The Hair Loss Encyclopedia

Alopecia Areata and Season of Onset: A Retrospective Study of 492 Cases

January 2024 in “ Annals of Dermatology ”

Sang Hoon Lee, Seung‐Won Jung, Won‐Soo Lee

alopecia areata SALT50 immune privilege collapse vitamin D deficiency

Image of study

TLDR Winter-onset alopecia areata patients are more likely to regrow hair within a year compared to spring-onset patients.

This retrospective study of 492 alopecia areata (AA) cases examined the impact of the season of onset on disease severity and prognosis. While no significant differences were found in initial severity and clinical progress based on the season, winter-onset AA patients were more likely to achieve significant hair regrowth (SALT50) within 1 year compared to spring-onset patients. The study suggests that winter's low temperature, humidity, and potential vitamin D deficiency may influence AA's pathogenesis and prognosis, though seasonal factors do not significantly affect the primary role of immune privilege collapse in AA. The study calls for further research on AA's long-term prognosis and notes limitations like recall bias and the inability to measure vitamin D levels.

View this study on anndermatol.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

4 / 4 results

Influence of Climate Factors on Pediatric Alopecia Areata Flares in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

research Influence of Climate Factors on Pediatric Alopecia Areata Flares in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

5 citations , October 2021 in “Scientific Reports”

Climate factors like UV index and rain can affect alopecia areata flares in children, especially those with allergies.

research Hair Follicle Immune Privilege and Its Collapse in Alopecia Areata

134 citations , July 2020 in “Experimental dermatology”

Hair follicles are normally protected from the immune system, but when this protection fails, it can cause hair loss in alopecia areata.

Alopecia Areata: Overview and Insights from January 2018

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Insights from January 2018

290 citations , December 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss, influenced by genetics, stress, and diet, and may be prevented by a high soy oil diet.

Seasonal Alopecia Areata with Atopy

research Seasonal Alopecia Areata with Atopy

8 citations , October 1989 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

A 5-year-old boy's seasonal hair loss is linked to his allergies.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community Alopecia Areata Question

in Treatment 2 upvotes 5 years ago

A user with alopecia totalis, borderline universalis, seeks advice on getting into a Xeljanz trial or appealing insurance for coverage. They experienced significant hair regrowth but are now seeing hair loss again and want to try Xeljanz.

community mbp alopecia areata or vitamin deficiency

in Chat 1 year ago

A 19-year-old male has been using topical finasteride and minoxidil for 8 months with no progress and is considering seeking a second opinion due to potential misdiagnosis. The discussion revolves around whether the hair loss is due to male pattern baldness, alopecia areata, or a vitamin deficiency.

community Olumiant alternative for Alopecia Areata?

in Treatment 1 upvotes 2 years ago

A user with alopecia areata is considering treatment options like injections or Olumiant but is concerned about cost and whether delaying treatment will lead to permanent hair loss. They are seeking alternative treatments that are more affordable for a college student.

community Covid (likely) induced alopecia areata - now 2nd round of Covid, what can I expect?

in Treatment 1 upvotes 3 years ago

After experiencing hair loss due to alopecia areata following COVID-19 vaccination and infection, the individual saw improvement with steroid treatments and Olumiant. They paused Olumiant during a second COVID-19 infection and expressed concern about potential hair loss flare-ups.

community Onion Juice - An effective topical treatment for Alopecia Areata 🧬

in Treatment 2 years ago

Onion juice, when applied topically, is an effective treatment for Alopecia Areata, showing significant hair regrowth in both males and females. The study suggests it could be interesting to test its effectiveness on Androgenic Alopecia.

community Nearly 40% of Adults with Alopecia Areata Taking OLUMIANT® 4-mg Saw at Least 80% Scalp Hair Coverage at 52 Weeks

in Research/Science 6 upvotes 3 years ago

Nearly 40% of adults with alopecia areata achieved at least 80% scalp hair coverage after 52 weeks of taking OLUMIANT® 4-mg. The conversation distinguishes this success from androgenetic alopecia, which is a different type of hair loss.

Related Research

1 / 1 results

Twenty Nail Dystrophy with Alopecia Areata in an Atopic Child

research Twenty Nail Dystrophy with Alopecia Areata in an Atopic Child

April 2019 in “International journal of research in dermatology”

A child with rough nails also had hair loss and allergies.