Treatment of Alopecia Areata Based on the Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Internal Treatment Combined with External Treatment

The article discusses the treatment of alopecia areata (AA) using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), focusing on internal and external therapies. It identifies three new etiologies and pathogenesis: pathogenic Qi invading the collaterals, stagnation of Qi and blood in the collaterals, and deficiency of the collaterals. The treatment is divided into three stages: the initial stage involves clearing heat and removing dampness; the middle stage focuses on invigorating Qi, cultivating blood, and dredging collaterals; and the terminal stage emphasizes supplementing the liver, nourishing the kidney, and enriching the collaterals. Treatments include oral and external application of Chinese medicine and TCM external therapy.