Treatment is given every 4 weeks, for up to 6 months. Some people only need one or two treatments, while others need the full 6 treatments. The average number of treatments is 3 to 4.
Patchy alopecia areata
Injections of corticosteroids: To help your hair regrow, your dermatologist will inject this medication into the bald areas. These injections are usually given every 4 to 8 weeks as needed, so you will need to return to your dermatologist's office for treatment.
Steroid injections can be repeated in 4-6 weeks. For localized patches of alopecia, regrowth is expected to start in 1 month in 80 % to 90 % of patients.
The procedure entails cortisone injections into the scalp approximately 1 cm apart. The number of injections depends on the size of the area being treated and can range from 2 -3 injections in smaller areas to 40 – 50 injections in larger areas.
PRP costs about $500 to $2,500 per injection. Treatment usually consists of three or four injections 4 to 6 weeks apart, with maintenance injections every 4 to 6 months.
Steroid injections have been used for alopecia areata since 1958. Studies from the 1970's showed that hair regrowth was found in 71% of people with Alopecia Areata, when treated every 2 weeks for 3 times. In another study, 63% of those receiving monthly steroid injections found regrowth at 4 months.
Steroid injections may promote hair growth for those with alopecia areata. These injections may be covered by insurance as part of treatment for this autoimmune disease.
INTRALESIONAL CORTICOSTEROID INJECTIONS
This method of treatment — the most common form of treatment for alopecia areata — uses corticosteroids that are injected into bare patches of skin with a tiny needle. These injections are repeated about every four to six weeks and are usually given by a dermatologist.
Topical and injected corticosteroids have side effects, including scalp irritation that may lead to a rash, thinning skin on the scalp, and a red or puffy face. Corticosteroid medication taken by mouth may make the body's immune system less capable of fighting a bacterial or viral infection.
Baricitinib oral tablets — developed by Eli Lilly and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this year — is the first systemic treatment for alopecia areata.
Answer: Steroid injections
If alopecia areata is active in can sometimes worsen despite any treatment.
Possible side effects: The injection may cause temporary skin thinning and the prednisone may cause weight gain, metabolic abnormalities, acne, and menstrual problems. The positive effects are only temporary.
In a specialized hair loss clinic, the authors successfully treated patients with extensive alopecia areata (over 50% but under 99%) with intralesional corticosteroid injections.
There is currently no cure for alopecia areata, although there are some forms of treatment that can be suggested by doctors to help hair re-grow more quickly. The most common form of alopecia areata treatment is the use of corticosteroids, powerful anti-inflammatory drugs that can suppress the immune system.
Causes of Alopecia Areata
In alopecia areata, the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, causing inflammation. Researchers do not fully understand what causes the immune attack on hair follicles, but they believe that both genetic and environmental (non-genetic) factors play a role.
Currently, there is no cure for alopecia areata. But the good news is that even when your disease is “active,” your hair follicles remain alive. This means that your hair can grow back again — even after a long period of time and even if you have more than 50% hair loss.
Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is associated with significant cardiovascular risk factors that also have a negative impact on brain aging.
PRP injections may be delivered in stages (at intervals of three to nine months) to stimulate thorough hair re-growth. The patient can notice visible improvement in about two to six months.
Ways to Stop Alopecia Areata from Spreading or Worsening
Avoiding unnecessary hair or scalp trauma, reducing stress and analyzing your diet are all worthwhile endeavors when attempting to prevent alopecia areata from spreading.
Is there a permanent cure for alopecia? Not currently. However, there are several treatment options that might slow down hair loss or even help your hair grow back faster.
Alopecia areata (AA) occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicle. Studies have shown a relationship between AA and low vitamin D levels. Vitamin D should be supplemented if levels are low.
Triamcinolone (Kenalog) is a steroid solution that has been used as a treatment for alopecia areata for over 50 years. It is administered via injection into the scalp and appears to have some efficacy for patients with mild to moderate alopecia areata.
A 20 percent rating is warranted if the disorder affects more than 40 percent of the scalp. Under Diagnostic Code 7831, for alopecia areata, a noncompensable rating is assigned with loss of hair limited to the scalp and face. A 10 percent rating is warranted with loss of all body hair.
Alopecia areata is not medically disabling; persons with alopecia areata are usually in excellent health. But emotionally, this disease can be challenging, especially for those with extensive hair loss.
The condition is not covered by any legislation designed to combat disability discrimination such as the Americans with Disabilities Act in the U.S. or the Equality Act in the U.K.