Vaccines, Infections, and Alopecia Areata

May 2015

Yaron Zafrir, Sharon Baum, Nancy Agmon‐Levin, Yehuda Shoenfeld

Alopecia Areata autoimmune condition hair loss autoreactive lymphocytes anagen hair follicles genetic predisposition environmental factors infections vaccinations hepatitis B vaccine AA hair follicles genetics environmental triggers vaccines hep B vaccine

Studysummary This review discusses the potential association between vaccination and alopecia areata, highlighted in case reports, notably with the hepatitis B virus vaccine, but provides no new results.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

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Research cited in this study

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research Telogen Effluvium Following Bivalent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Administration: A Report of Two Cases

8 citations , January 2012 in “Dermatology”

This paper reports two cases of telogen effluvium in children following HPV vaccination, resolving spontaneously but associated with social and emotional distress.

research Genetic Association of HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DRB1 Polymorphisms with Alopecia Areata in the Italian Population

35 citations , June 2011 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that in an Italian population, the HLA-DQB1*03 allele was associated with increased susceptibility to alopecia areata, particularly in cases with more than 50% hair loss.

research Alopecia Areata Update

244 citations , January 2010 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This review discusses treatment options for alopecia areata and suggests tailored treatment plans, noting the challenges posed by spontaneous remission and limited high-quality clinical trials.

research Alopecia Areata Update

391 citations , January 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This article reviews the clinical presentation and histopathologic features of alopecia areata and proposes a hypothesis for its development, but it reports no new clinical results.

research Recombinant Human Hepatitis B Vaccine Initiating Alopecia Areata: Testing the Hypothesis Using the C3H/HeJ Mouse Model

23 citations , January 2009 in “Veterinary Dermatology”

This study found that recombinant hepatitis B vaccine may increase the risk of alopecia areata onset in older predisposed mice but larger trials suggest this effect might lie within normal variation.

research The C3H/HeJ Mouse and DEBR Rat Models for Alopecia Areata: Review of Preclinical Drug Screening Approaches and Results

59 citations , September 2008 in “Experimental dermatology”

This study reports that C3H/HeJ mice and DEBR rats serve as effective models for screening potential treatments for human alopecia areata, despite certain challenges in predictability and cost.

research Interventions for Alopecia Areata

164 citations , April 2008 in “Cochrane library”

This review of interventions for alopecia areata found no significant treatment benefits for hair growth compared to placebo, indicating a need for larger, well-conducted studies.

research Alopecia in the United States: Outpatient Utilization and Common Prescribing Patterns

46 citations , July 2007 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This letter discusses the psychological impact of alopecia areata, highlighting its association with increased depression and anxiety, but reports no new clinical findings.

research The Pattern and Profile of Alopecia Areata in Singapore: A Study of 219 Asians

275 citations , November 2002 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that among an Asian population with alopecia areata, commonly first episodes occurred before age 40, with severe cases linked to psychological effects and treatments showing significant regrowth.

research Hair Loss After Routine Immunizations

87 citations , October 1997 in “JAMA”

This case series suggests a possible, though likely very rare, association between vaccinations and hair loss, calling for further research in more defined populations.