Update on the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

May 2009 in “ Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas ”

Manuel Galán‐Gutiérrez, A. Rodríguez-Bujaldón, J.C. Moreno‐Giménez

alopecia areata minoxidil corticosteroids contact immunotherapy DPCP systemic treatments immunosuppressors cyclosporine methotrexate biotin zinc biologic therapies Rogaine Diphencyprone Cyclosporin Methotrexate Vitamin B7 Zinc supplements

From the encyclopedia

Alopecia Areata →

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Biotin →

supplement to help with hair texture and quality

Studysummary This review discusses various therapeutic options for alopecia areata and reports no new clinical results; treatments may manage symptoms but do not cure the condition.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The 2009 document reviews treatment options for alopecia areata (AA), highlighting that while treatments like minoxidil, corticosteroids, and contact immunotherapy can promote hair regrowth, they do not cure AA. Contact immunotherapy with DPCP is the most stable and widely used, with a 50% to 60% regrowth rate, but success varies, especially in extensive alopecia. Systemic treatments, including corticosteroids and other immunosuppressors like cyclosporine and methotrexate, are used with caution due to side effects and potential relapse. Methotrexate showed regrowth in 14 out of 22 patients, and biotin and zinc were beneficial in children. Biologic therapies and other miscellaneous treatments have been explored, but more research is needed to confirm their efficacy. The document recommends a stepwise approach to treatment, starting with less aggressive measures and advancing to more aggressive ones based on disease severity and response to treatment.

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Research cited in this study

28 / 28 results

research Combination of Topical Garlic Gel and Betamethasone Valerate Cream in the Treatment of Localized Alopecia Areata: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Study

61 citations , January 2007 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology Venereology and Leprology”

This study found that garlic gel significantly improved the efficacy of topical betamethasone valerate in treating alopecia areata compared to placebo.

research Use of the Pulsed Infrared Diode Laser (904 nm) in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

63 citations , January 2006 in “Journal of cosmetic and laser therapy”

This study found that pulsed infrared diode laser therapy (904 nm) was effective in promoting hair regrowth in 94% of patients with resistant patches of alopecia areata.

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”

This article discusses the potential of latanoprost for treating alopecia areata, but notes that well-controlled studies are still needed to confirm its effectiveness.

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 308-Nm Excimer Laser Therapy in Alopecia Areata

85 citations , November 2004 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

The 308-nm excimer laser helps hair regrowth in some alopecia areata cases but not all.

research Hypertrichosis of the Eyelashes Caused by Bimatoprost

65 citations , November 2004 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This article reports a case where the IOP-lowering drug bimatoprost was associated with eyelash hypertrichosis.

research Guidelines for the Management of Alopecia Areata

182 citations , October 2003 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

These guidelines for alopecia areata management, prepared by the British Association of Dermatologists, provide evidence-based treatment recommendations and insights into the condition's epidemiology, diagnosis, and investigation.

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”

This study found that betamethasone valerate foam was more effective and well-tolerated than betamethasone dipropionate lotion in treating mild-to-moderate alopecia areata, with higher hair regrowth rates observed.

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 Cutaneous Latanoprost in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

22 citations , April 2003 in “Eye”

Applying latanoprost on skin can stimulate hair growth with minimal side effects.

research Dietary Soy Oil Content and Soy-Derived Phytoestrogen Genistein Increase Resistance to Alopecia Areata Onset in C3H/HeJ Mice

61 citations , February 2003 in “Experimental Dermatology”

This study found that increasing dietary soy oil content reduced alopecia areata development in C3H/HeJ mice, though genistein injection showed no significant effect.

research Sulfasalazine for Alopecia Areata

62 citations , April 2002 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, sulfasalazine treatment resulted in cosmetically acceptable hair regrowth in 23% of patients with severe alopecia areata in whom a response could be determined.

research Multi-Injection Plate for Intralesional Corticosteroid Treatment of Patchy Alopecia Areata

16 citations , July 2000 in “Dermatologic surgery”

This paper contains author contact information and disclosures without reporting new research findings or results.

research Twice Weekly 5 mg Dexamethasone Oral Pulse in the Treatment of Extensive Alopecia Areata

65 citations , September 1999 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

In this study, complete to excellent hair regrowth was observed in 63.3% of patients with extensive alopecia areata treated with biweekly dexamethasone pulses, although mild side effects were frequent.

research Efficacy of Topical Sensitizers in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

132 citations , November 1998 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This review evaluates the efficacy and safety of topical sensitizers in treating alopecia areata but reports no new clinical findings.

research Randomized Trial of Aromatherapy for Alopecia Areata

122 citations , November 1998 in “Archives of Dermatology”

This study found that aromatherapy involving essential oils significantly improved symptoms of alopecia areata compared to carrier oils alone in a randomized controlled trial.

research Alopecia Areata in a Renal Transplant Recipient on Cyclosporin

12 citations , November 1996 in “Australasian journal of dermatology”

A kidney transplant patient on cyclosporin experienced unexpected severe hair loss, which improved with treatment adjustments.

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 Pulsed Administration of Corticosteroids in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

117 citations , February 1996 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that monthly oral prednisolone pulses of 300 mg were effective and safe for treating widespread alopecia areata, with 58.3% of patients achieving cosmetically acceptable hair growth.

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.