Alopecia areata in Children: what are the options?

Alopecia areata in children

Alopecia areata affects 1.7 % of the world's population. About 1/2 of patients with alopecia areata develop their first patch of hair loss prior to age 18. Options include treatments that block or alter the inflammatory process.  

The 6 most common treatments for children include:

1. topical steroids

2. steroid injections (usually for children over 10)

3. Topical minoxidil

4. Anthralin

5. diphencyprone

6. Methotrexate

7. Prednisone 

Other less commonly used options include oral tofacitinib (age 12 and over) and topical tofacitinib,