[Alopecia areata and treatment].

Alopecia areata is a non scarring inflammatory hair disease, frequently recurrent. It commonly presents as round patches of hair loss which can be the first manifestation of a more severe alopecia: totalis or universalis. A CD4 lymphocytic infiltrate surrounds the hair follicle and is presumed to play a role in the hair fall. There are many treatments available which may help stimulate regrowth. The efficacy, risks, and benefits of each treatment have to be considered when choosing a treatment plan.