Alopecia Areata
I. Definition:
Alopecia areata is the name for a condition in which round patches of hair loss appear suddenly. The hair-growing tissue is attacked by the patient's own immune cells for unknown reasons. There are three stages: first, there is sudden hair loss, then the patches of hair loss enlarge, and last, new hair grows back. This process takes months, sometimes more than a year, but rarely does the hair never grow back.
II. Causes:
- We do not know why the immune cells attack the hair-growing tissue.
- Alopecia areata is not contagious, not caused by foods, and is not the result of nervousness.
- Alopecia areata sometimes runs in families.
III. Treatment:
- Cortisone injections often stimulate hair regrowth. Twenty to thirty injections per patch are required once a month. The injections are uncomfortable. Cortisone injections only work in the areas that have been injected; the injections do not prevent new areas of hair loss. It generally takes one to two months after the injection before hair growth is visible.
- Some patients do not respond to any treatment. We cannot predict which patients will respond to treatment.
- Cortisone creams are also sometimes beneficial in the treatment of alopecia areata.
- For more information click the link below:
The National Alopecia Areata Foundation
(415) 456-4644