I've had alopecia areata for 3 years now.  Actually even traveled from SoCal to Europe to seek out alternative treatments.  Along the way, I learned some important things many dermatologists are doing wrong regarding injecting steroids.

1. Doctors dilute injectible steroids.  It allows them to cover more scalp area.  The steroid and the (basically) water don't mix well.  They almost immediately seperate in the syringe.  If your dermo isn't vigorously shaking the syringe in between shots, some of your areata spots may be getting just water and others a superconsentrated dose of steroids 

2.  Many doctors pierce the skin and inject the steroid.  This does not maximize effectiveness.   The steroid needs to be at the depth of the follicle, deep in the fat.  Those injections will be noticeably more sore.  It needs to feel like the needle is ready to hit scull.  Those will get to the follicles to hopefully reduce the cascading inflammation and allow for hair regrowth.

3.  Many derms don't keep up on the latest research, which says many of the broadly used steroids are ineffective.   The ONE still proven effective is kenalog 40 - diluted of course.  Make sure your doc is using the only proven injectable steroid.

I went to 3 dermatologists who were not doing one or several of these things and my alopecia wasn't going away.  When I finally found a doctor aware of these pitfalls to successful treatment, all my alopecia patches grew back...and this is within 2 months of treatment after 3 years of very poor results.

Unfortunately for me, I'm transitioning to universalis...am now losing all body hair.  I have regrown a short but relatively full head of hair but my doc says it may be short lived.  But for you areata sufferers, make sure these issues are addressed and understood to maximize your chances at regrowth.  Stay strong....it's only hair!