Alopecia areata is one of the most common skin conditions that cause hair loss, and because having strong and healthy hair is one of the most important things for women and men alike, alopecia sufferers search for the best ways to treat it, so we have prepared for you the following article to learn about different treatment methods for alopecia, and the duration of treatment , and some important tips for alopecia patients, in addition to answering the most important question related to alopecia treatment in the following paragraphs, so be sure to follow up.

Alopecia treatment methods

Alopecia treatment depends on several factors, most notably:

• Age.
• The amount of hair lost.
• location of hair loss.

It should be noted that there is no one specific treatment that fits all, as alopecia treatment requires trying several different methods to reach the best suitable method. It includes options Alopecia treatment from the pharmacy Which are divided according to the severity of the condition and the extent of its spread as follows:

Treatment in case of alopecia spots

If several patches known to be associated with alopecia areata are present, the doctor may prescribe the following:

• Corticosteroid injections: Injections that help regrow hair, usually given every 4 to 8 weeks.
• Minoxidil: To maintain hair that has grown back, after using other medications, it is usually used 2 to 3 times a day.
• Topical corticosteroid: This is to be applied to the spots, once or twice a day, as directed by the doctor.
• Anthralin: It is placed on the bald spots, then left on the skin for the period specified by the doctor, and washed.

Treatment in case of spread of alopecia

The spread of alopecia means losing a lot of hair, and in the event of exposure to this condition, the doctor may recommend the following:

• Topical immunotherapy: This treatment alters the immune system so that it stops attacking the hair follicles. It involves applying a chemical to the bald spots every week for 48 hours. This treatment is applied on a weekly basis until the hair grows again, usually within 6 months.
• Methotrexate: This drug is used as an option for treatment, in the event that other options have not worked. If effective, hair usually grows back within 3 months, and full hair growth may take 6 to 12 months.
• A type of corticosteroid: Your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid medication such as prednisolone along with methotrexate for greater effectiveness.
• JAK inhibitors: These are newly discovered and approved medications for the treatment of hair loss associated with alopecia areata. These include the drug tofacitinib, ruxolitinib, and baricitinib.

Sometimes the doctor may suggest using wigs or hair accessories, or shaving hair and beards, as this can help patients who have lost a large part of their hair or all of their hair as a result of alopecia areata, in enhancing self-confidence during the alopecia treatment journey.

The types of treatment can be divided according to the drug form that the doctor will prescribe to you as follows:

Ointments for the treatment of alopecia

Topical ointments or medications that can be rubbed into the scalp to stimulate the growth of hair lost due to alopecia areata include:

• Topical medications containing methotrexate, which are applied twice daily to the scalp, eyebrows, and chin.
• Topical medications containing anthralin, a medication that helps irritate and stimulate the skin, which helps in hair regrowth.
• Corticosteroid creams, ointments, or corticosteroid lotions, which work to reduce inflammation of the hair follicles.

Alopecia needle

Among the methods of treating alopecia are the use of steroid injections or needles, and it is considered a common option for people who suffer from mild alopecia, as it helps in regrowth of hair in bald spots again, as steroids are injected into these spots every month or two, but it must be noted that These injections do not prevent any new hair loss from occurring.

Alopecia medication

Medications for oral alopecia that may sometimes be prescribed include:

• Cortisone pills: sometimes they are prescribed in the case of diffuse alopecia, but they should not be used unless after discussing the side effects with the doctor first.
• Oral immunosuppressants: Another option that works by suppressing inflammatory immune system responses is methotrexate and cyclosporine.

Alopecia treatment in children (10 years or younger)

Treatment options for children with alopecia areata, age 10 or younger, include:

• A powerful corticosteroid to stimulate hair regrowth, applied once or twice a day.
• Minoxidil: Helps maintain hair growth after stopping corticosteroid use.

Tips for people with alopecia

After getting acquainted with the most prominent methods of treating alopecia, here are some important tips that patients with alopecia should know well to deal and adapt to the disease:

• Make sure to wear sunscreen when going out in the sun.
• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun.
• Use hats, wigs, and scarves for sun protection.
• Use ointment inside the nose to keep the membranes moist, to prevent and protect against germs.

Alopecia treatment duration

As we mentioned earlier, there are some types of medications that are used on a weekly basis, but most types of treatments continue for at least three months before any hair is expected to reappear, and in a number of cases people may notice almost complete hair return within a year, but different methods Treatment varies from person to person, so the duration of treatment may vary from person to person, and there is no cure for alopecia areata in three days as some claim, so the matter must be discussed in detail with the doctor.

Can alopecia be cured permanently?

There is currently no definitive treatment for alopecia, and alopecia cannot be completely cured, but most of the currently available treatments aim to promote hair growth again or reduce hair loss, but in a number of cases hair may be lost again, even after treatment.