Diagnosis and Treatment of Alopecia Areata

In 2016, a document outlined the diagnosis and treatment of alopecia areata (AA), a chronic autoimmune disease causing hair loss. AA has a 1.7% lifetime risk and is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Diagnosis is complex due to conditions with similar symptoms, but can be aided by patient history, hair pull tests, and skin biopsies or dermoscopy. There is no cure or preventive treatment for AA, and options vary based on age and severity of hair loss. Indicators of poor prognosis include atopy, other immune diseases, family history, early onset, and ophiasis pattern. Treatments range from topical steroids to cyclosporine, but recurrence cannot be prevented. Prognosis is generally better for those with limited scalp involvement but poorer for those with extensive hair loss, early-onset, and recurrent cases. The document serves as a guideline for clinicians in diagnosing and treating AA, emphasizing the importance of understanding the disease's pathophysiology, diagnosis challenges, and treatment strategies.