People with alopecia areata do not need to limit their activities or expectations. They can do whatever they want to do. At present, there is no cure for alopecia areata, although the hair may return by itself. There are various treatments, which are most effective in milder cases, but none are universally effective. These two forms of alopecia areata behave quite differently, and the choice of treatment depends on which form is present.
Treatments are most effective in milder cases.
The most common treatment is the injection of cortisone into the bare skin patches. The injections are usually given by a dermatologist who uses a tiny needle to give multiple injections into the skin in and around the bare patches. The injections are repeated once a month. Both the needle prick and the slight tingling are usually well tolerated and there is no discomfort after leaving the doctor's office. If new hair growth occurs, it is usually visible within four weeks.