What should I do about alopecia areata?

Written by Liu Jing
Dermatology
Updated on April 22, 2025
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Alopecia areata, commonly known as "ghost shaving," has an unknown cause and its onset mechanism is related to the immune system. Factors such as fatigue, anxiety, nervousness, and lack of sleep can all trigger this condition, and it requires supportive symptomatic treatment such as immune modulation. Oral administration of L-cysteine tablets, vitamin B6 tablets, and compound glycyrrhizin tablets, along with topical application of 5% minoxidil spray in the affected area, as well as chondroitin sulfate polysulfate cream or pimecrolimus cream, combined with physical therapy measures like helium-neon laser irradiation, are recommended. It is also important to rest, consume dark-colored foods including black sesame, black fungus, and black rice, and maintain a good emotional state. (Note: The use of medications should be under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Does alopecia areata spread?

Alopecia areata manifests as patchy hair loss on the scalp. In its early stages, or when symptoms are mild, many people can fully recover by adjusting their diet or lifestyle habits, without experiencing any spread of the condition. However, if left to develop over a long period, the symptoms might worsen. It is necessary to avoid spicy, highly flavorful, or irritating foods, and to maintain a healthy lifestyle free of anxiety, stress, sleep deprivation, and bad moods. Upon noticing symptoms, it is advisable to consult the dermatology department of a reputable hospital. There, doctors can make a comprehensive diagnosis and create a treatment plan. With long-term adherence, the condition is entirely treatable.

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Written by Liu Jing
Dermatology
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What should I do if a patch of alopecia areata doesn't grow back?

Alopecia areata, commonly known as "ghost shaving," is a type of immune-related skin disease. It is important to rest, provide immune modulation and other symptomatic treatments, eat more black-colored foods, and maintain a good mood. Take oral thymopeptide enteric capsules, cysteine tablets, vitamin B6 tablets, folic acid tablets, and other medications. For the bald areas, apply a 5% concentration of minoxidil spray and heparin polysulfate mucopolysaccharide cream. The purpose is to improve scalp microcirculation to stimulate hair follicles and promote hair regeneration. Simultaneously, supplementary physical therapy measures can be used, including traditional Chinese medicine techniques such as plum-blossom needle tapping and local treatment with 308 nm excimer laser radiation, three times a week, for a total of ten sessions per treatment course.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Do alopecia areata follicles necrotize?

After the appearance of bald patches, they are mostly benign and there won't be any necrosis of the hair follicles. Hair follicle necrosis usually occurs in several situations, such as local trauma or previous folliculitis, and in cases of alopecia areata that have not been treated for a long time, where the cause of the disease has not been corrected, leading to follicle atrophy and eventually necrosis. Once hair follicle necrosis occurs, treatment becomes quite complicated, and some people may never fully recover. Once alopecia areata occurs, it is crucial to seek medical care from reputable medical institutions, undergo proper testing and treatment, avoid spicy and irritating foods, refrain from eating overly flavorful foods, avoid staying up late, and minimize anxiety and stress. Strengthening exercises and enhancing immunity, if consistently maintained, can still lead to recovery.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Which department should I go to for alopecia areata?

Alopecia areata is characterized by patchy hair loss on the scalp. The causes of this condition are complex, generally associated with dietary and lifestyle habits, or reduced immunity, and in some cases, it may also involve genetic predisposition. Once diagnosed, treatment should be sought at a dermatology department of a formal medical institution. An initial examination of the hair follicles in the affected area can reveal whether there is follicle atrophy or necrosis. Treatment often involves a combination of oral and topical medications, and localized medication occlusion therapy can also be employed. The more treatment methods utilized, the higher the likelihood of cure. It is advisable to avoid spicy and irritating foods, refrain from staying up late, and avoid stress and anxiety. Strengthening exercise and enhancing immunity can also improve the cure rate.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Does alopecia areata have anything to do with immunity?

There are many causes of alopecia areata. In general, alopecia areata in children is mostly related to their dietary habits, such as being picky eaters, having unbalanced nutrition, or being inherently weak in constitution. In adolescents or during puberty, it is mostly related to personal lifestyle habits, such as anxiety, tension, poor mood, or long-term consumption of greasy, spicy, and sweet foods. In the elderly, some cases may be related to other internal diseases, such as those of the liver or kidneys, and some cases may appear in patients with anemia. Overall, it is somewhat related to immunity, but the specific causes vary from person to person.