Alopecia Areata
Clinical Characteristics:
Alopecia areata is characterized by patchy scalp hair loss which occasionally affects every hair follicle on the scalp (alopecia totalis), or body (alopecia universalis). The extent of hair loss from Alopecia areata has been classified using the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT). The disease usually occurs between the ages of adolescence and 30 years, but can appear at any age, affecting both sexes equally. Alopecia areata has a rapid onset but tends to spontaneously reverse. |
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Causes:
The causes of alopecia areata are unclear, however, genetic factors, auto-immune mechanisms and the occurrence of stressful and/or emotional problems shortly before the hair loss are all thought to influence the condition.
Treatment:
Treatments for Alopecia areata, used with varying success, include topical and systemic corticosteroids (including injecting steroids into the scalp), PUVA therapy (methoxypsolaren with ultra violet A), dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), squaric acid dibutyl ester, diphencyprone, nicotinic acid, the amino acid tyrosine and hypnotherapy.
The causes of alopecia areata are unclear, however, genetic factors, auto-immune mechanisms and the occurrence of stressful and/or emotional problems shortly before the hair loss are all thought to influence the condition.
Treatment:
Treatments for Alopecia areata, used with varying success, include topical and systemic corticosteroids (including injecting steroids into the scalp), PUVA therapy (methoxypsolaren with ultra violet A), dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), squaric acid dibutyl ester, diphencyprone, nicotinic acid, the amino acid tyrosine and hypnotherapy.
