Treatment FAQ

which of the following may be treatment for alopecia?

by Leonard Stanton Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Medication

Although there are currently no treatments that work for everyone with alopecia areata, some treatments are effective for some people. Depending on which type of alopecia areata you have, your age and the extent of hair loss, there are a variety of treatment options available.

Procedures

Used this treatment for more than 30 years to treat widespread alopecia areata Found that about 60% to 70% of patients have some hair regrowth If this is an option, you will need to return to your dermatologist’s office weekly for treatment. It’s important that you keep every appointment.

Nutrition

What is alopecia? Alopecia is hair loss or balding. It may happen on any part of the body. There are many types of alopecia. Some types cause temporary hair loss and your hair will grow back. With other types, hair loss can get worse, and become permanent. What are some types and causes of alopecia?

Is there a cure for alopecia areata?

Androgenic alopecia is a common genetic condition that affects people of all genders. Male pattern baldness usually starts with a receding hairline or hair loss on the crown.

How often should I see a dermatologist for alopecia areata?

What is alopecia?

What is androgenic alopecia and how is it treated?

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What is a good treatment for alopecia?

Treatments for mild alopecia areataINTRALESIONAL CORTICOSTEROID INJECTIONS. This method of treatment — the most common form of treatment for alopecia areata — uses corticosteroids that are injected into bare patches of skin with a tiny needle. ... TOPICAL MINOXIDIL. ... ANTHRALIN CREAM OR OINTMENT. ... TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROIDS.

Which drugs are used to treat alopecia?

Two medicines, namely finasteride and minoxidil, are used in the treatment of male-pattern baldness. Minoxidil is currently the only medicine available to treat female-pattern baldness. Finasteride is available as oral tablets which are only used for men.

How do you treat alopecia naturally?

Nutritious foods such as fruit and leafy greens can also prevent hair loss and stimulate healthy hair growth. “One natural treatment option for androgenic alopecia for men and women is injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

What is the latest treatment for alopecia areata?

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Olumiant (baricitinib) oral tablets to treat adult patients with severe alopecia areata, a disorder that often appears as patchy baldness and affects more than 300,000 people in the U.S. each year.

Who makes drugs for alopecia?

Pfizer's ritlecitinib joined Lilly and Incyte's Olumiant on the list of drugs to hit the primary endpoint in pivotal alopecia trials on Wednesday—and Concert Pharmaceuticals is following closely behind. Pfizer is yet to share numbers from the phase 2b/3, but the top-line overview is positive.

What is the treatment for alopecia totalis?

Treatment for alopecia universalis This condition is classified as an autoimmune disease, so your doctor may recommend corticosteroids to suppress your immune system. You may also be given topical treatments. Topical immunotherapies stimulate the immune system.

What steroid is used for alopecia?

Triamcinolone (Kenalog) is a steroid solution that has been used as a treatment for alopecia areata for over 50 years. It is administered via injection into the scalp and appears to have some efficacy for patients with mild to moderate alopecia areata.

How do men treat alopecia?

There's no cure for male-pattern baldness, but some medications can slow it down. Minoxidil is an FDA-approved, over-the-counter treatment you apply to your scalp. It slows the rate of loss and helps some guys grow new hair. But once you stop using it, hair loss returns.

Is there a permanent cure for alopecia?

Not currently. However, there are several treatment options that might slow down hair loss or even help your hair grow back faster.

Can your hair grow back if you have alopecia?

In some cases, yes. Hair may grow back, though it may also fall out again.

Can alopecia be prevented?

No. Alopecia is an autoimmune disorder that can be the result of several factors. These may include family history, other autoimmune conditions, sk...

What is the best treatment for alopecia areata?

Medication (JAK inhibitors): The discovery that this type of medication can treat extensive hair loss in people who have alopecia areata is a major research breakthrough. The JAK inhibitors that have been studied include tofacitinib, ruxolitinib, and baricitinib.

How to treat alopecia areata?

If you are older than 10 years of age and have a few patches of alopecia areata, your dermatologist may recommend one or more of the following treatments: Injections of corticosteroids: To help your hair regrow, your dermatologist will inject this medication into the bald areas.

How long does it take for alopecia areata to regrow?

If you just received your diagnosis and have had alopecia areata for less than a year, your dermatologist may recommend a wait-and-see approach. Your hair may regrow on its own, making treatment unnecessary. When treatment becomes necessary, your dermatologist will consider many factors, including: Your age.

How long does it take for hair to regrow after taking prednisone?

Corticosteroid you take: Taking this medication for about 6 weeks can help regrow hair. In a study of 32 patients with widespread alopecia areata, many had some regrowth after taking prednisone (a type of corticosteroid) for 6 weeks. While this medication can help regrow hair, it cannot be taken for long.

