Strategies for Managing Alopecia Areata
Susan Taylor, MD, FAAD, discusses a review of the management of alopecia areata through patient cases. She examines real-world scenarios and addresses some of the challenges that are commonly encountered when treating severe alopecia areata. Throughout the discussion, she shares some of her own practice-based insights and strategies for optimizing patient care in alopecia areata.
EP. 1: Alopecia Areata Clinical Presentation and Challenges in Treatment
March 4th 2025An expert discusses how alopecia areata affects approximately 2% of the population globally, with onset typically in childhood or early adulthood. Patients often present with autoimmune comorbidities (thyroid disorders, vitiligo, atopic dermatitis) and psychological distress. Diagnostic challenges include differentiating from other hair loss conditions and predicting disease course. Treatment difficulties involve unpredictable responses, lack of standardized protocols, and addressing both physical symptoms and psychological impact.
EP. 2: Defining Alopecia Areata Severity and Navigating Treatment Options
March 4th 2025An expert discusses how treatment for alopecia areata begins with topical/intralesional therapies for limited disease and progresses to systemic options for extensive involvement or treatment resistance. Treatment decisions are guided by disease severity, patient age, comorbidities, and treatment goals. FDA-approved systemic agents include ritlecitinib (JAK3/TEC inhibitor) and baricitinib (JAK1/2 inhibitor), which block inflammatory pathways to promote hair regrowth with favorable efficacy, though they require monitoring for potential adverse effects.
EP. 4: Discussing Efficacy and Safety of JAK Inhibitors With Patients and Caregivers
March 11th 2025An expert discusses how alopecia areata significantly affects adolescent mental health. Treatment with ritlecitinib requires proper severity assessment via Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score, clear communication of realistic timelines and goals, careful monitoring, and discussion of potential adverse effects. Long-term adherence is crucial for maintaining results.
EP. 5: Options for Eyebrow and Eyelash Regrowth in a 32-Year-Old Female With Alopecia Areata
March 18th 2025An expert discusses a 32-year-old woman with alopecia areata affecting eyebrows/eyelashes. Treatment options include topical/intralesional steroids, minoxidil, prostaglandin analogues, JAK inhibitors, and cosmetic approaches.
EP. 6: Laboratory Monitoring for JAK Inhibitors and Key Takeaways
March 18th 2025An expert discusses a comprehensive review of treatment options for a 32-year-old woman with alopecia areata, covering baricitinib dosing (4 mg initially), monitoring requirements vs ritlecitinib, expected outcomes, and considerations for topical immunotherapy vs JAK inhibitors.
