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Alopecia Areata Treatment 

Alopecia Areata is a form of baldness that can occur at any age and which comes about as the result of an autoimmune response. The immune system is designed to protect the body from invasion by infection, but in this case it mistakenly attacks the hair follicles which decrease in size and efficiency and this in turn leads to hair loss. Scientists believe that some of us are genetically prone to this problem, which can be triggered by virus infections. The progress of the condition is unpredictable. Hair may regrow only to fall out again.

Corticosteroids may help. They can either be taken internally or applied topically. However they are extremely strong drugs and should only be taken on medical advice. Results may be seen in as little as 4 weeks. Topical injections avoid some of the side effects that could result from oral administration such as hypertension and cataracts.. However, the injections are painful, and so not suitable in children. Administration may have to be repeated monthly. Corticosteroid creams can be used with less trauma. These work best when combined with other treatments such as Monoxidil or Anthralin.

Minoxidil 5% Minoxidil (5%) (Rogaine*)--Topical minoxidil solution promotes hair growth in several conditions in which the hair follicle is small and not growing to its full potential. Minoxidil is FDA-approved for treating male and female pattern hair loss. It may also be useful in promoting hair growth in alopecia areata. The solution, applied twice daily, has been shown to promote hair growth in both adults and children, and may be used on the scalp, brow, and beard areas. With regular and proper use of the solution, new hair growth appears in about 12 weeks.

Anthralin is also commonly used to treat alopecia areata. Anthralin is applied for 20 to 60 minutes ("short contact therapy") to avoid skin irritation, which is not needed for the drug to work. When it works, new hair growth is usually evident in 8 to 12 weeks. Anthralin is often used in combination with other treatments, such as corticosteroid injections or Minoxidil, for improved results.

 Sulfasalazine--A sulfa drug,  has been used as a treatment for different autoimmune disorders, including psoriasis. It acts on the immune system and has been used to some effect in patients with severe alopecia areata.
Topical sensitizers are medications that, when applied to the scalp, provoke an allergic reaction that leads to itching, scaling, and eventually hair growth. If the medication works, new hair growth is usually established in 3 to 12 months.

In photochemotherapy, a treatment used most commonly for psoriasis, a person is given a light-sensitive drug called a psoralen either orally or topically and then exposed to an ultraviolet light source. This combined treatment is called PUVA. In clinical trials, approximately 55 percent of people achieve cosmetically acceptable hair growth using photochemotherapy. However, the relapse rate is high, and patients must go to a special centre for treatment at least two to three times per week. Furthermore, the treatment carries the risk of developing skin cancer.

Alternative therapies – these are many and various, including Chinese herbs, acupuncture and taking Evening Primrose. However, in most cases proper clinical trials have not been undertaken.