Alopecia areata update: part II. Treatment.
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.


OBJECTIVE
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.
Alkhalifah
Abdullah
A
Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Alsantali
Adel
A
Wang
Eddy
E
McElwee
Kevin J
KJ
Shapiro
Jerry
J
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D003521:Cyclopropanes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development; D006241:Haptens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008914:Minoxidil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D051381:Rats; D012008:Recurrence; D012107:Research Design; D012944:Social Support; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D006241:Haptens; D012460:Sulfasalazine; D008914:Minoxidil; D016572:Cyclosporine; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide; C029402:diphenylcyclopropenone; D008727:Methotrexate