Alopecia Areata Update

As of 2015, there was no cure for alopecia areata (AA), an autoimmune disease causing nonscarring hair loss in both children and adults. Treatment success varied depending on factors such as disease duration, activity, patient age, and extent of hair loss. While patchy and limited cases were relatively easy to manage, extensive scalp and body hair loss presented a significant challenge. Physicians typically selected a cost-effective treatment approach based on these factors. The document reviewed the clinical presentation, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and current and evolving treatments for AA.