Psoriasis and Alopecia: Unveiling the Links

October 2025 in “ Dermatology Practical & Conceptual ”

Mohammad Reza Pourani, Yasaman Khajeamiri, Fahimeh Abdollahimajd, Omid Zargari

psoriasis alopecia telogen effluvium drug-induced alopecia TNF-α inhibitors IL-17 blockers psoriatic alopecia alopecia areata autoimmune interplay TNF-alpha inhibitors interleukin-17 blockers AA

TLDR Psoriasis patients are more likely to develop alopecia areata due to complex autoimmune interactions.

This review explores the relationship between psoriasis and various forms of alopecia, highlighting that while most psoriasis patients with scalp involvement experience non-scarring and reversible hair loss, such as telogen effluvium, there are complex interactions at play. Drug-induced alopecia can occur with treatments like TNF-α inhibitors and IL-17 blockers, which may lead to different types of alopecia, including psoriatic alopecia and alopecia areata (AA). The review emphasizes that psoriasis patients are at an increased risk of developing AA, indicating a complex autoimmune interplay. The study underscores the importance of understanding these links for effective management and calls for further research.

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Research cited in this study

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49 citations , January 2012 in “Dermatology”

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research Alopecia Areata as Another Immune-Mediated Disease Developed in Patients Treated with Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Blocker Agents

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community I am a dermatologist with a clinical interest in alopecia. AMA

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