I first had signs of Alopecia in December 2009 and initially thought I had caused the small bald spot while clipping my hair. Over the next two months the spot grew larger & larger and I was eventually diagnosed with Alopecia in early February 2010. The doc suggested the steriod injections which made the spot double in size, I was given a referral to a specialist.
I immediately started searching for information online and started to get worried about which type of Alopecia I had.
Thankfully the spot pretty much stayed at the same size - 7cm x 5cm at the front right side of my head and I thought it would remain this way if not get worse.
Online searches made me feel there was no point in paying a specialist as there didn't seem to be a cure.
I decided that the easiest option (as a male) that I would simply shave my head bald and that this would be the future for me. I had always loved my hair (used to be a hairdresser) so this was a hard and upsetting decision to make, but felt I had no choice. Even shaving didn't fully help as you could still see the smooth bald spot.
A colleague from another office noticed & asked if it was Alopecia as he too had been through it, he offered to send me an ointment that had helped him.
In late October 2010 I started using this ointment containing 'Dithranol 1%' which I understand can be made up by a pharmacist.
Since using this ointment my hair has almost completely grown back to the point where you can barely see the spot, I'm hoping given current signs that within a month I will have a full head of hair again!
For the first time in couple of years I have been able to stop shaving and now people that met me since Alopecia and the shaving began, barely recognise me! I will get some before/after pics up soon!

I wish you ALL the best in finding what works for you, I am trying to get more details about what is in the ointment and once I do I will share!!!