Case Report: Alopecia Areata and Cannabis Use
March 2022
in “
Research Square (Research Square)
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Studysummary This case report describes a 15-year-old girl with Alopecia Universalis and psychiatric conditions experiencing hair regrowth after self-medicating with cannabis, suggesting it may have therapeutic potential.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
This document presents a case report of a 15-year-old girl with Alopecia Universalis, a severe form of alopecia areata, who experienced hair regrowth coinciding with her self-medication using cannabis. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that leads to unpredictable hair loss and has a lifetime prevalence of about 2% in the general population. It is often associated with other disorders such as depression, thyroid diseases, and anxiety. The case report suggests that cannabis, which interacts with cannabinoid receptors found on various immune cells, may have played a role in the patient's hair regrowth. The author aims to highlight the potential of cannabis as a treatment for alopecia areata while also considering the need to mitigate its side effects.
