Alopecia areata

The natural history of alopecia areata (AA) is that of unpredictable episodes of relapsing and remitting disease. Within 2 years, 90% of the patients with limited scalp involvement will have spontaneous regrowth. These patients with limited scalp involvement are also the ones who are more likely to respond to any form of treatment. The presence of alopecia totalis/universalis for >2 years, severe nail abnormalities, atopy, and onset in childhood (<5 years) are factors thought to be associated with a poor response to treatment. In addition, a long duration and early onset of disease are indicators of poor prognosis.