Alopecia areata is a recurrent nonscarring type of hair loss that can affect any hair-bearing area and can manifest in many different patterns. Although it is a benign condition and most patients are asymptomatic, it can cause emotional and psychosocial distress.
TREATMENT
Treatment is not mandatory, because the condition is benign, and spontaneous remissions and recurrences are common. Treatment can be topical or systemic
Corticosteroids
Intralesional corticosteroid therapy is usually recommended for alopecia areata with less than 50% involvement.
Immunotherapy
Anthralin
Minoxidil
Psoralen plus UV-A
Cosmetic treatment
- Dermatography has been used to camouflage the eyebrows of patients with alopecia areata; on average, 2-3 sessions lasting 1 hour each were required for each patient
Hairpieces are useful for patients with extensive disease
