Alopecia Areata: Part 2: Treatment

September 2015 in “ PubMed ”

Frank C. Spano, Jeff Donovan

alopecia areata intralesional triamcinolone topical steroids minoxidil oral immunosuppressants topical diphenylcyclopropenone anthralin prostaglandin analogues hair prostheses AA Rogaine

TLDR Alopecia areata can be managed with various treatments, and severe cases should be referred to dermatologists.

The document reviewed treatments for alopecia areata (AA), an autoimmune hair loss condition, emphasizing individualized care due to varied patient responses. First-line treatments included intralesional triamcinolone, topical steroids, and minoxidil, with more advanced cases requiring oral immunosuppressants or topical agents like DPCP. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) showed promise, especially for scalp AA, while prostaglandin analogues had mixed results for eyelash AA. Psychological impacts were significant, necessitating monitoring for anxiety and depression. The document concluded with a case study of a young man achieving significant hair regrowth with DPCP therapy and triamcinolone injections.

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Research cited in this study

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A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo- and Active-Controlled, Half-Head Study to Evaluate the Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Alopecia Areata

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Diphencyprone can help some children with alopecia areata regrow hair, but it often causes side effects.

research A Review of Scalp Camouflaging Agents and Prostheses for Individuals with Hair Loss

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Using wigs, hairpieces, and sprays can help people with hair loss feel better about themselves.

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Guidelines suggest various treatments for alopecia areata, but leaving it untreated is also an option as 80% cases may recover on their own.

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research Randomized Comparison of Topical Betamethasone Valerate Foam, Intralesional Triamcinolone Acetonide, and Tacrolimus Ointment in Management of Localized Alopecia Areata

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research Bimatoprost in the Treatment of Eyelash Universalis Alopecia Areata

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Bimatoprost helped eyelash growth in nearly half of the patients with a type of eyelash hair loss.

research Latanoprost in the Treatment of Eyelash Alopecia in Alopecia Areata Universalis

50 citations, December 2009 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Latanoprost can effectively treat eyelash hair loss, with 45% of patients showing hair regrowth and no reported side effects.

research The Efficacy of Latanoprost in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata of Eyelashes and Eyebrows

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Latanoprost, a glaucoma treatment, was found ineffective in treating hair loss in eyebrows and eyelashes.

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Triamcinolone acetonide injections help hair regrow quickly in mild alopecia but not in severe cases.

research Lack of Efficacy of Topical Latanoprost in the Treatment of Eyebrow Alopecia Areata

36 citations, November 2005 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Topical latanoprost doesn't effectively regrow hair in severe eyebrow alopecia areata cases.

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”

Betamethasone valerate foam is more effective and safe for treating mild-to-moderate alopecia areata than betamethasone dipropionate lotion.

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.

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research Treatment-Resistant Alopecia Areata: Response to Combination Therapy with Minoxidil Plus Anthralin

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Using minoxidil and anthralin together can improve hair regrowth in severe alopecia areata patients who didn't respond to individual treatments.

research Evaluation of Anthralin in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

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research Topical Minoxidil (3%) in Extensive Alopecia Areata, Including Long-Term Efficacy

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research Topical Minoxidil Solution (1% and 5%) in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

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

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

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