TLDR Early recognition and treatment of atypical alopecia areata in infants are crucial.
This case report details a rare occurrence of ophiasis pattern alopecia areata in a four-month-old infant after a traditional head-shaving ritual. The infant exhibited band-like hair loss on the scalp, which partially improved with six weeks of topical triamcinolone 0.1% lotion, though full recovery was not achieved. The report emphasizes the importance of identifying atypical AA presentations in infants and suggests the hair loss was likely coincidental to the ritual. Early recognition and treatment of AA are crucial to prevent progression, particularly given the poorer prognosis in younger patients and those with ophiasis pattern.
290 citations,
January 2018 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.
144 citations,
July 2015 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology” Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune disease affecting about 2% of people, causing significant disability and often associated with mental health issues and other autoimmune conditions.
109 citations,
May 2011 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss that can lead to complete baldness, often associated with other autoimmune conditions, and half of the cases may see hair return within a year.
148 citations,
March 2019 in “Journal of autoimmunity” Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease causing patchy hair loss, often with other autoimmune disorders, but its exact causes are unknown.
May 2018 in “Journal of cosmetology & trichology” Combining platelet-rich plasma therapy with prostaglandin-F eye drops can significantly regrow hair in alopecia universalis.
