Limited Alopecia Areata Treatment

Alopecia areata is a condition that affects the body's ability to grow and sustain hair. It's not uncommon for those with alopecia to lose all the hair on their scalp and in some cases, the entire body. Because the culprit of hair loss due to alopecia is the person's own immune system, most times treating the problem is a simple waiting game. But limited options to stimulate hair growth can be considered.

Time

• Whatever the reason, alopecia areata doesn't generally respond to treatments. But, according to the North American Hair Hair Research Society, 90 percent of those with limited hair loss end up seeing hair regrow after two years. The key lies in the immune system and its desire to attack or not attack the follicles, which was the cause of the hair loss to begin with.

Intralesional Steroids

• For cases of alopecia in which the hair loss is limited to small patches of hair on the scalp or body, an injection with a drug called Kenalog is a common treatment method. The steroid injection is given every four to six weeks around the area where hair loss has occurred.

Minoxidil

• Minoxidil is found in several brands of products, the most well-known being Rogaine. Minoxidil can stimulate the follicles and promote hair growth. There are two main problems with minoxidil: It doesn't always work and when it does, you have to keep applying the medication or risk losing the hair that has been regained.

Anthralin Treatment

• Anthralin, brand name Micanol, can be used to treat more severe cases of alopecia. Applied topically, the drug causes rashes and lesions where it comes in contact with the skin, so weigh the benefits of treatment. Keep in mind that if you are going with a contact-hypersensitivity treatment such as this, it needs to be continued for months, and sometimes years.