The injections aim to affect the inflammation at the hair follicle level directly in doses that are spaced out over four to eight weeks. Oral treatments also work, but hair loss often may recur when treatment ceases. With creams, patients apply the ointment for about 20 minutes each day, then wash it off.

The drugs used include:

1. Minoxidil - This was one of the first Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs for hair regrowth. It is administered in a solution of up to 5 percent minoxidil for men and a 2 percent solution for women. Minoxidil is designed to promote hair follicle growth, but the process is slow, taking up to 12 months. It must then be continued for life, or the hair will fall out again.
2. Finasteride - The drug works on an enzyme that promotes hair growth and is generally applied topically once a day. This drug works faster than minoxidil, generally producing hair within six to eight months. But once treatment is stopped, so is the hair growth, and it results in renewed loss.
3. Hormonal modulators - Spironolactone is a hormone that is effective in women with hair loss and is generally taken as an oral medication.

Other Treatments

Although alopecia areata is painless, there are psychological and social issues that arise from sudden hair loss, particularly with younger people. It is important to let teachers, counselors, coaches and business associates know that the person is perfectly healthy except for the hair loss. Alopecia areata is not contagious and has no real consequences beyond the trauma of losing hair. Health issues may arise if the hair loss extends to other body hair, such as the eyebrows, nasal hair and eyelashes. But there are sprays available that can moisten the nasal membranes, and wearing sunglasses can help with keeping dust and dirt out of the eyes.