What Triggers Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia areata is consistent with autoimmune disease and is one of the relatively more common causes for hair loss. It often presents as round or oval – shaped patchy hair loss while onset can be both sudden and unpredictable. Spontaneous remissions are characteristic however recurrences are also possible. Overall, there is still a lot left unknown about alopecia areata but there is some evidence as to what can trigger recurrences including both genetic and environmental factors.

Genetic Predisposition

A complex interaction of multiple genes is believed to contribute to the appearance of alopecia areata. An increased frequency of alopecia areata is observed in genetically related individuals1 with a higher likelihood of severe symptoms developing in first-degree relatives2–5. Additionally the autoimmune diseases vitiligo, lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, thyroid disease, allergic rhinitis, pernicious anemia, diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis have all been correlated with alopecia areata3–7.

Pathogens

Infectious pathogens including viruses and bacteria have been implicated in triggering a recurrence of alopecia areata4. For instance the Epstein-Barr virus, which is a common virus from the herpes family, has been associated with a small number of alopecia areata recurrences, especially in adolescents8.

Seasonal Shifts

There also seems to be a seasonal component to alopecia areata. Relapses occur most often in February and March and may be related to a vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin) deficiency9.

Stress

We can blame pretty much anything on stress. In this case an altered stress response has been observed in mice induced with alopecia areata10.  It has also been suggested that significant changes in stress can affect the immune system leading to the changes in disease progression observed11.

Hormones

Certain hormones such as estradiol promoted rapid progression of alopecia area while others such as dihydrotestosterone increased resistance to alopecia areata as observed in mice12.

Diet

Certain diets have been suggested as potential contributors as well. There is evidence that soy oil can modify inflammation. As inflammation is consistent with alopecia areata, diets with increasing amounts of soy oil were investigated. A reduced appearance of alopecia areata was observed as soy oil was increased suggesting that soy oil may affect susceptibility through modulating inflammatory activity13.

Taken together, what is clear is that there is still currently a lot to alopecia areata that remains unknown.

Article by: Dr. J.L. Carviel, PhD, Mediprobe Research Inc.

References

  1. McElwee K, Freyschmidt-Paul P, Ziegler A, Happle R, Hoffmann R. Genetic susceptibility and severity of alopecia areata in human and animal models. Eur J Dermatol EJD. 2001 Feb;11(1):11–6.
  2. van der Steen P, Traupe H, Happle R, Boezeman J, Sträter R, Hamm H. The genetic risk for alopecia areata in first degree relatives of severely affected patients. An estimate. Acta Derm Venereol. 1992 Sep;72(5):373–5.
  3. McDonagh AJG, Tazi-Ahnini R. Epidemiology and genetics of alopecia areata. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2002 Jul;27(5):405–9.
  4. McElwee KJ, Gilhar A, Tobin DJ, Ramot Y, Sundberg JP, Nakamura M, et al. What causes alopecia areata? Exp Dermatol. 2013 Sep;22(9):609–26.
  5. Biran R, Zlotogorski A, Ramot Y. The genetics of alopecia areata: New approaches, new findings, new treatments. J Dermatol Sci. 2015 Apr;78(1):11–20.
  6. Barahmani N, Schabath MB, Duvic M, National Alopecia Areata Registry. History of atopy or autoimmunity increases risk of alopecia areata. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009 Oct;61(4):581–91.
  7. Huang KP, Mullangi S, Guo Y, Qureshi AA. Autoimmune, atopic, and mental health comorbid conditions associated with alopecia areata in the United States. JAMA Dermatol. 2013 Jul;149(7):789–94.
  8. Rodriguez TA, Duvic M, National Alopecia Areata Registry. Onset of alopecia areata after Epstein-Barr virus infectious mononucleosis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008 Jul;59(1):137–9.
  9. Ovidio R d’, Vessio M, Ovidio FD d’. Reduced level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in chronic/relapsing Alopecia Areata. Dermatoendocrinol. 2013 Apr 1;5(2):271–3.
  10. Zhang X, Yu M, Yu W, Weinberg J, Shapiro J, McElwee KJ. Development of alopecia areata is associated with higher central and peripheral hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal tone in the skin graft induced C3H/HeJ mouse model. J Invest Dermatol. 2009 Jun;129(6):1527–38.
  11. Elenkov IJ, Chrousos GP. Stress hormones, proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines, and autoimmunity. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2002 Jun;966:290–303.
  12. McElwee KJ, Silva K, Beamer WG, King LE, Sundberg JP. Melanocyte and gonad activity as potential severity modifying factors in C3H/HeJ mouse alopecia areata. Exp Dermatol. 2001 Dec;10(6):420–9.
  13. McElwee KJ, Niiyama S, Freyschmidt-Paul P, Wenzel E, Kissling S, Sundberg JP, et al. Dietary soy oil content and soy-derived phytoestrogen genistein increase resistance to alopecia areata onset in C3H/HeJ mice. Exp Dermatol. 2003 Feb;12(1):30–6.
By on February 24, 2016   /   Hair loss Articles