[Alopecia areata in children]

Alopecia areata is a hair disease of unknown origin characterized by the sudden appearance of one or more bald patches. This disorder may develop in adults as well as in children. In childhood there is often an association with atopy. Most investigators feel that alopecia areata is an auto-immune phenomenon with heterogeneous aetiology. This article deals with hypotheses for the development of alopecia areata stressing also the psychosomatic aspects. Different therapy modalities have been propagated in alopecia areata, though complete satisfactory effects have been achieved by none. In childhood application of dithranol and locally applied corticosteroids are the only suitable therapeutic possibilities. Insufficient insight into the pathogenesis and associations of this disorder in childhood warrants further investigations.