Alopecia Areata (AA)
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition where the immune system targets hair follicles, causing patchy, non‑scarring hair loss on the scalp, beard, or body.
Overview
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition where the immune system targets hair follicles, causing patchy, non‑scarring hair loss on the scalp, beard, or body. It can range from small patches to complete scalp (totalis) or whole‑body hair loss (universalis). Lifetime risk is commonly estimated around 1.7–2.1%, affecting people of all ages. JAADJAMA Network If not well managed, AA can relapse and significantly affect confidence and quality of life.
Common Misunderstandings
AA isn’t caused by poor hygiene or stress alone. It’s an immune‑mediated disease, and flares can occur even when you’re “doing everything right.” Many feel dismissed when told to “just wait it out,” and the visibility of hair loss can be deeply distressing.
How is Alopecia Areata Linked to Your Microbiome?
- AA is driven by a breakdown of the hair follicle’s immune privilege with T‑cell‑mediated attack; this is the core disease biology. New England Journal of MedicineScienceDirect
- Studies show scalp microbiome shifts in AA (e.g., changes in Cutibacterium/Staphylococcus balance) compared with healthy controls, suggesting local dysbiosis may contribute to inflammation around follicles. PLOS
- Early work links gut microbiome differences to AA; a 2024 Mendelian‑randomisation analysis suggests certain gut bacterial signatures may have a causal relationship with AA risk (still emerging evidence and needs replication). Frontiers
- Small observational studies report that severity of AA correlates with scalp‑microbiome imbalance and systemic inflammatory markers. SpringerLink+1
- Case reports describe hair regrowth after faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) given for other conditions; these are intriguing but not proof, and FMT is not established therapy for AA. WJGNetResearchGate
Been diagnosed with Alopecia Areata?
