Alopecia Areata Treatment

So far, there is no standard therapy for treatment which could show a benefit for all forms of AA in major scientific research for alopecia areata (AA). It is recommended on the basis of past experience in dealing with the AA in particular the following general approach: at low expression and for a short duration to treat with cortisone-containing solutions and/or internally with zinc compounds. A local stimulation therapy with Dithranol can be using when it became the acute phase. Dithranol is a substance commonly used in the treatment of psoriasis. Often it is sufficient to be seen and to support the body's healing process this.

Because at 60 to 80% of patients with low pronounced alopecia areata within a few months a recovery of bald areas can be expected, a therapy should be selected carefully considerations for benefit risk. The intake of zinc and the application of cortisone preparations are very few side effects with short-term application under medical supervision. A cortisone treatment in pill form as a pulse - or long term therapy although relatively often leads to hair growth, hair fall out but mostly after discontinuation of the treatment. Although short-term improvements can be achieved through tablets with suppressive properties on the immune system (ciclosporin, methotrexate), but pronounced adverse effects of the drugs are a usage in the way.

The most effective treatment is currently the external immunotherapy with Diphenylcyclopropenon (DCP), which is used in particular for greater expansion of the AA (from 20 to 30%) mainly in hair clinics (University) Skin clinics and some skin doctor's Office. The treatment with DCP is a separate informational text available.

A hair transplant at the AA makes no sense, because the inflammation process even before the transplanted hair would not stop and they would once again fall. Numerous rumors about effective "home remedies" in the treatment of the AA are circulating. This stems from the fact that the low adaptive alopecia areata by itself heals in many cases (spontaneous cure). In these cases the currently applied "home remedy" as falsely is then often seen effectively.

Minoxidil solution for the treatment of influencing hair loss has shown good effects in treating the AA in some smaller studies in part, overall, a final assessment of this therapy is not possible however.

Phototherapy treatment with UV rays is already used in various forms at the AA. A study on a small patient population with UV light in February. Lately, there are mainly reports of a favorable influence of 308 nm excimer laser (UVB wavelength range). A comprehensive assessment of this treatment option is however not been possible due to the low number of patients so that this is not generally recommended.

In the area of complementary therapies, especially the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers an interesting approach. TCM brings together mainly the areas of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. We have reports of good individual experiences here for example by Prof. Emil Iliev from the University of Sofia in Bulgaria, as well as Dr. Johannes greten from the German society for TCM (DGTCM). Also for the TCM, there is however no scientific studies demonstrating efficacy at the AA.

The type of hairstyle does not affect the healing process. Perm, dyes and tints, or the frequency of shampooing reinforces an alopecia areata. At low finding therefore a clever haircut, might be useful, using hair clips, hair sprays, or volume-creating hair treatments. From a medical perspective, nothing is to argue that because of your own hair is not affected. How much a share of the cost of a health insurance company is taken over, is to clarify in each case with the Fund. The attending physician will issue the required medical certificate.

Preliminary scientific studies are performed for the treatment of circular hair loss by means of gene therapy. The causes of disease are today not fully known. It is also unclear whether and to what extent inheritance factors play a role in the development of the disease. To explore the question of inheritance and thus the chances of a gene therapy treatment involved the dermatological clinic of the University under the direction of Prof. Dr. Rolf Hoffmann, on a large Europe-wide study of the genetics of alopecia areata.