Alopecia areata: Review of epidemiology, clinical features, pathogenesis, and new treatment options

Evan Darwin, Penelope A Hirt, Raymond Fertig, Brett Doliner, Gina Delcanto, Joaquin J JimenezInternational Journal of Trichology 2018 10(2):51-60Alopecia areata (AA) is a complex autoimmune condition that causes nonscarring hair loss. It typically presents with sharply demarcated round patches of hair loss and may present at any age. In this article, we review the epidemiology, clinical features, pathogenesis, and new treatment options of AA, with a focus on the immunologic mechanism underlying the treatment. While traditional treatment options such as corticosteroids are moderately effective, a better understanding of the disease pathogenesis may lead to the development of new treatments that are more directed and effective against AA. Sources were gathered from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane database using the keywords: alopecia, alopecia areata, hair loss, trichoscopy, treatments, pathogenesis, and epidemiology.

Source: International Journal of Trichology - April 23, 2018 Category: Dermatology Authors: Evan Darwin Penelope A Hirt Raymond Fertig Brett Doliner Gina Delcanto Joaquin J Jimenez Source Type: research