Evaluation of Serum Calprotectin as a Marker of Activity in Patients with Alopecia Areata

The user is experiencing diffuse thinning and inflammation despite using 2.5mg dutasteride daily, ciclopirox, and ketoconazole shampoos. They are considering treatments like hydroxychloroquine and JAK inhibitors due to suspected scarring alopecia and have faced challenges in obtaining a scalp biopsy.

Increased Malassezia and Cutibacterium in the scalp microbiome are linked to higher sebum production and inflammation in androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Treatments include ciclopirox shampoo, benzoyl peroxide shampoo, clobetasol propionate, calcipotriol, minoxidil, finasteride, and dutasteride.

The user has been using oral finasteride for 15 months and oral minoxidil for 6 months, and developed alopecia areata, for which a dermatologist prescribed calcipotriol/betamethasone. The treatment is helping, but the user is experiencing another shedding phase and is concerned about the effects of the steroid cream and the cause of hair loss.

A 27-year-old male with AGA and diffused thinning has been using oral Minoxidil, Finasteride, Vitamin D, B12, Iron, and Ketoconazole shampoo. Despite a hair transplant and improved blood levels, he continues to experience hair loss and suspects a possible misdiagnosis of Alopecia Areata Incognita.

The conversation discusses alopecia areata and whether diet changes can resolve it. One user mentions that their condition fluctuates without dietary changes, suggesting stress as a possible factor.

A user with alopecia totalis, borderline universalis, seeks advice on getting into a Xeljanz trial or appealing insurance for coverage. They experienced significant hair regrowth but are now seeing hair loss again and want to try Xeljanz.