Alopecia areata treatments

Alopecia areata can spontaneously come and go naturally. Hair regrowth occurs in 80% of patients. For patients seeking treament, the therapy options for alopecia areata include steroid injections, minoxidil, anthralin, and immunotherapy. Treatment of alopecia areata depends on the extent of the disease and on the patient's age.

• Corticosteroid injections (triamcinolone acetonide) are the most common therapy for adults with less than 50% scalp baldness. Corticosteroids work by suppressing the immune system’s attack on the hair follicles. Hair begins to grow back after 4 weeks of treatment.
• Minoxidil 5% is applied topically to affected areas and stimulates hair regrowth for around 40% of alopecia areata patients.
• Anthralin is a topical cream used for patients suffering from alopecia areata, but is effective for only about 25% of the patients. In those successful cases, hair grows back begins to grow in 2 or 3 months after initial treatment.

Since treatments do not cure alopecia areata, the disease usually redevelops after stopping treatment.