Hello. For a small patch of alopecia Areata how many kenalog sessions are usually needed for recovery? Many thanks
Answer: Steroid injections for small patches of AA For most small, coin-shaped, patches of alopecia areata, 1-2 visits to the doctor are sufficient to trigger growth. Not all patients experience growth but 90 % or more do. Patients with many patches or patients with larger amounts of hair loss may not benefit from steroid injections. Treatment at the right concentration and the right amount is required. For example, 0.1 ml of 1 mg per mL injected into a coin-shaped patch is unlikely to help although 0.4 or 0.5 mL of 2.5 mg per mL is quite likely to help a small patch of this size. Some doctors use 5 mg per mL and some use 10 mg / mL although the chances of atrophy increase significantly as one increases the dose. Although hair may grow back in the patch, there is a reasonable possibility that another patch may form in that same area or at a completely different area at some point in the person’s life. Treatment of a patch does not influence whether another patch will or will not form and a high proportion of patients do experience another episode at some point in their lives. In summary, hair regrowth should be seen within 4 weeks for most patients with one or two small patches of alopecia areata. It hair does not regrow, one needs to seriously reconsider if they have the right diagnosis. Tinea capitis, lichen planopilaris, pseudopelade, dissecting cellulitis, syphilis and infiltrative diseases can rarely mimic alopecia areata. A biopsy may sometimes be needed if a small patch shows absolutely no improvement.
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Answer: Steroid injections for small patches of AA For most small, coin-shaped, patches of alopecia areata, 1-2 visits to the doctor are sufficient to trigger growth. Not all patients experience growth but 90 % or more do. Patients with many patches or patients with larger amounts of hair loss may not benefit from steroid injections. Treatment at the right concentration and the right amount is required. For example, 0.1 ml of 1 mg per mL injected into a coin-shaped patch is unlikely to help although 0.4 or 0.5 mL of 2.5 mg per mL is quite likely to help a small patch of this size. Some doctors use 5 mg per mL and some use 10 mg / mL although the chances of atrophy increase significantly as one increases the dose. Although hair may grow back in the patch, there is a reasonable possibility that another patch may form in that same area or at a completely different area at some point in the person’s life. Treatment of a patch does not influence whether another patch will or will not form and a high proportion of patients do experience another episode at some point in their lives. In summary, hair regrowth should be seen within 4 weeks for most patients with one or two small patches of alopecia areata. It hair does not regrow, one needs to seriously reconsider if they have the right diagnosis. Tinea capitis, lichen planopilaris, pseudopelade, dissecting cellulitis, syphilis and infiltrative diseases can rarely mimic alopecia areata. A biopsy may sometimes be needed if a small patch shows absolutely no improvement.
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