Alopecia areata is a skin condition that causes hair loss on the scalp and/or elsewhere on the body. The condition often presents in childhood with the appearance of small bald patches on the scalp, which may lead to complete hair loss in rare cases. According to Kids Health, hair normally grows back within a year, but may fall out and re-grow again in regular cycles throughout a patient's life. While the cause of alopecia areata has not yet been determined, research is being done on the role nutrition plays.
Frequency
Alopecia areata affects both men and women in equal proportions, and is present in all races and ethnic groups. According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, it is estimated to occur in approximately 2 percent of the overall population, affecting over 4.7 million Americans. While the worldwide prevalence of alopecia areata appears to equal what is seen in the U.S., studies examining the relationship between a population's nutritional status and its prevalence of alopecia areata are limited.
Signs and Symptoms
Alopecia areata often presents in childhood, even as early as infancy. It usually occurs in otherwise healthy individuals who lose patches of hair on their scalps and/or bodies, often beginning as round or oval bald patches that may extend outward. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMM, broken hairs or hairs that are easily removed from the scalp are also commonly observed. In some cases nail pitting occurs. While nail pitting is often observed in instances of certain vitamin deficiencies, it is unknown if this is the reason for its presence in patients with alopecia areata.
Possible Causes
Alopecia areata is thought to be an autoimmune disorder, although an exact cause has yet to be determined. Its frequency is greater among close family members, indicating genetic involvement. According to the Mayo Clinic, theories on the origins of alopecia areata point toward a genetic predisposition for the disease combined with an environmental trigger, such as an infection, that sets off the hair loss cycle. While certain vitamin and protein deficiencies are known to cause hair loss, at present there is no evidence that they cause alopecia areata.
Treatments
Although alopecia areata is a relatively benign condition in that it does not cause illness, it can have profound psychological effects. Patients sometimes wish it to be treated with corticosteroids and/or topical hair growth treatments such as anthralin or minoxidil. According to the UMM, the nutritional supplements biotin and minerals found in blue-green algae may be prescribed to encourage hair growth. Children with alopecia areata are sometimes treated with biotin and zinc aspartate. Maintaining adequate vitamin D levels by receiving 20 minutes of daily sun exposure is also advised.
Considerations
While the B vitamin biotin is used to promote hair growth in alopecia areata, there is no evidence that it helps patients who are not biotin-deficient, according to the UMM. Some studies have shown that the rate of hair growth in patients using corticosteroids is similar to that seen in patients not undergoing pharmaceutical treatment.
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