Rare Dermatology News
Spotlight On
Alopecia totalis (AT)
Alopecia totalis is the loss of all skull and facial hair
Prevalence
30 / 100,000
Age of Onset
ICD-10
#N/A
Inheritance
Autosomal dominant
Autosomal recessive
Mitochondrial/Multigenic
X-linked dominant
X-linked recessive
5 Facts you should know
FACT
A condition characterized by the complete loss of hair on the scalp
FACT
An advanced form of alopecia areata
FACT
It is thought to be an autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles
FACT
Roughly 20% of affected people have a family member with alopecia
FACT
Among those in whom all body hair is lost, fewer than 10% recover
Interest over time
Google searches
Common signs & symptoms
Alopecia of scalp
Current treatments
Corticosteroids
Your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid to suppress your immune system. This stops the immune system from attacking healthy tissue. As a result, you may notice less hair loss. You may begin to regrow hair in affected areas.
Topical immunotherapy
This treatment boosts your immune system to help your body fight the condition. If effective, this therapy can stimulate your hair follicles, resulting in new hair growth.
Minoxidil (Rogaine)
This hair growth treatment can be used by children and adults. For best results, use this medication in conjunction with other therapies. Hair may begin to regrow within three months.
Diphencyprone (DPCP)
DPCP is a topical treatment designed to stimulate an allergic reaction, which prompts an increase in white blood cell count. This response helps stimulate hair follicles and promotes hair growth.
Ultraviolet light therapy
This treatment increases blood circulation to hair follicles and stimulates hair growth. If you’re able to regrow your hair, there’s still a risk of losing it again. Hair loss can recur once treatment ends.
Tofacitinib
This novel therapy, originally developed for rheumatoid arthritis, shows significant promise in treating the many forms of alopecia areata.
Top Clinical Trials
| Title | Description | Phases | Status | Interventions | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLACEBO-CONTROLLED SAFETY STUDY OF RITLECITINIB (PF-06651600) IN ADULTS WITH ALOPECIA AREATA | This is a global Phase 2a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety and tolerability of ritlecitinib in adults aged 18 to ≤50 years of age with ≥25% scalp hair loss due to Alopecia Areata (AA). | Phase 2 | Active, not recruiting | Drug: PF-06651600|Drug: Placebo | More Info |
| Long-Term PF-06651600 for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata | This is a global Phase 3 study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an investigational study drug (PF-06651600) in adults and adolescents (12 years and older) who have alopecia areata. | Phase 3 | Active, not recruiting | Drug: PF-06651600|Biological: Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine|Biological: Meningococcal (groups A, C, W-135 and Y [ACWY]) oligosaccharide diphtheria CRM197 conjugate vaccine | More Info |
