Systemic treatment for alopecia areata.

Of the world population, 1.7% is suffering from alopecia areata at some point in their lives. The exact etiology of this disease is still unknown, and the course of the disease is unpredictable. Effective treatments, especially for severe multifocal alopecia areata, alopecia areata totalis, and alopecia areata universalis, are lacking. The present article will discuss side effects and relapse rates of different systemic agents for treatment of severe and rapid progressive alopecia areata.