Scientists at Yale University have successfully tested a new drug for alopecia areata, a condition in which hair begins to fall out rapidly in patches. Research published Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Alopecia areata is more common in children, but can occur at any age. Sudden hair loss affects individual areas on the head, but gradually the foci grow. In some cases, the disease spreads to the entire head or body. People who have a close relative with alopecia areata and who take the cancer drug nivolumab have an increased risk of this type of baldness.
Medical conditions such as asthma, eczema, thyroid disease, vitiligo, and Down syndrome also increase the risk of alopecia areata.
In a new study, scientists have shown that drugs that reduce inflammation, Janus kinase inhibitors, effectively treat moderate to severe alopecia areata, allowing people to grow new hair to replace the fallen hair. Both bricitinib and ritlecitinib are already approved.
Alopecia areata is inflammatory in nature, and Janus kinase inhibitors significantly reduce inflammation. In addition to these drugs, immunotherapy can be used, which allows the immune system to stop attacking the hair follicles. Other treatment options include antirheumatic drugs and anti-inflammatory corticosteroids.
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