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

15 citations, April 2003 in “Journal of dermatology”

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

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 Alopecia Areata: Animal Models

69 citations, July 2002 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

Alopecia areata is influenced by genetics and immune system factors, and better understanding could improve treatments.

research Treatment of Hair Loss

370 citations, September 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

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

research Antinuclear And Antithyroid Antibodies In 68 Japanese Patients With Alopecia Areata

6 citations, January 1999 in “Dermatology”

Alopecia areata is linked to autoimmune antibodies.

research Partial Response of Severe Alopecia Areata to Cyclosporine A

30 citations, January 1999 in “Dermatology”

Cyclosporine A can help some people with severe alopecia areata regrow hair.

research Treatment of Alopecia Areata

48 citations, October 1996 in “Dermatologic clinics”

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.

Treatment of Chronic Severe Alopecia Areata with Topical Diphenylcyclopropenone and 5% Minoxidil: A Clinical and Immunopathologic Evaluation

research Treatment of Chronic Severe Alopecia Areata with Topical Diphenylcyclopropenone and 5% Minoxidil: A Clinical and Immunopathologic Evaluation

41 citations, November 1993 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

DPCP helps treat severe hair loss, but 5% minoxidil doesn't add benefits.

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

101 citations, November 1992 in “Archives of Dermatology”

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

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 Treatment-Resistant Alopecia Areata: Combination Therapy with Minoxidil and Anthralin

46 citations, June 1990 in “Archives of dermatology”

Combining 5% minoxidil and 0.5% anthralin can help regrow hair in some severe alopecia areata patients.

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 Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Evaluation of Topical Minoxidil in Extensive Alopecia Areata

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

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

research Topical Minoxidil for Hair Regrowth

80 citations, September 1984 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

5% minoxidil helps hair regrowth in androgenic alopecia.

research Treatment of Alopecia Areata With Steroid Solution

30 citations, December 1972 in “Archives of dermatology”

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

research A Comparison of Intralesional Triamcinolone Hexacetonide and Triamcinolone Acetonide in Alopecia Areata

75 citations, September 1971 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Both steroids effectively promote hair growth for at least 9 months.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community Rare Non responder to Finasteride, Dutasteride, and oral minoxidil

in Minoxidil 78 upvotes 8 months ago

A user did not respond to finasteride, dutasteride, and oral minoxidil for hair loss after four years of treatment and is considering scalp micropigmentation (SMP). Other users suggest the hair loss pattern may indicate alopecia areata and recommend seeing a dermatologist.

community Boys I am just a gonner. What on earth is my scalp even going through. Looks like world war 3. Pyril 3 months. Topical melitonin/progesterone/fin, dut, fin, oral min, laser trash, anus stimulation. Nothing. Donor area is decimated 😂.

in Progress Pictures 83 upvotes 2 years ago

Treating Seborrheic Dermatitis, a fungal scalp condition which can cause hair loss. Treatments discussed include antifungal shampoos, cold showers, exfoliating the scalp, taking Vitamin D, and stimulating the prostate through the anus.

community HT / Meds results are reverting, thinning, crazy shedding..

in Progress Pictures 161 upvotes 1 month ago

A user experienced significant hair shedding and thinning 10 months post-hair transplant despite using minoxidil and topical finasteride. They are considering switching to oral finasteride or dutasteride and are also dealing with scalp conditions like seborrheic dermatitis.

community Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

in Research 692 upvotes 3 months ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

community Lilly to seek first approval of an autoimmune drug for hair loss

in Research/Science 19 upvotes 3 years ago

Eli Lilly's drug baricitinib showed effectiveness in treating alopecia areata, with higher doses resulting in significant hair regrowth compared to placebo. The treatment is not for male pattern baldness.

community Can I punch someone if they make fun of my hair loss, just like Will Smith did?

in Chat 448 upvotes 2 years ago

Hair loss's social impact, focusing on Will Smith defending Jada Pinkett Smith's alopecia. The conversation highlights double standards between men and women experiencing hair loss and emphasizes empathy.

Related Research

4 / 4 results

research Sisaipho Alopecia Areata Treated With Tofacitinib and Oral Minoxidil

1 citations, August 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

6 citations, January 2019 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology”

About 12% of children in Kota, Rajasthan, experience hair loss, mainly due to fungal infections, with early treatment advised to prevent worsening.

research Hair Disorders

August 2018 in “Oxford University Press eBooks”

The document's conclusion cannot be provided because the document cannot be parsed.

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.