TLDR Systemic corticosteroids don't prevent severe alopecia areata from spreading or relapsing.
The study investigated the effectiveness of systemic corticosteroids in treating severe alopecia areata in 18 patients. Satisfactory hair regrowth was observed in 7 patients (38.9%). However, hair loss recurred in all patients upon discontinuation or tapering of the corticosteroid therapy. The study concluded that while systemic corticosteroids could induce hair regrowth, they did not prevent the spread or relapse of severe alopecia areata, and sustained regrowth was rarely maintained off therapy.
117 citations,
February 1996 in “International Journal of Dermatology” A 300 mg monthly pulse of prednisolone effectively and safely treats widespread alopecia areata.
2 citations,
January 1996 in “Annals of saudi medicine/Annals of Saudi medicine” Alopecia areata is unpredictable, with limited treatment effectiveness, especially in severe cases.
14 citations,
January 1985 in “International Journal of Dermatology” The cause of alopecia areata was unknown, and while various treatments existed, no best treatment was agreed upon.
122 citations,
November 1984 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” No single treatment is consistently effective for alopecia areata, and more research is needed.
October 2022 in “Journal of Armed Forces Medical College, Bangladesh” Tofacitinib is effective and safe for treating alopecia areata.
5 citations,
June 2015 in “Veterinary dermatology” A dog with complete hair loss regrew most hair after treatment, with no relapse after stopping treatment.
January 2014 in “DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals)” Minoxidil can effectively treat patchy hair loss by stimulating hair growth.
