TLDR Alopecia areata negatively affects family life, mental health, and quality of life in young people.
The study examined 45 children and adolescents with alopecia areata (AA) to assess family functioning, psychopathology, and quality of life. It found that family functioning was impaired in affective involvement and behavior control. Psychiatric comorbidity was present in 42.2% of cases and significantly impacted depression, family functioning, and quality of life. A psychosocial trigger was identified in 51.1% of cases, but its presence did not necessarily correlate with psychopathology or quality of life impairment. Lesion intensity was linked to the number of attacks and disease duration. Overall, psychiatric comorbidity was the most significant factor affecting quality of life.
106 citations
,
January 2013 in “Clinical and Developmental Immunology” Alopecia areata is caused by immune system attacks on hair follicles, often triggered by viral infections.
11 citations
,
November 2012 in “Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery” Genetic factors affect hair loss, and molecular testing may help predict, diagnose, and treat it.
85 citations
,
October 2012 in “Dermatologic Clinics” Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition often starting before age 20, with varied treatment success and a need for personalized treatment plans.
421 citations
,
April 2012 in “The New England Journal of Medicine” Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss with no cure and treatments that often don't work well.
86 citations
,
May 2011 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” How bad a woman's hair loss is doesn't always match how it affects her happiness and daily life.
43 citations
,
March 2011 in “Journal of psychosomatic research” Kids with alopecia areata may experience more stress but not necessarily feel more anxious or depressed than others.
October 2023 in “Acta dermato-venereologica (Print)” People with severe hair loss have lower zinc levels in their blood.
