Alopecia areata: what to expect from current treatments.

Internal Medicine Center, Akron City Hospital, OH 44304, USA.

Alopecia areata is relatively benign and often resolves on its own, although its psychosocial impact on children and young adults can be severe. Some form of treatment is usually required. Because current treatments may not show results for 3 to 6 months, reassuring the patient and the parents and informing them about the results that can be expected are an essential part of management. The choice of treatment depends on the patient's age and the extent of alopecia activity.

PMID: 16193824 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]