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.
Prognosis (Expectations)
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: Overview, Causes
Alopecia areata: Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
Alopecia areata: Treatment
Review Date : 10/3/2008
Reviewed By : 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.
Reviewed By : 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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