Does Zinc Have a Role in Alopecia Areata? A Clinic-Biochemical Study

February 2023 in “ Global journal of health sciences and research ”

Gowtham Saravanan, Karthikeyan Kaliyaperumal

alopecia areata serum zinc levels Severity of Alopecia Tool score zinc deficiency patchy hair loss calorimetrically zinc

TLDR Zinc levels are not significantly linked to the presence or severity of alopecia areata.

The study on 88 patients aged 17-62 investigated the relationship between serum zinc levels and alopecia areata (AA) severity, finding that 52.2% had zinc deficiency. However, no significant association was observed between serum zinc levels and AA severity. The study concluded that zinc does not play a significant role in AA, suggesting that factors like immunity and genetics are more critical. The main limitation was the lack of a control group and follow-up.

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Research cited in this study

6 / 6 results

research Epidemiology and Burden of Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review

144 citations, July 2015 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology”

Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune disease affecting about 2% of people, causing significant disability and often associated with mental health issues and other autoimmune conditions.

research Comparison of Zinc, Copper, and Iron Content in Hair and Serum in Alopecia Areata Patients with Normal Group

21 citations, January 2014 in “Dermatology Research and Practice”

Hair and serum levels of zinc, copper, and iron are similar in people with alopecia areata and healthy individuals.

research Alopecia Areata: An Update

67 citations, January 2013 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

The document concludes that alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease without a definitive cure, but treatments like corticosteroids are commonly used.

research Analysis of Serum Zinc and Copper Concentrations in Hair Loss

73 citations, January 2013 in “Annals of Dermatology”

People with hair loss, especially those with certain types, have lower zinc levels, and zinc supplements might help.

The Therapeutic Effect and Changed Serum Zinc Level After Zinc Supplementation in Alopecia Areata Patients with Low Serum Zinc Level

research The Therapeutic Effect and Changed Serum Zinc Level After Zinc Supplementation in Alopecia Areata Patients with Low Serum Zinc Level

65 citations, January 2009 in “Annals of Dermatology”

Zinc supplements increased zinc levels in some hair loss patients but didn't significantly improve hair growth.

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

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

Alopecia areata mainly affects young people and has significant psychological impacts, especially in males.

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4 / 4 results

research Case Report of Novel Combination of Anthralin and Calcipotriene Leading to Trichologic Response in Alopecia Areata

6 citations, March 2019 in “JAAD case reports”

A new mix of anthralin and calcipotriene might help treat severe hair loss.

research Alopecia Areata: A Multifactorial Autoimmune Condition

148 citations, 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.

research Linear Alopecia Areata

4 citations, November 2018 in “JAAD case reports”

Alopecia areata can sometimes appear as a straight line of hair loss instead of round patches.

research Treating Resistant Cases of Alopecia Universalis

May 2018 in “Journal of cosmetology & trichology”

Combining platelet-rich plasma therapy with prostaglandin-F eye drops can significantly regrow hair in alopecia universalis.

Does Zinc Have a Role in Alopecia Areata? A Clinic-Biochemical Study

Research cited in this study

research Epidemiology and Burden of Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review

research Comparison of Zinc, Copper, and Iron Content in Hair and Serum in Alopecia Areata Patients with Normal Group

research Alopecia Areata: An Update

research Analysis of Serum Zinc and Copper Concentrations in Hair Loss

research The Therapeutic Effect and Changed Serum Zinc Level After Zinc Supplementation in Alopecia Areata Patients with Low Serum Zinc Level

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

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Related Research

research Case Report of Novel Combination of Anthralin and Calcipotriene Leading to Trichologic Response in Alopecia Areata

research Alopecia Areata: A Multifactorial Autoimmune Condition

research Linear Alopecia Areata

research Treating Resistant Cases of Alopecia Universalis