Alopecia areata update:

Various therapeutic agents have been described for the treatment of alopecia areata (AA), but none are curative or preventive. The aim of AA treatment is to suppress the activity of the disease. The high rate of spontaneous remission and the paucity of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies make the evidence-based assessment of these therapies difficult. The second part of this two-part series on AA discusses treatment options in detail and suggests treatment plans according to specific disease presentation. It also reviews recently reported experimental treatment options and potential directions for future disease management.

Learning objectives

After completing this learning activity, participants should be able to compare the efficacy and safety of various treatment options, formulate a treatment plan tailored to individual patients, and recognize recently described treatments and potential therapeutic approaches.

Key words: biologics, corticosteroids, immunotherapy, intralesional, minoxidil, phototherapy

Abbreviations used: AA, alopecia areata, AT, alopecia totalis, AU, alopecia universalis, DNCB, dinitrochlorobenzene, DPCP, diphenylcyclopropenone, IFN-γ, interferon gamma, IL, interleukin, ILCS, intralesional corticosteroids, NAAF, National Alopecia Areata Foundation, PUVA, psoralen plus ultraviolet A light phototherapy, SADBE, squaric acid dibutylester, SALT, Severity of Alopecia Tool, SP, substance P, SSRI, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, TNF, tumor necrosis factor