Cytokine Dysregulation in Alopecia Areata Associated with Atopy

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune disease, causing patchy hair loss that can progress to involve the entire scalp (totalis) or body (universalis). Alopecia areata co- morbidities include atopic diseases with a high association approaching 25%. The specific immune mechanisms driving hair loss and association of AA and atopy may be related to specific systemic production of cytokines which was investigated in this study of patients with and without atopy.