Treatments for Alopecia Areata
Alopecia Areata: Is the Diagnosis Correct?
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Differential diagnosis list for Alopecia Areata may include:
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Hospital statistics for Alopecia Areata:
These medical statistics relate to hospitals, hospitalization and Alopecia Areata:
- 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)
- more hospital information...»
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Book Excerpts: Treatment of Alopecia Areata
Treatments of Alopecia Areata: Online Medical Books
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Alopecia:
Treatment
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
-
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
Vitiligo:
Treatment
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Repigmentation therapy combines systemic or topical psoralen compounds (trimethylpsoralen or 8-methoxypsoralen) with exposure to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet light, wavelength A (UVA). New pigment rises from hair follicles and appears on the skin as small freckles, which gradually enlarge and coalesce. Body parts containing few hair follicles (such as the fingertips) may resist this therapy.
Because psoralens and UVA affect the entire skin surface, systemic therapy enhances the contrast between normal skin, which turns darker than usual, and white, vitiliginous skin. Use of sunscreen on normal skin may minimize contrast while preventing sunburn.
Topical class I glucosteroid ointments may be used for single or small macules. Monitor patients on this therapy for skin atrophy or telangiectasia development.
Depigmentation therapy is suggested for patients with vitiligo affecting more than 50% of the body surface. A cream containing 20% monobenzone permanently destroys pigment cells in unaffected areas of the skin and produces a uniform skin tone. This medication is applied initially to a small area of normal skin once daily to test for unfavorable reactions such as contact dermatitis. In the absence of adverse effects, the patient begins applying the cream twice daily to those areas he wishes to depigment first. Eventually, the entire skin may be depigmented to achieve a uniform color. Note: Depigmentation is permanent and results in extreme photosensitivity. Patients may wish to take daily B-carotene to impart an off-white color to the chalk-white skin.
Commercial cosmetics may also help de-emphasize vitiliginous skin. Some patients prefer dyes because these remain on the skin for several days, although the results aren’t always satisfactory. Although often impractical, complete avoidance of exposure to sunlight through the use of screening agents and protective clothing may minimize vitiliginous lesions in whites.
» 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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