• No treatment has been shown to influence the long-term outcome of AA, which is usually self-limiting.
• Recurrences of AA are quite common; stress appears to be the triggering factor in many cases.
• The fact that AA is common in patients with Down's syndrome suggests the possible involvement of a gene located on chromosome 21.
• Alopecia patients are often quite anxious and therefore may benefit from referral to dermatology for evaluation of what can be a complex problem.