How to Use Corticosteroids to Treat Hair Loss

Corticosteroids are commonly used to treat hair loss caused by alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that is not the same thing as genetic pattern baldness. Alopecia areata occurs when white blood cells attack hair follicles, resulting in hair loss on the head and other parts of the body. This disease is not life-threatening and may be temporary, or hair loss may reoccur. Alopecia areata is treated differently from the more common male pattern baldness.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Doctor's advice and prescriptions

Get a Diagnosis

1. Learn whether your hair loss symptoms might be caused by alopecia areata. Get an overview online or read about the disease in depth in the definitive book "Alopecia Areata: Understanding and Coping with Hair Loss" (see Resources below).

2. Consult a doctor about your findings. Describe your symptoms and any history of recurrence, and let her determine whether alopecia areata is the cause of your hair loss.

3. Ask if you should use corticosteroids to treat your condition. Your doctor may prescribe either injections, pills or topical medications.

Treat Hair Loss from Alopecia Areata

4. Get a monthly injection of corticosteroids from your physician. These are injected directly into the bald patch on the scalp.

5. Take corticosteroids in pill form only in doctor-prescribed dosages. These are usually used periodically in severe cases.

6. Use any prescribed topical treatments, including corticosteroid, minoxidil or anthralin creams or ointments, as directed.

Tips & Warnings

• Children, women and men can get alopecia areata. The disease often begins during childhood, so adults may find themselves getting a late diagnosis or securing healthcare for a child.
• One symptom of alopecia areata is hair loss on the head in smooth, round patches about the size of a quarter.
• If you live with recurring alopecia areata, ask your doctor for referral to a support group.
• Because the cause of alopecia areata is different from other kinds of hair loss, using the wrong treatments can be ineffectual and/or detrimental to your health. Consult your doctor for a confirmed diagnosis.
• Oral corticosteroids have a high risk of side effects. Use them only occasionally for short periods, as prescribed by a doctor.

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Resources

• Medical facts from National Institutes of Health
• Support from National Alopecia Areata Foundation
• How to treat and cope in "Alopecia Areata: Understanding and Coping with Hair Loss" by Wendy Thompson and Jerry Shapiro at Amazon