Scalp Hair Cortisol Concentration in Patients With Alopecia Areata and Correlate Its Level With the Disease Variables
TLDR Higher stress levels may worsen alopecia areata, suggesting stress management is important for treatment.
This study explores the link between scalp hair cortisol concentration and alopecia areata (AA), an autoimmune disorder causing hair loss. It suggests that AA patients exhibit increased hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity, impacting stress management. Hair cortisol levels, reflecting chronic stress, were found to be higher in AA patients compared to healthy controls and positively correlated with the severity of hair loss as measured by SALT scores. This indicates that stress may exacerbate AA, and managing stress could be crucial in its treatment. The study underscores the complexity of AA management, advocating for personalized treatment plans and further research into novel therapies like platelet-rich plasma.
