Abstract

“ALOPECIA AREATA: A REVIEW ON ETIOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS, AND MANAGEMENT”

Priya Thakur* and Kumud Upadhyaya

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Abstract

Alopecia areata (AA) is an immune-mediated, nonscarring, complex genetic disease. Characterized by patchy hair loss in multiple hairbearing areas, and the major affected site is the scalp. The histopathology is characterized by the infiltration of peribulbar lymphocytes around the anagen follicles and leads the shifting from the catagen phase (hair growth stage) to the telogen phase (resting stage). Etiology involves various factors like immunological, hormonal, psychological, environmental factors and genetic tendencies. Diagnosis includes scalp biopsy, trichoscopy, the pull test, the pluck test, and daily hair counts. Management of alopecia areata is quite difficult but done with biological therapy, mesotherapy, using PUVA (psoralen plus ultraviolet light A) and a certain class of drugs includes, Glucocorticoids, systemic corticosteroids, anthralin, minoxidil, topical immunomodulators, cyclosporin A, tacrolimus and sulfasalazine.

Keywords: Alopecia areata, Etiology, Diagnosis, Management.