Alopecia Areata: Diagnosis and Treatment for Family Physicians

Dr. Donovan is a Canadian dermatologist specializing in hair loss. In this video, Dr. Donovan discusses an approach that family physicians might consider in the diagnosis and treatment of alopecia areata,. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune hair loss condition affecting about 2% of the world's population.
This lecture was part of a lecture series designed for family physicians who see patients in their offices with hair loss concerns. Dr. Donovan discusses (1) what is known about alopecia areata, (2) how to properly diagnose the condition (3) the conditions that are common mimickers of alopecia areata and (4) the treatments that might be considered by the family physician as very 'first steps' for any patient who presents to the office with a diagnosis of alopecia areata.

[@OpenFilmmaker]

What a fantastic video. I'm going through AA right now and looking to educate myself. Loved the pace of the presentation and the information delivered.

[@donovanmedical9780]

thanks so much, so glad to know it was helpful for you!

[@tharpphd6759]

You are amazing! Excellent presentation/information. My 2 year old has been diagnosed with AA. It is growing back, but this video is vitally important to my understanding. THANK YOU!

[@zeni191205th]

Absolutely loved the explanation! So detailed and covered every aspect! Thank you for sharing.

[@gerahuey3706]

Very informative video-- thanks!!

[@RottweilerandLabrador]

Superb

[@quett2014]

Very informative 👏

[@irhasyed9277]

I have dells on scalp with hair loss from the infected areas due to side effect from corticosteroid injection, can this condition be reverse or treated from medicines?

[@r.1728]

Hi Dr.Donovan, this video is 3y old and just saw it. I have alopecia areata for 3 months now, my patch has started as 3 small dots on the scalp and just getting wider within forming Asymmetrical. What I have that I am not finding any info is that on the patches i have always had hairs but more rare and on the microscope there are a lot of white hairs(also long ones same length as the other healthy ones on the scalp). Do you have an opinion on this? And is it a good sign or it cannot be said?

[@vinayranaok6380]

I have treatment for this disease. But not enough money to take it forward

[@OpenFilmmaker]

okay please share :)

[@slueccroll4661]

thanks for uploading! finaly an all saying video about this matter.
i lost all my hairs all of the sudden due to this joke :)

[@lycherbabe]

If growing well from steroid injections for beard alopecia (1-3 patches). What do you mean by be available from time to time when they lose hair?
Does this mean after steroids it will fall out?

[@donovanmedical9780]

yes, sometimes. For some ongoing periodic injections are needed. Be sure to review with your physician. Alopecia areata is a lifelong condition for some patients. There can be weeks, months or years between patches of hair loss

[@lycherbabe]

@@donovanmedical9780 Thanks for the reply! The reason I ask is because I have 3 patches on the beard - 2 of which were tennis ball size. They have now grown in 80-90%. However in the remaining gaps, I noticed that I’ll see some hair in it but a few weeks later after I shave the hair it wouldn’t be there (I’m talking about 5-6 hairs) which could just be the darker vellus falling but I worry inflammation is still present in that small area.
For the rest of the hairs within the patch, they remain strong and no signs of falling.

[@redd6399]

Dr.Donovan ....Is there a treatment to grow back eyebrows?

[@donovanmedical9780]

Have a look at this post. I think you'll find it helpful for you. donovanmedical.com/qow-posts/aa-eyebrows

[@redd6399]

@@donovanmedical9780 Thanks doctor, I will look at it ASAP

[@asadniz2271]

Dr Iam using triamcinolone injections , but they are growing hairs only temporary

[@donovanmedical9780]

You'll want to go over all the options with your physician and what exactly to expect. Right now, there is no permanent cure so sometimes, treatments are needed on an ongoing basis. Some patients needs treatments monthly for many months and some need treatments for many years. For some patients, it's possible to stop treatments but for other patients treatments are needed forever and any attempt to stop the treatment leads to hair loss again. These are really important topics to review in detail with the practitioner overseeing your care. I thank you for your comment and wish you the very best in your treatment.