skin disorders
Alopecia Areata
Treatment of Alopecia Areata
Corticosteroids Drugs or chemicals applied directly to the skin Sometimesmethotrexateorbaricitinib Alopecia areata can be treated with corticosteroids. For small bald patches, corticosteroids are typically injected under the skin of the bald patch, andminoxidilmay be applied directly to the bald patch as well. For larger patches, corticosteroids can be applied to the scalp or, more rarely, taken by mouth. Other treatments for alopecia areata involve applying chemicals, such asanthralin, diphenylcyclopropenone, or squaric acid dibutylester to the scalp to induce a mild irritant reaction or mild allergic reaction, which sometimes promotes hair growth. These treatments are usually given to people who have widespread hair loss and who have not been helped by other treatments. For more severe cases, people may be givenmethotrexatetaken by mouth. This drug may be combined with corticosteroids taken by mouth.Baricitinib, one of the drugs called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors (which are used in treating other autoimmune and blood disorders), is useful in treating alopecia areata. The doctor and person may choose to allow alopecia areata to resolve on its own, which sometimes happens without treatment in more mild cases. In some people, the hair may grow back in several months. In people with widespread hair loss, regrowth is less likely. 