How to regrow hair in 10 year old?

Treatment options for children 10 years of age and younger are: Corticosteroid you apply to the bald spots: Prescription-strength corticosteroids can help regrow hair. You apply this medication once or twice a day.

How long does it take for hair to regrow after a patchy scalp?

In one study of 127 patients with patchy hair loss, more than 80% who were treated with these injections had at least half of their hair regrow within 12 weeks.

What is the best tool to find out what is causing hair loss?

Dermatologist examining a patient with hair loss. To find out what's causing your hair loss, a dermatologist may use a tool called a dermascope to get a closer look. Many things can cause hair loss. To provide you with the right treatment, it’s essential to know what’s causing your hair loss.

What is the treatment for alopecia?

Topical immunotherapy is used to treat extensive alopecia areata, alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis. This form of treatment involves applying chemicals such as diphencyprone (DPCP), dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) or squaric acid dibutyl ester (SADBE) to the scalp. This causes an allergic rash (allergic contact dermatitis) that looks like poison oak or ivy, which alters the immune response.

What is the best treatment for alopecia areata?

TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROIDS. In alopecia areata, corticosteroids are thought to decrease the inflammation around the hair follicle. Topical steroids can come in different brands, strengths and preparations, such as solutions, lotions, foams, creams, or ointments.

What are the goals of alopecia areata therapy?

Goals of therapy include stopping active hair loss and regrowing hair. Learn more about your options and the challenges for treatment, whether you have just a few patches or more extensive hairloss. Get the latest alopecia areata news and research, so you can stay at the forefront of advancements in treatment.

What to do if there is no cure for alopecia areata?

Goals of therapy include stopping active hair loss and regrowing hair.

What is the name of the drug that is used to treat alopecia areata?

Immunomodulatory drugs — specifically, Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors — such as tofacitinib (Xeljanz) and ruxolitinib (Jakafi), are a new type of therapy being tested for alopecia areata. These medications were originally approved to treat certain blood disorders and rheumatoid arthritis.

Can you take corticosteroid for alopecia areata?

Healthy, young adults can usually tolerate corticosteroid pills with few side effects. However, doctors do not prescribe corticosteroid pills as often as other treatments for alopecia areata , because of the health risks and side effects associated with using them for a long period of time.

Can minoxidil be used for alopecia areata?

Two and 5% topical minoxidil solutions are available but aren’t usually effective for alopecia areata when used alone, but when applied in combination with topical corticosteroid medications, some people see improved results.

What is alopecia areata?

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune skin disease in which your body attacks its own hair follicles and causes hair loss, mostly in patches on the scalp, face, or entire body.

How long does it take for alopecia to grow?

According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, this medication is applied on the bald patches once a day and left for around 30-60 minutes and then washed off. It causes skin irritation and may trigger hair growth within 8 to 12 weeks. “It is used as a topical medication, often as a short-limited contact application to the scalp and is somewhat effective, less consistently effective than injections,” Evans says.

How long does it take for a dermatologist to give a corticosteroid injection?

“Corticosteroid injections are generally given by a board certified dermatologist monthly for 3-6 months directly into the affected areas — very effective for more localized disease — i.e., individual discrete patches of hair loss.

How much does corticosteroids help hair growth?

According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, highly potent topical corticosteroids may improve hair regrowth by about 25% . “Topical steroids are less effective generally than injections but may be appropriate to try in children or anyone who is more needle-phobic,” Evans says.

How often should I use minoxidil for hair loss?

Topical Minoxidil. If you have mild hair loss, you can apply a topical minoxidil solution once or twice a day to trigger hair growth on the scalp and face. “It can be used but better as an adjunct to injections — used alone it is not very effective,” Evans says.

Can you use a chemical to grow hair?

Your doctor applies a chemical to the scalp which leads to an allergic rash. It alters the immune response and promotes hair growth. “This is another topical option when the above topicals and injections have failed or as an adjunct to the above treatment,” Evans says.

What is the treatment for androgenic alopecia?

Your genes and your environment seem to play roles in causing androgenic alopecia. Treatments include the drugs minoxidil (Rogaine) and finasteride (Propecia). A 2019 study in the journal Dermatologic Surgery says platelet-rich plasma shows promise in treating the condition.

Why do I have alopecia?

Traction alopecia. This is caused by putting stress on hair through repeated pulling or stretching. “You can develop this condition if you often wear your hair in a tight ponytail, buns, dreadlocks, hair extensions, weaves, or braids,” says Armani. “In time, the continuous pulling can damage hair follicles.

What is the treatment for bald patches?

