Abstract: The topical drugs are mostly selected in the treatment of alopecia areata. The application of topical corticosteroids, sensitizers including diphenylcyclopropenone and squaric acid dibutylester, anthralin, minoxidil, bimatoprost, tretinoin, bexarotene, calcipotriol, capsaicin, azelaic acid, garlic gel and onion juice in the treatment of alopecia areata is reviewed in this article.