Alopecia areata update: Part II. Treatment

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Vol. 62; no. 2; pp. 191 - 202
• Main Authors: ALKHALIFAH, Abdullah, ALSANTALI, Adel, WANG, Eddy, MCELWEE, Kevin J, SHAPIRO, Jerry
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier 01.02.2010
• Subjects: Administration, Topical; Adrenal Cortex Hormones - adverse effects; Adult; Alopecia Areata - drug therapy; Alopecia Areata - psychology; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Cyclopropanes - therapeutic use; Cyclosporine - therapeutic use; Dermatology; Hair - growth & development; Hair and nails disorders; Haptens - therapeutic use; Humans; Immunotherapy; Injections, Intralesional; Laser Therapy; Medical sciences; Methotrexate - therapeutic use; Minoxidil - therapeutic use; Photochemotherapy - adverse effects; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Rats; Recurrence; Research Design; Social Support; Sulfasalazine - adverse effects; Treatment Outcome; Triamcinolone Acetonide - therapeutic use; Hair (head); Hair; Skin disease; Treatment; Dermatology; Alopecia areata
• ISSN: 0190-9622; 1097-6787
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2009.10.031

Various therapeutic agents have been described for the treatment of alopecia areata (AA), but none are curative or preventive. The aim of AA treatment is to suppress the activity of the disease. The high rate of spontaneous remission and the paucity of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies make the evidence-based assessment of these therapies difficult. The second part of this two-part series on AA discusses treatment options in detail and suggests treatment plans according to specific disease presentation. It also reviews recently reported experimental treatment options and potential directions for future disease management. After completing this learning activity, participants should be able to compare the efficacy and safety of various treatment options, formulate a treatment plan tailored to individual patients, and recognize recently described treatments and potential therapeutic approaches.