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Alopecia areata - Treatment

Alternative Names

Alopecia totalis; Alopecia universalis

Treatment:

No fully effective treatments are available. Typical therapy includes:

Steroid injection under the skin surface
Topical corticosteroids
Ultraviolet light therapy

Irritating drugs may be applied to hairless areas to cause the hair to regrow.

Expectations (prognosis):

Full recovery of hair is common. However, some people may have a poorer outcome, including those with:

Alopecia areata at a young age
Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
Long-term alopecia

Complications:

Permanent hair loss is a possible complication of alopecia areata.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you are concerned about hair loss.

Alopecia areata with pustules

Alopecia totalis - back view of the head

Alopecia totalis - front view of the head

Alopecia, under treatment

Reviewed last on: 10/3/2008
Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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