Alopecia Areata

Alopecia Areata Treatment in Terre Haute & Vincennes

Hair loss that strikes without warning isn't just physical — it's emotional. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes sudden, patchy hair loss. It can affect your scalp, beard, eyebrows, eyelashes, and other areas — and it often arrives with no clear trigger, no warning, and no easy answers.

At Biltmore Dermatology, we don't just treat alopecia areata — we treat the person living with it. We offer real diagnosis, compassionate support, and customized treatment plans built around you.

What Is Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease where your immune system mistakenly attacks your own hair follicles, causing hair to fall out — often in small, round patches. In some cases, the hair regrows. In others, new patches appear, or the condition evolves into more extensive hair loss over time.

Alopecia areata can affect:

• The scalp
• Beard area
• Eyebrows
• Eyelashes
• Other parts of the body

It's unpredictable. It's not your fault. And you're not alone.

What Causes Alopecia Areata?

The exact cause isn't fully understood, but factors may include:

• Genetics: Family history increases risk
• Autoimmune triggers: Other autoimmune diseases like thyroid disorders or vitiligo are sometimes linked
• Environmental stressors: Severe stress or trauma may contribute
• Unknown mechanisms: Often, there is no obvious trigger at all

At Biltmore Dermatology, our job is not just to treat symptoms — but to help you understand the bigger picture.

Symptoms of Alopecia Areata

• Sudden patchy hair loss (often coin-sized patches)
• Tingling, itching, or burning in affected areas before hair falls out
• Smooth skin where hair was lost (no scarring)
• Possible changes to fingernails (tiny dents or ridges)
• Emotional stress or anxiety tied to hair changes

Alopecia areata can sometimes progress to:

• Alopecia totalis: Loss of all scalp hair
• Alopecia universalis: Loss of all body hair (rare)

How We Diagnose Alopecia Areata

Diagnosis typically involves:

• Careful examination of your scalp, hair pattern, and nails
• Review of medical history, autoimmune risks, and possible triggers
• In some cases, a scalp biopsy to rule out other conditions

We take the time to confirm what's happening — and to explain what it means for you.

How We Treat Alopecia Areata at Biltmore Dermatology

There's no universal cure for alopecia areata — but there are treatments that can help promote regrowth, calm inflammation, and support emotional recovery.

At Biltmore Dermatology, treatment options may include:

• Topical corticosteroids: Applied directly to affected areas to reduce the immune system's attack on hair follicles.
• Intralesional steroid injections: Small injections into bald patches to help stimulate regrowth.
• Oral JAK inhibitors (Litfulo or Olumiant): For patients experiencing more extensive hair loss (typically over 50%), we may prescribe advanced treatments like Litfulo or Olumiant. These targeted medications work by interrupting the immune signals contributing to hair loss.
• Support for emotional well-being: Hair loss impacts more than just appearance. We understand the emotional toll and support each patient with compassion and clear guidance.

Every case of alopecia areata is unique — and so is the care plan we build with you.

Living with Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata can come and go. It can stabilize, worsen, or improve without warning.

Our goal is to:

• Support regrowth where possible
• Reduce inflammation and immune attacks
• Help you adapt with dignity, honesty, and real resources — whatever the path looks like

We are your partner — not just your provider.

Why Choose Biltmore Dermatology?

• 24+ years of dermatology experience
• Board-certified dermatology provider Ryan T. Patterson, NP-C, DCNP
• Medical-first approach to autoimmune-related hair loss
• Realistic, compassionate care — not false promises
• Trusted by Terre Haute, Vincennes, and surrounding Indiana communities

You deserve answers. You deserve respect. And you deserve a care plan that treats more than just the surface.

Let's Start With a Conversation

If you've noticed sudden hair loss, patchy shedding, or unexplained changes — the best next step is clarity.

No referral is needed. Walk in today. Stay for the care and expertise.

Come for answers. Come for support. Come for the care.

Contact Us