Author : Dr Yasmeen G.H. Shaikh 1
Date of Publication :20th September 2016
Abstract: Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disease of the hair follicle; cell mediated inflammation, genetics and environment factors influence and make this condition challenging to treat. The modern treatment includes use of steroids i.e. topical, oral and intra-lesional along with immunosuppressant for the treatment of alopecia areata with effects lasting for temporary duration. Hence the study was conducted to explore the role of homoeopathy in this autoimmune condition.102 patients having alopecia areata from different cities of India were enrolled. Male and female were almost equal in number and they did not have any other autoimmune or major illness. They were treated by constitutional homeopathic treatment for 12 months and then were observed for a period of 3 years after stopping the treatment. The result shows an initial response as early as within 3 months of the treatment. 83% of the cases showed complete recovery i.e. hair growth in all the patches whereas 11% showed the partial response to the treatment. Around 6% did not respond to the treatment. Most importantly the relapse of the complaints was seen only in approximately 10% of the cases whereas, in conventional treatment relapse rate is as high as 85% .Simultaneous improvement was also noted in associated complaints. The results show the role of homoeopathic management to treat alopecia areata an autoimmune disorder successfully with lasting resulting thus reducing relapse and arrest tendency to develop alopecia areata when compared to other modern methods of treatment.
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