Alopecia Areata (cont.)
Who is affected by alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata tends to occur most often in children, teens, and young adults. However, it can also affect older individuals and rarely toddlers. Alopecia areata in not contagious. It should not be confused with the hair shedding that may occur following the discontinuation of hormonal estrogen and progesterone therapies for birth control or the hair shedding associated with the end of pregnancy.
How is alopecia areata diagnosed?
The characteristic finding of alopecia areata is the
exclamation point hair. These unusual hairs can be found in areas of
hair loss. They are visible with a hand lens as short, broken off
hairs that are narrower closer to the scalp (appearing like an
exclamation point). A biopsy of the scalp is sometimes necessary for
a diagnosis.
How is alopecia areata treated?
In approximately 50% of patients, hair will regrow within a
year without any treatment. The longer the period of time of hair
loss, the less likelihood that the hair will regrow. A variety of treatments can
be tried. Steroid injections, creams, and shampoos (such as clobetasol or fluocinonide)
for the scalp have been used for many
years. Other medications include minoxidil, irritants (anthralin or
topical coal tar), and topical immunotherapy (cyclosporine), each of
which are sometimes used in different combinations.
A study
reported in the journal Archives of Dermatology (vol. 134,
1998;1349-52) showed effectiveness of aromatherapy essential oils
(cedarwood, lavender, thyme, and rosemary oils) in some patients. As
with many chronic disorders for which there is no single treatment, a variety
of remedies are promoted which in fact have no benefit. There is no known effective method of prevention, although the elimination of emotional stress is felt to be helpful. No drugs or hair-care products have been associated with the onset of alopecia areata. Much research remains to be completed on this complex condition.
- Alopecia areata is a hair-loss condition which usually affects the scalp.
- Alopecia areata typically causes one or more patches of hair loss.
- Alopecia areata tends to affect younger individuals, both male and female.
- An autoimmune disorder, in which the immune system attacks hair follicles, is believed to cause alopecia areata.
- For most patients, the condition resolves without treatment within a year, but hair loss is sometimes permanent.
- A number of treatments are known to aid in hair regrowth. Multiple treatments may be necessary, and none consistently works for all patients.
- Many treatments are promoted which have not proven to be of benefit.
Last Editorial Review: 8/30/2007
- minoxidil, Rogaine - Clarifies the medication minoxidil (Rogaine) a drug that increases hair growth . Article includes descriptions, uses, drug interactions, and side effects.
- Vitiligo - Learn about the symptoms, diagnosis, research and treatment of vitiligo, an incurable pigmentation disorder and autoimmune disease that causes white patches (depigmentation) on the skin.
- Hair Loss - Learn about the causes of hair loss (female- and male-pattern baldness, thyroid disease, alopecia, chemotherapy) and treatments for thinning hair (Rogaine, Propecia, transplant, medications).
Latest Medical News
Skin RSS