Alopecia areata is a sudden patchy hair loss, commonly known as "ghost shaving." When all hair falls out, it is called total alopecia. The cause of the disease is unknown, but it may be related to neuropsychiatric factors such as excessive stress, fright, or endocrine dysfunction. Some also believe it is associated with autoimmunity.

bubble_chart Clinical Manifestations

1. Sudden occurrence of round or irregular patches of alopecia areata on the scalp, with varying sizes and smooth, non-inflammatory local scalp;
2. Complete hair loss is referred to as alopecia totalis.

bubble_chart Diagnosis

1. Sudden occurrence of round or irregular patches of alopecia areata on the scalp, with varying sizes and smooth, non-inflammatory skin;
2. Complete hair loss is referred to as alopecia totalis;
3. Most commonly occurs on the scalp but can also affect eyebrows, armpit hair, and pubic hair;
4. The alopecia areata patches are asymptomatic;
5. Chronic course with a tendency for spontaneous recovery;
6. Can occur at any age but is more common in young and middle-aged adults.

bubble_chart Treatment Measures

Principles of Treatment

1. Systemic Treatment:
   1. If significant psychological factors are present, sedatives may be administered.
   2. Oral administration of cystine, vitamin B complex, and vitamin E.
   3. For patients with alopecia totalis or universalis, prednisone may be used.
2. Local Treatment: The principle is to stimulate skin hyperemia, improve local blood circulation, and promote hair growth.
3. Physical Therapies:
   1. Photochemotherapy;
   2. Local scalp tuina combined with plum-blossom needle tapping, performed every other day;
   3. Fresh ginger juice applied topically;
   4. Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy.

Long-term and high-dose use of corticosteroids should be avoided to prevent adverse side effects. For other details, refer to the treatment principles.

bubble_chart Cure Criteria

1. Cure: Complete hair regrowth, returning to normal;
2. Improvement: Partial hair regrowth with remaining areas of hair loss, hair pull test (-);
3. No improvement: No change in hair loss, hair pull test (+).