Efficacy of Acupuncture Therapy in a Patient with Long-Standing Alopecia Areata: A Case Report

Alopecia areata (AA), the second most common form of non-scarring hair loss, has an overall point prevalence of 0.1%-0.2% and a lifetime risk of 1.7-2.5%. This condition can seriously affect patients' self-esteem and body image. Here, we aimed to report a case of persistent AA which was successfully treated with acupuncture therapy after 6 years of disease duration.

A 61-year-old male presented with chronic AA lasting over 6 years. Physical examination revealed three distinct areas of patchy hair loss on the scalp with well-defined borders. According to the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT), the assessment showed S1, B0, and N0, with a SALT score of 15. The patient had received no prior treatment for this condition, and the initial diagnosis at our hospital was as follows: AA, resting phase with migratory characteristics. A comprehensive acupuncture protocol was implemented, consisting of plum-blossom needle tapping, circumferential needling around affected areas, and systemic body acupuncture. Treatment was administered three times weekly. Significant improvement was observed within 2 months, with complete resolution achieved after 9 months of treatment (55 total sessions). The migratory pattern of hair loss gradually diminished during treatment.

This case demonstrates the potential efficacy of acupuncture therapy in managing long-standing AA without pharmacological intervention. The innovative use of alternating acupoint selection protocols may have contributed to the positive outcome. However, the lack of baseline laboratory assessments limits our ability to fully elucidate the therapeutic mechanisms. Future controlled studies with comprehensive biomarker analysis are warranted.