Skin
Medicines for Alopecia areata
A condition in which the immune system causes sudden, smooth, round patches of hair loss — usually on the scalp or beard — that often regrow on their own, with treatments aimed at encouraging quicker regrowth in more troublesome cases.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata is a condition in which hair falls out in small, smooth, round or oval patches, usually on the scalp but sometimes in the beard, eyebrows or elsewhere on the body. It happens because the immune system, which normally defends the body, mistakenly attacks the hair follicles and switches off hair growth in those areas — making it an autoimmune condition.
- How it is treated: There is no single cure for alopecia areata, and because hair often regrows on its own, one reasonable option — particularly for limited, recent patches — is simply to wait and see while keeping things under review.
- Self-care: Alopecia areata is not caused by diet or by anything you have done, so there is no special regime that will make it regrow, but a few things can help you cope.
- When to seek help: See a GP if you notice patchy hair loss, so the cause can be confirmed and other reasons for hair loss can be ruled out, and so you can discuss whether treatment might help.
What it is
Alopecia areata is a condition in which hair falls out in small, smooth, round or oval patches, usually on the scalp but sometimes in the beard, eyebrows or elsewhere on the body. It happens because the immune system, which normally defends the body, mistakenly attacks the hair follicles and switches off hair growth in those areas — making it an autoimmune condition. The bald patches are typically smooth rather than scaly or sore, and the skin underneath looks normal. Sometimes the nails are affected too, developing tiny pits or ridges. The course is unpredictable: in many people the hair regrows by itself over several months, sometimes coming back fine and pale at first before returning to normal, while in others patches persist, recur, or occasionally spread to involve much more of the scalp or, rarely, all body hair. It can affect anyone, including children, and is not caused by stress alone, although the unpredictability and the visible effect on appearance can be genuinely distressing. It is also different from the gradual, patterned thinning of male or female pattern hair loss.
How it is treated
There is no single cure for alopecia areata, and because hair often regrows on its own, one reasonable option — particularly for limited, recent patches — is simply to wait and see while keeping things under review. When treatment is wanted to encourage quicker regrowth, several options exist, and the choice depends on how much hair is affected, the person's age and how much the condition is bothering them. Topical corticosteroids, applied to the bald patches, are commonly used to dampen the immune attack on the follicles, and corticosteroids injected directly into the patches (intralesional treatment) are another well-established option for limited areas. More extensive or stubborn cases may be managed by a dermatologist, who can consider further specialist treatments. Alongside any medical treatment, support for the emotional impact matters: practical measures such as wigs, hairpieces, careful styling, or makeup for eyebrows can help, and these may be available with specialist input. It is also important to distinguish alopecia areata from other causes of hair loss, as the approach differs.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Alopecia areata
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Symptom checker
Symptoms that can point to Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata can be one cause of these symptoms. Each guide explains the other possible causes and the red-flag warning signs that mean you should get urgent help:
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Alopecia areata is not caused by diet or by anything you have done, so there is no special regime that will make it regrow, but a few things can help you cope. Be gentle with the remaining hair and scalp, avoiding harsh treatments, tight styles or anything that tugs at the hair. Protect any exposed bald skin from the sun with a hat or sunscreen, as it can burn easily. Because the visible effect on appearance can be hard to live with, practical cover-ups — wigs, hairpieces, scarves, hats, or makeup to fill in eyebrows — can make a real difference to confidence, and support is available to access these. The emotional impact is real and valid: talking to your GP, a support organisation or others with the condition can help, and looking after your general wellbeing and stress is worthwhile in its own right even though stress alone does not cause it.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
See a GP if you notice patchy hair loss, so the cause can be confirmed and other reasons for hair loss can be ruled out, and so you can discuss whether treatment might help. It is worth seeking advice sooner if patches are spreading quickly, if much of the scalp is affected, or if the eyebrows, eyelashes or other areas are involved, as more extensive cases may benefit from specialist (dermatology) assessment. Do not hesitate to ask for help with the emotional side too: the impact on appearance and confidence is real, and your GP can point you towards support, counselling or organisations as well as practical options such as wigs and hairpieces.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Alopecia areata: frequently asked questions
What medicines are used for alopecia areata?
Because hair often regrows on its own, one option — especially for limited, recent patches — is simply to wait and review. When treatment is wanted to encourage quicker regrowth, topical corticosteroids applied to the bald patches are commonly used to dampen the immune attack on the follicles, and corticosteroids injected directly into the patches (intralesional treatment) are another well-established option for limited areas. More extensive or stubborn cases may be managed by a dermatologist, who can consider further specialist treatments. The right choice depends on how much hair is affected, the person's age, and how much it is bothering them, so it is decided together with a clinician.
Will my hair grow back?
Often, yes. In many people with alopecia areata the hair regrows by itself over several months, sometimes coming back fine and pale at first before returning to its normal colour and thickness. However, the course is unpredictable: patches can persist, come and go, or occasionally spread to involve more of the scalp or other areas. Because regrowth is common, watchful waiting is a reasonable option for limited patches, while treatment may be chosen to encourage quicker regrowth. A GP or dermatologist can help you understand what to expect in your particular case.
Is alopecia areata caused by stress?
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles — it is not caused by stress alone. While stressful events are sometimes felt to coincide with a flare, stress is not the underlying cause, and you have not brought it on yourself. That said, the unpredictable hair loss can itself be very distressing, and looking after your emotional wellbeing is worthwhile. If the condition is affecting your mood or confidence, your GP can offer support and point you towards counselling or patient organisations.
How is it different from male or female pattern baldness?
Alopecia areata causes sudden, smooth, well-defined round or oval bald patches, often on the scalp or beard, with normal-looking skin underneath, and it can affect children as well as adults. Male and female pattern hair loss is different: it is a gradual, patterned thinning — typically a receding hairline and crown in men, or general thinning over the top of the scalp in women — driven by genetics and hormones rather than an autoimmune attack. Because the cause and the approach differ, it is important to have hair loss assessed so the right diagnosis is made and suitable advice or treatment offered.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CKS: Alopecia areata.
- British Association of Dermatologists: Alopecia areata.
Related conditions
Browse by body system
Building a patient-information or formulary resource?
We create evidence-led, dose-free clinical references and decision aids for teams.