Treatments for Alopecia
Alopecia: Is the Diagnosis Correct?
The first step in getting correct treatment is
to get a correct diagnosis.
Differential diagnosis list for Alopecia may include:
Hidden causes of Alopecia may be incorrectly diagnosed:
Hospital statistics for Alopecia:
These medical statistics relate to hospitals, hospitalization and Alopecia:
- 0.0004% (54) of hospital consultant episodes were for alopecia areata in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- 98% of hospital consultant episodes for alopecia areata required hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- 31% of hospital consultant episodes for alopecia areata were for men in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- 69% of hospital consultant episodes for alopecia areata were for women in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- 8% of hospital consultant episodes for alopecia areata required emergency hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- more hospital information...»
Medical news summaries about treatments for Alopecia:
The following medical news items
are relevant to treatment of Alopecia:
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Book Excerpts: Treatment of Alopecia
Treatments of Alopecia: Online Medical Books
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Alopecia:
Treatment
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
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Once an area of scarring alopecia has developed, no hair will ever regrow in that area; the goal of treatment is to make the diagnosis and treat to avoid further hair loss
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Wigs and/or hair transplants (punch grafts of follicles from androgen-insensitive areas to androgen-sensitive bald areas)
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Androgenetic alopecia: Oral finasteride is currently approved for men only; visible results take 3–4 months; topical minoxidil provides moderate growth within 4–12 months; in women, use antiandrogens (e.g., spironolactone, cimetidine, flutamide) if adrenal androgens are increased
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Telogen effluvium: Reassure that recovery is the norm
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Anagen effluvium: Withdraw drug or treat illness
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Alopecia areata: Superpotent steroids, intralesional steroid injections, cyclosporine, glucocorticoids, PUVA
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Tinea capitus/kerion: Oral antifungals
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Treat the inciting causes of scarring alopecia (e.g., folliculitis, lupus; prevent ingrown follicles)
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004
Alopecia:
Treatment
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
-
Elimination of the precipitating factor/agent
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Tinea capitis: Oral griseofulvin for 4–6 weeks; oral itraconazole, terbinafine, or fluconazole can also be used; selenium sulfide shampoo decreases fungal shedding and hastens healing of lesions
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Alopecia areata: Topical steroids, PUVA, intradermal corticosteroid injections, very rarely systemic steroids
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Kerion is treated with griseofulvin and sometimes with corticosteroids; antimicrobials are not necessary unless secondary infection is suspected
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Use of cooling or a scalp tourniquet during the IV use of certain chemostatic agents (e.g., vincristine)
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Male pattern alopecia: Topical minoxidil, plastic surgery techniques, implantation of nylon filaments
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Psychological assistance; psychiatric evaluation should be considered in trichotillomania and in certain cases antidepressant treatment (fluoxetine, clomipramine)
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007
Alopecia:
Treatment
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Topical application of minoxidil, a peripheral vasodilator more typically used as an oral antihypertensive, has limited success in treating male-pattern alopecia. An alternative treatment is surgical redistribution of hair follicles by autografting. Oral finasteride has been shown to reverse androgenic loss, but it’s approved only for use in men.
In alopecia areata, minoxidil is effective, although treatment is often unnecessary because spontaneous regrowth is common. Intralesional corticosteroid injections are beneficial for small patches and may produce regrowth in 4 to 6 weeks. Anthralin, topical high-potency corticosteroids, systemic corticosteroids, topical cyclosporine, oral inosiplex, and topical nitrogen mustard all have been used in treating alopecia areata. Hair loss that persists for more than a year has a poor prognosis for regrowth. In trichotillomania, an occlusive dressing encourages normal hair growth, simply by identifying the cause of hair loss; clomipramine may be effective for short-term treatment. Treatment for other types of alopecia varies according to the underlying cause.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Alopecia [Hair loss]:
Patient counseling
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
Encourage gentle hair care to avoid further hair loss. Also, suggest wearing a wig, cap, or scarf, if appropriate. Remind the patient to cover his head in cold weather to prevent loss of body heat. Encourage patients who are frequently exposed to the sun to use sunblock to decrease the risk of skin cancer.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Alopecia:
Treatment
(Handbook of Diseases)
Some physicians have had limited success in treating male pattern alopecia with topical minoxidil, a peripheral vasodilator that’s more typically used as an oral antihypertensive. Also available is the deoxyribonucleic acid drug finasteride, which has been approved for use in men. Another treatment is surgical redistribution of hair follicles by autografting.
In alopecia areata, treatment may be unnecessary because spontaneous regrowth is common. Intralesional corticosteroid injections are beneficial for small patches and may produce regrowth in 4 to 6 weeks. High-potency topical steroids are less effective. Hair loss that persists for more than a year has a poor prognosis for regrowth.
Treatment of other types of alopecia varies according to the underlying cause.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Alopecia:
Patient counseling
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
Encourage gentle hair care to avoid further hair loss. Also, suggest a wig, cap, or scarf, if appropriate. Remind the patient to cover his head in cold weather to prevent loss of body heat. Encourage patients who are frequently exposed to the sun to use sunblock to decrease the risk of skin cancer.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007
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