Medications that you put on your bald patches. Steroid shots that your dermatologist gives you in the office. Chemicals your dermatologist applies to your scalp for extensive hair loss (also called topical immunotherapy) Alopecia totalis. This is a form of alopecia aerata that makes you lose all the hair on your scalp.

What is the umbrella term for hair loss?

Alopecia is an umbrella term for hair loss. There are several kinds, and your treatment options depend on the type you have. Talk to a board-certified dermatologist or trichologist to get a proper diagnosis.

What is the term for alopecia areata?

Alopecia areata. This is also known as patchy baldness.

How to reverse traction alopecia?

Switching over to less-damaging hairstyles and rotating hairstyles can go a long way toward reversing traction alopecia. “Hair transplantation is the most common medical treatment for chronic cases,” says Armani. It is better to catch it early and modify hairstyles to prevent the progression of traction alopecia.

Can bald patches grow back?

Alopecia areata is a type of autoimmune disease —your immune system attacks your hair follicles by mistake. Your hair may grow back on its own without treatment.

How does alopecia areata affect the body?

Alopecia areata affects any part of the body, including the scalp. It may be caused by your immun e system attack ing your hair follicles. It may start with patchy hair loss. Many people will recover from this condition within a year. Alopecia areata may come back or lead to more severe hair loss.

What to do if you have hair loss?

If your hair loss is severe, you may need one or more of the following treatments: Hair growing agents help promote hair growth.

What is the name of the condition that causes hair to grow smaller?

Androgenic alopecia is also known as male or female pattern baldness and affects the scalp. It is a genetic condition that causes the hair follicles to get smaller and produce less hair over time. It usually starts at 20 to 40 years of age and is more common in men.

What is the reason for pulling out your hair?

Trichotillomania is a behavior disorder that causes a strong urge to pull out your hair. Tinea capitis is an example of alopecia that is caused by infection. Alopecia can be caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. Alopecia mucinosa and alopecia neoplastica are examples of alopecia caused by cancer.

How many hairs can a punch biopsy look at?

He or she will gently tug on about 60 hairs. If more than 6 hairs come out, they may be sent for tests. A punch biopsy is done to look at your scalp. Your healthcare provider will get 2 samples of scalp tissue and send for tests.

Does estrogen affect hair growth?

Estrogen can reduce the effects of male hormones on hair growth. This treatment is used in women with female pattern baldness. Immunologic agents affect the immune system cells that may be attacking hair follicles. This treatment is used to treat alopecia areata.

Can you take antibiotics for alopecia?

Antibiotics or antifungals may be needed if your alopecia is caused by an infection. Hair transplant surgery removes hair follicles from one part of your head and puts them into the bald area. This is usually done only if your condition is severe and medicines fail to improve your hair loss.

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Treatment

Uses

Symptoms

Interactions

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Aakash Gupta
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Treatment includes medications, surgery, laser therapy, wigs, and hairpieces.
Medication

Oral corticosteroids: Reduce inflammation. Used to treat autoimmune conditions such as alopecia areata.

Prednisone


Antihypertensive vasodilator: Prevents further hair loss, and in some people, stimulates hair growth.

Minoxidil


Hormone modulators: For women, oral contraceptives or anti-androgens would be beneficial.

Spironolactone . Flutamide


5-alpha reductase inhibitors: Given to men for treating pattern baldness.

Finasteride

Procedures

Hair transplantation: Follicular unit extraction(FUE) or Follicular unit transplant (FUT) is recommended. Small sections of the skin containing healthy hair is removed and are transplanted onto the thinning areas. Usually recommended as optional procedure.

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Iron rich foods such as spinach
  • Vitamin A containing foods such as carrots
  • Protein rich foods such as eggs, milk
  • Zinc-rich foods like green peas, eggs, wheat germ, and chickpeas

Foods to avoid:

  • NA

Specialist to consult

Dermatologist
Specializes in the study of the skin and its disorders.
Primary care physician
Specializes in the acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health.

Risks

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This method of treatment the most common form of treatment for alopecia areata uses corticosteroids that are injected into bare patches of skin with a tiny needle. These injections are repeated about every four to six weeks and are usually given by a dermatologist. With this form of treatment, a 5% topical minoxidil solution is …
See more on naaf.org

Prognosis

  • Topical minoxidil is not considered effective on its own in treating patients with extensive hair loss. This synthetic, tar-like substance also widely used for psoriasis is a common form of treatment for alopecia areata. Anthralin is applied to the hairless patches once a day and then washed off typically after a short time (usually 30-60 minutes later) or in some cases, after sever…
See more on naaf.org

Side effects

  • If new hair growth from anthralin application happens, it is usually visible within eight to 12 weeks.
See more on naaf.org

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