Corticosteroid Cream Treatment for Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder, characterized by the rapid loss of hair, in patches, most commonly found on the scalp. Though no known cures are known for the disease, there is however some treatments that can help lessen the loss of hair and encourage hair to re-grow. When first consulting a physician with the problem of alopecia areata, it is common practice for the physician to recommend the use of topical corticosteroids (sometimes called a steroid cream).
Corticosteroid creams for alopecia areata is usually available through prescription from your dermatologist or doctor. These creams come in different trade names and come with different steroid concentrations. It is best to consult your dermatologist or doctor as to the strength of the steroid concentration. Typical steroid concentrations are in the range of 0.1 – 3%.
The effect of topical corticosteroids
Topical corticosteroids have been in use since the 1970's to treat a number of inflammatory skin disorders. They are not a cure to alopecia areata, but they do help control the symptoms. The effect of corticosteroids applied topically varies greatly. For people with mild cases of alopecia areata, topical corticosteroids can be effective. For those who suffer from more severe cases of alopecia areata, topical corticosteroids may not be as effective, given a larger surface of hair loss to treat.
Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs that are most effective against conditions that involve inflammation, immunologic involvement, and hyper proliferation. In treating alopecia areata, topical corticosteroids work by being absorbed into the skin cells, and they help by inhibiting T-lymphocytes from becoming active. Alopecia areata is a T-cell response, and it is believed that by inhibiting the T-cells from activating, greater control over the disease can be exercised.
Application of treatment
The application of corticosteroid creams for alopecia areata is fairly simple. Before applying the cream, isolate and clear the area effected with the alopecia areata. Be sure to move aside any rouge strands of hair, so that only the skin is visible. Also make sure that the skin is clean before applying the cream. Use your finger to scoop up a little bit of the cream and gently massage the cream into the affected area. The cream should dissolve on its own within a few hours. Repeat this process as directed by your doctor or dermatologist.
Results of treatment
Steroid creams or gels can help stimulate the re-growth of hair. But they do not work in all cases of alopecia areata. Steroid creams are best suited for occurrences in which the bald spot is relatively small and the alopecia is in the early stages of development. Patients should not expect to see immediate results. Results that do occur do so gradually. The treatment should take 3 to 6 months. In some cases where the hair grows back, it may initially grow back in discolored form. If this happens it will most likely go back to the patient’s original color a few months following.
The success rate of the treatment varies greatly. Few studies have been carried out as to the effectiveness of topical corticosteroid treatments. And the results of the studies vary greatly. One study used fluocinodole acetonide at a concentration of 0.2%. Over a period of six months, the conditions of 28 patients were monitored. Of the 28 patients almost 61% of them showed a significant reduction in the condition of their alopecia.
Most studies indicate that topical corticosteroids are most effective if the hair loss is in patches and the diagnosis is less than a year old. Studies also suggest that the age of the patient could also play a role in the treatment process using corticosteroid creams, the younger the patient the greater the probability that the treatment would work. Typically children who have patchy hair loss, that had been diagnosed less than a year ago, will fare the best results when using corticosteroid creams.
Side effects
Like any other medication, if not used properly, it can have negative effects on the patient. Be sure to ask your doctor or dermatologist about the frequency of use of the cream. Typically the weaker the concentration of steroids in the cream, the lower the risk of side effects. With higher steroid concentrations comes greater risk of unwanted side effects. The most common side effects of topical corticosteroids usually occur locally, in and around the skin surfaces being treated. Common local side effects include stretch marks, abnormal skin pigmentation, bruising, and acne.
There are also a number of systemic side effects that can occur within the body. Systemic side effects can occur if the topical treatment is used over a large surface of skin and is high in the degree of potency. In these cases steroids can be absorbed deep into the skin and into the bloodstream and other areas of the body. If a large concentration of topical steroids enters the body it can affect the person’s adrenal glands, which produce the body's natural steroid hormones. The rarest systemic side effects include Cushing’s syndrome and growth suppression. Children are of greater risk to developing systemic side effects, than adults, if treatment is not administered properly.
To minimize the chances of experiencing topical steroid side effects, it is best to consult your physician concerning the proper use of the corticosteroid. Typically when first receiving treatment trough topical corticosteroids it is best to start off with very small doses of steroid concentration and progressively increase the concentration at your physicians discretion.
Conclusion
Topical corticosteroid treatment for alopecia areata is one of the mildest forms of steroid treatments available for alopecia areata. The results vary from person to person but the best candidates for this treatment are people who have patchy hair loss and where those hairless patches are less than a year old. Age also plays a role in the effectiveness of the treatment, with better results occurring to those patients who are in their childhood or early adolescent years. A number of side effects can occur if the treatment is not administered properly. These side effects range from acne all the way to Cushing’s syndrome.