Systemic Treatment for Alopecia Areata

May 2011 in “ Dermatologic therapy ”

Nina Otberg

alopecia areata multifocal alopecia areata alopecia areata totalis alopecia areata universalis systemic agents

TLDR Effective treatments for severe alopecia areata are still lacking.

Alopecia areata affected 1.7% of the global population at some point in their lives, with an unknown etiology and unpredictable course. Effective treatments for severe forms, such as multifocal alopecia areata, alopecia areata totalis, and alopecia areata universalis, were lacking. The article discussed the side effects and relapse rates of various systemic agents used to treat severe and rapidly progressing alopecia areata.

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Research cited in this study

14 / 14 results

research Genome-Wide Association Study in Alopecia Areata Implicates Both Innate and Adaptive Immunity

717 citations , June 2010 in “Nature”

Alopecia areata involves both innate and adaptive immunity, with specific genes linked to the disease.

research Alopecia Areata Update

391 citations , January 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Half of people with Alopecia Areata may see hair regrowth within a year without treatment, but recovery is unpredictable.

research Alopecia Areata Following Adalimumab

38 citations , January 2009 in “Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery”

A woman developed hair loss after starting a treatment with adalimumab, suggesting this medication might cause hair loss.

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45 citations , July 2008 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Sulfasalazine may help treat persistent alopecia areata.

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69 citations , December 2006 in “Archives of dermatology”

Adalimumab may cause severe hair loss in some patients.

research Intralesional Treatment of Alopecia Areata with Triamcinolone Acetonide by Jet Injector

100 citations , July 2006 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Triamcinolone acetonide injections help hair regrow quickly in mild alopecia but not in severe cases.

research A Comparison of the Efficacy, Relapse Rate, and Side Effects Among Three Modalities of Systemic Corticosteroid Therapy for Alopecia Areata

97 citations , January 2006 in “Dermatology”

imTA and pulse therapy are effective for alopecia areata with manageable side effects, but relapse rates need improvement.

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23 citations , October 2005 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Two transplant patients on cyclosporine unexpectedly developed hair loss.

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75 citations , June 2005 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Etanercept may not prevent alopecia areata from coming back.

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Finasteride and minoxidil are effective for hair loss, but continued research is needed for better treatments.

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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.

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A 300 mg monthly pulse of prednisolone effectively and safely treats widespread alopecia areata.

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Minoxidil didn't increase scalp blood flow for hair growth, but hexyl nicotinate did.

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Large doses of glucocorticoids are not suitable for general use in treating severe alopecia areata due to inconsistent results and risks.

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research Alopecia Areata: A Multifactorial Autoimmune Condition

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research Treating Resistant Cases of Alopecia Universalis

May 2018 in “Journal of cosmetology & trichology”

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