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

From the encyclopedia

Alopecia Areata →

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

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

Automatically generated from the study's abstract, not written by a person, and not a review of the full paper. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Read the original study, and consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

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Research cited in this study

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

185 citations , August 2005 in “Autoimmunity Reviews”

This review discusses alopecia areata as a model for studying tissue-directed autoimmune diseases and reports no new clinical findings.

research Micropigmentation: Medical Applications and Procedures

39 citations , August 2005 in “Dermatologic surgery”

This review describes the expanding medical uses of micropigmentation, including for vitiligo, burn scars, and nipple-areola reconstruction, and highlights safety concerns related to sterilization practices.

research Recurrence of Alopecia Areata in a Patient Receiving Etanercept Injections

75 citations , June 2005 in “Archives of Dermatology”

In this case report, a patient experienced a recurrence of alopecia areata while undergoing etanercept treatment, suggesting the drug may not effectively prevent this condition's return.

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 Congenital Alopecia Areata

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

In this study, all four cases of congenital alopecia areata experienced periods of remission, with clobetasol propionate 0.05% achieving full hair regrowth in half of the patients treated.

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

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

This study found that PUVA treatment resulted in complete hair regrowth in over half of patients with alopecia areata totalis or universalis, despite a higher treatment failure rate in those with a family history of the condition.

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”

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 Alopecia Areata: Animal Models

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

This review discusses rodent models of alopecia areata and highlights genetic and epigenetic factors influencing its development, but reports no new experimental results.

research Treatment of Hair Loss

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

This article discusses the treatment of androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata with finasteride and minoxidil but reports no new clinical results.

research Partial Response of Severe Alopecia Areata to Cyclosporine A

30 citations , January 1999 in “Dermatology”

This study found that cyclosporine A may lead to partial hair regrowth in 50% of patients with severe alopecia areata who do not respond to standard 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 Autoantibodies to Hair Follicles in C3H/HeJ Mice With Alopecia Areata-Like Hair Loss

72 citations , September 1997 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

research Interleukin-1β-Induced Inhibition of Hair Growth In Vitro Is Mediated by Cyclic AMP

33 citations , January 1997 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Interleukin-1β stops hair growth by increasing cyclic AMP levels.

research Treatment of Alopecia Areata

48 citations , October 1996 in “Dermatologic clinics”

This review discusses the variability and limitations of treatments for severe alopecia areata, noting some patients may achieve cosmetic hair regrowth with treatment, while others experience persistent hair loss or relapse.

research Cytokines and Growth Factors Influence Hair Growth In Vitro: Possible Implications for the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Alopecia Areata

91 citations , March 1996 in “Archives of Dermatological Research”

This study concluded that cytokines and growth factors significantly regulate hair growth in vitro, with some completely inhibiting growth, such as EGF and TNFα.

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.

research Stimulation of Hair Growth by Topical Application of FK506, a Potent Immunosuppressive Agent

54 citations , February 1994 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

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”

This study found that DPCP treatment led to cosmetically acceptable hair regrowth in 38% of patients with chronic severe alopecia areata, while adding 5% minoxidil showed no significant clinical benefit.

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

101 citations , November 1992 in “Archives of Dermatology”

In this study, tapering prednisone followed by 2% topical minoxidil helped limit hair loss in some patients with alopecia areata, with 30% to 47% showing over 25% hair regrowth initially.

research Alopecia Areata in Children: Response to Treatment with Diphencyprone

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

This study found that 67% of children treated with diphencyprone for alopecia areata or alopecia totalis regrew scalp hair, with 33% achieving complete regrowth.

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

46 citations , June 1990 in “Archives of dermatology”

In this study, combination therapy with 5% minoxidil and 0.5% anthralin showed some cosmetic improvement in 11% of patients with severe treatment-resistant alopecia areata, with hair regrowth starting by week 12.

research Response to Minoxidil in Severe Alopecia Areata Correlates With T Lymphocyte Stimulation

13 citations , December 1987 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study suggests that increased T cell blastogenesis may predict a positive response to topical 5% minoxidil treatment in patients with severe alopecia areata.

research Evaluation of Anthralin in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

109 citations , November 1987 in “Archives of dermatology”

In this study, 0.5%-1.0% anthralin cream led to a cosmetic response in 25% of patients with severe alopecia areata, despite common side effects like pruritus and erythema.

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”

In this study, 5% topical minoxidil was observed to promote hair regrowth in some patients with androgenic alopecia, while no regrowth was noted in patients with alopecia areata.

research Treatment of Alopecia Areata With Steroid Solution

30 citations , December 1972 in “Archives of dermatology”

This report examines efforts to enhance the efficacy of topical steroids for alopecia areata using penetration-enhancing vehicles and exceptionally high concentrations, noting systemic steroids often lead to relapses and toxicity.

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

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

This study found that both intralesional triamcinolone acetonide and triamcinolone hexacetonide promote continuous hair growth in alopecia areata, with effects lasting at least 9 months after a single injection.