TLDR Stress can trigger or worsen alopecia areata.
This study investigated the relationship between stress and alopecia areata in 50 patients, using a case-control design. It found that a significant number of patients with alopecia areata identified stressful life events, particularly personal and financial problems, as compared to 56% in the control group. The results suggested that stress played an important role in the onset and exacerbation of alopecia areata.
148 citations
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December 2018 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.
20 citations
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August 2018 in “Clinics in Dermatology” The conclusion is that understanding and addressing the psychological effects of alopecia areata is important for effective treatment.
51 citations
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December 2017 in “Skin Appendage Disorders” Stress may trigger hair loss by affecting immune protection in hair follicles.
13 citations
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March 2017 in “PubMed” People with a common type of hair loss have higher stress levels in their body, and treatments that reduce this stress could help.
April 2019 in “International journal of research in dermatology” A child with rough nails also had hair loss and allergies.
