Emerging Unconventional Therapies for Alopecia Areata
December 2017
in “
Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings
”
TLDR New therapies for alopecia areata show potential but need more research.
The document discussed emerging unconventional therapies for alopecia areata (AA), an autoimmune disease with no approved treatments. It highlighted the potential of antihistamines, cryotherapy, and low-dose naltrexone (LDN) as alternative treatments. Antihistamines may help due to their anti-inflammatory properties, with some evidence suggesting they can enhance hair regrowth. Cryotherapy showed mixed results, with some studies indicating it could be effective but not as much as traditional treatments like intralesional steroids. LDN, though promising in other inflammatory conditions, lacked specific studies for AA. Overall, these therapies require further clinical trials to confirm their efficacy and safety.