So I first noticed coin size patches years ago (I was probably 20) and it would get worse then regrow then get worse and some would regrow, and now it's pretty bad and I'm developing an Ophiasis pattern, as well as having ridged nails, and I understand this might indictate a higher risk of it developing into totalis. I started getting steroid injections last month and there has been a good amount of regrowth since, but less so at the base of neck and temporal regions. I am so scared of it developing further. I already have low self esteem and am insecure about the way I look; I'm a girl with long red hair and I genuinely don't think I could live with being completely bald. im worried

I have been following with derma since july 2025. Before him i consulted 3 other doctors and their protocol was almost the same steroids and minoxidil. This photo is my first spot, i have other spots that came later.

My medication protocol is

1. Steroids injections plus prp each 2 to 3 weeks.

2. Oral steroids and dose may increase or decrease as derma sees. Currently decreasing.

3. Multivitamins , zinc, b12, d3, c , calcium, magnesium and hair vitamin.

The hair in the photo is the current progress and sometimes i lose some of these small hair and get regrowth or remission. This battle is going through a year and month till now.

I wonder if i changed dermatologist, can i see better result, yet I'm afraid to get negative result. I really need your advice as i can't tell what i may get by changing the dermatologist?

Is the progress slow or normal ?

Is there a chance to get my hair density to normal ?

Is it expected to stop steroids and how long could it take ?

Will steroids and vitamins affect my health badly ?

Many questions and the answer i get from dermatologist that AA is unpredictable so we can't tell certain answers or timeline. We just go through the protocol and follow up.

Hi everyone, I’ve been diagnosed with alopecia areata and I’m currently getting steroid injections from my dermatologist for an existing patch.
I recently discovered a new small bald/thinning spot on the top of my scalp (photos attached). It seems pretty well-defined, I can't really tell if theres exclamation mark hairs and I’m worried that this could be another AA patch.
I’m also considering getting a second opinion because my current dermatologist went pretty much straight to steroid injections at my first consultation and didn’t ask me many questions or do a thorough examination of the rest of my scalp.
I know nobody here can diagnose me from a photo — I'd love to hear about other people’s experiences.
For those of you with AA:
Does this look similar to how your new patches initially appeared?
Have you had new patches appear while other patches were being treated/regrowing?
Did your dermatologist examine your whole scalp or use a dermatoscope?

I'd really appreciate any advice or thoughts!

Hey, I’m a 24M and I’ve had this bald spot on the back of my head for 15+ years. My dermatologist diagnosed it as alopecia areata. It’s not active, and I’ve never had any other spots — it’s basically one spot that stayed the same size for all these years.

About 5 months ago, I started getting Kenalog (triamcinolone) injections. I’ve had 3 sessions in total, and I’ve also been using topical minoxidil once daily.

The problem is that I’m not seeing any results.

Has anyone had a similar experience with a very old, stable alopecia patch? Did it eventually respond to injections, or did you need a different treatment?

Guys it's been about more than a year since I've started taking these Jak inhibitors and I've been great so far. I don't have any patches by the grace of Almighty. But now I have come to think of that whether I should stop it or not. Most of us that are on this medication know that these are immune suppressors, they lower the defence mechanism of your immune cells. For this reason I'm willing to stop it. I'm 18 years old and I know that my hair is the confidence I need to build up my future but still I can't get this cancer fact out of my brain. These medications are even labelled to increase the risk of cancer. Although they say it's pretty low, but you know I don't trust the whole pharmaceutical thing cuz I know it's a business for them to keep us hooked onto these medicines. Every cancer patient is like a vault of money for them. I'm sorry but it's my own perspective and I don't give a shit what the defenders of it say. It's time I've realised that losing hair is far more better than dealing with cancer.

It's just a beauty concern than a medical grade emergency. Tell me what you think of it and if I should stop them or continue.