title: Alopecia areata update.
abstract: Alopecia areata (AA) is a nonscarring hair loss condition. Among the many factors under investigation in the pathogenesis of AA, the main areas of concentration have been genetic constitution as well as nonspecific immune and organ-specific autoimmune reactions. Treatment with intralesional corticosteroid injections for localized patchy AA and topical immunotherapy for extensive AA have proven successful in the majority of patients, although all treatments are palliative and do not change the prognosis of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, University of British Columbia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Madani
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shapiro
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008297:Male; D011701:PUVA Therapy; D013256:Steroids
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D013256:Steroids; D016572:Cyclosporine