Alopecia Areata in Latin America: Where Are We and Where Are We Going?

Alopecia areata (AA) is a significant but underrecognized issue in Latin America (LA), with limited access to specialized dermatologic care and therapies. A panel of six dermatologists from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico identified that access constraints to both conventional and novel medicines hinder appropriate treatments for patients, and delays in therapy initiation can affect mental health, disease progression, and quality of life. The panel also noted that people with AA face stigmas, discrimination, and misconceptions due to a lack of disease awareness. With new treatments for AA on the horizon, the panel recommends that all stakeholders coordinate efforts to enhance LA’s AA management landscape and improve patient outcomes. The document also emphasizes the need to generate local data on AA epidemiology, disease burden, and treatment outcomes, and calls for the development of national clinical practice guidelines tailored to each country's unique context.