Abstract:No dermatologic disorder poses so little threat to health and physical cotnfort and yet is so emotionally devastating as alopecia areata. Fortunately, the rate of spontaneous remission is high; nevertheless, management is problematic because of the considerable cosmetic disability imposed by extensive and visible hair loss, and the unpredictability of response to accepted therapeutic agents. Indeed, opinions vary as to whether or not any of the currently employed therapeutic modalities is effective, and there is remarkable diversity in approach to the patient with this problem.This symposium includes two lengthier articles on alopecia areata as well as several shorter commentaries on management by dermatologists with a special interest in this disorder.
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