TLDR Oral betamethasone mini-pulses effectively treat moderate to severe alopecia areata with manageable side effects.
This study on 40 patients at Ibn Sina University Hospital in Morocco found that oral betamethasone mini-pulses are an effective and well-tolerated treatment for moderate to severe alopecia areata (AA), with 62.5% of patients experiencing significant hair regrowth and 25% achieving complete regrowth. Mild adverse events occurred in 20% of cases, and relapses were noted in 15%, often linked to autoimmune thyroiditis and vitamin D deficiency. Better outcomes were associated with patchy AA and lower baseline SALT scores. The study suggests that betamethasone is more effective than azathioprine and that combining it with methotrexate improves outcomes. Despite its retrospective design and small sample size, the study supports betamethasone as a viable option in resource-limited settings, recommending larger studies for further validation.
Alopecia Areata causes hair loss and needs treatments that address both physical and emotional health.
4 citations,
January 2024 in “JEADV. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology/Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Baricitinib and ritlecitinib are recommended for severe alopecia areata, with other treatments available off-label.
October 2023 in “Dermatology practical & conceptual” Pulse corticosteroids help regrow hair in alopecia areata but have side effects, especially betamethasone.
September 2023 in “Dermatology and therapy” Ritlecitinib effectively improves hair growth in alopecia areata patients, regardless of hair loss pattern.
10 citations,
January 2019 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology” Weekly azathioprine pulse is a better alternative to corticosteroids for treating alopecia areata due to fewer side effects.
8 citations,
July 2018 in “The Journal of Dermatology” Current corticosteroid pulse therapy is not very effective for severe rapidly progressive alopecia areata.
14 citations,
January 2011 in “International Journal of Trichology” Some people with severe, long-lasting baldness responded well to a specific combination treatment.
April 2019 in “International journal of research in dermatology” A child with rough nails also had hair loss and allergies.
