Treatment for alopecia

G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2014 Feb;149(1):103-6.

Abstract

Satisfactory, evidence-based medicine regimen for treating alopecia are available in literature only regarding alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia. About all the other kinds of alopecia, recommendations for therapy are still based upon the literature review, expert opinion, personal experience, expected adverse effects, and some pragmatic considerations such as the cost and the patient's compliance. Cicatricial alopecia is one of the most difficult challenges for dermatologists, because it is uncommon, its etiopathogenesis is not completely understood and there is no best therapy approach. Moreover, in Italy, most of the drugs mentioned below are not always available. Finally, therapies for hair disorders are long treatment and not always lead to a good improvement.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Alopecia / complications
  • Alopecia / drug therapy
  • Alopecia / surgery
  • Alopecia / therapy*
  • Androgen Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cicatrix / etiology
  • Cicatrix / surgery
  • Dermatologic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Disease Progression
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Hair Follicle / transplantation
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Minoxidil / therapeutic use
  • Phytotherapy

Substances

  • 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Androgen Antagonists
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Dermatologic Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Minoxidil