TLDR Allergies, especially dust mite allergy, may worsen alopecia areata, and desensitization could help reduce its severity.
The study explored the role of T helper type 2 (Th2) immune response in alopecia areata (AA), a condition characterized by inflammatory and non-scarring hair loss. It was found that allergies, particularly to dust mites, might contribute to severe and recurrent cases of AA, especially in children, due to a predominant Th2 response. Desensitization therapy could suppress this response, potentially reducing the severity of AA relapses. High levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) were associated with better outcomes from dupilumab treatment, while high interleukin-4 levels indicated poor response to diphenylcyclopropenone immunotherapy. The study suggested that serum IgE, dust mite-specific IgE, and interleukin-4 could serve as biomarkers for Th2 dominance in AA, providing insights for personalized treatment approaches.
37 citations
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December 2021 in “Cells” Alopecia areata severity and treatment response are linked to specific cytokine levels.
2 citations
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September 2021 in “JAAD case reports” Dupilumab helped a woman with severe hair loss regrow her hair quickly and maintain it for six months after stopping treatment.
14 citations
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July 2021 in “Anais brasileiros de dermatologia/Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia” Interleukin levels are higher in alopecia areata patients but don't predict disease severity or duration.
19 citations
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January 2021 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Dupilumab may help children with alopecia areata and atopic dermatitis regrow hair.
4 citations
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October 2020 in “The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings/The Journal of investigative dermatology symposium proceedings” IL-4 and IL-13 might play a role in a type of hair loss similar to alopecia areata.
55 citations
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October 2019 in “The journal of allergy and clinical immunology/Journal of allergy and clinical immunology/The journal of allergy and clinical immunology” The review suggests that other immune cells besides CD8+ T cells may contribute to alopecia areata and that targeting regulatory cell defects could improve treatment.
12 citations
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August 2019 in “Dermatitis” Dupilumab for skin problems might reactivate hair loss in some patients.
7 citations
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November 2018 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” White hairs often regrow in alopecia areata patches.
30 citations
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August 2015 in “JAAD case reports” Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections successfully treated a woman's steroid-resistant hair loss, causing hair to regrow within a month.
April 2019 in “International journal of research in dermatology” A child with rough nails also had hair loss and allergies.
37 citations
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October 2017 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” Oral tofacitinib shows promise in treating atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata, but only slight improvement in vitiligo.
18 citations
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January 2010 in “Dermatology Research and Practice” DPCP treatment for alopecia areata can sometimes cause vitiligo.
