The treatment of alopecia areata

Alopecia areata has an unpredictable course that is not easily altered by treatment. Different treatments will provoke regrowth of terminal hair to a variable extent but may not prevent further hair loss. Corticosteroids are the most popular form of treatment and can be given topically, intralesionally, or, in rare cases, systemically; they work best by intralesional injection of long-acting steroid suspensions. Minoxidil has had limited success in stimulating hair regrowth without altering the course of alopecia areata. Short-contact anthralin therapy has also showed promise, especially in children. Other forms of treatment described herein include contact sensitizers, phototherapy, and immunomodulators such as inosiplex, cyclosporine, and nitrogen mustard.