To what extent do external factors such as lifestyle and environmental factors play a
role in the pathogenesis ofAlopecia areata?
TOPIC:ALOPECIA AREATA PATHOGENESIS
Biology EE
Word Count: 4000
, Table of Contents:
1.Introduction................................................................................3
2.Methodology...............................................................................4
3.Mainbody...................................................................................4
3.1:Alopeciaandage.....................................................................................4
3.2:Alopeciaandstress.................................................................................5
3.3:Alopeciaandsunlight.............................................................................8
3.5:Alopeciaandskinconditions................................................................12
3.6:Alopeciaandotherautoimmunediseases.............................................13
3.7:Alopeciaandgutbacteria......................................................................14
3.8:Alopeciaandgenes...............................................................................16
4.Conclusion.................................................................................17
5.Citations....................................................................................19
Appendix:.....................................................................................22
, Research Question:
To what extent do external (lifestyle/environmental) factors play a role in the pathogenesis
of alopecia areata?
1. Introduction
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease where your own cells begin attacking the
hair follicles on the scalp causing ‘bald patches’. Alopecia areata specifically attacks the hair
follicles of the head and face but this can differ when looking at other types of alopecia.
However, alopecia areata is something that I personally had around the age of 11-12. I don’t
remember the bald patches but I do remember going for treatment to get cortisone shots.
Corticosteroids also known as steroids are one of the possible treatments for alopecia areata
but are extremely inconvenient and personally a traumatic experience that no child would
want to experience.
Whilst on the other hand, androgenetic alopecia is also very commonly known to be
spread down generations due to its high relationship with the genes. For example, in my
family my great grandfather had androgenetic alopecia so my grandfather inherited it from
him. This type of alopecia is sex-linked and is hereditary which allows for the understanding
of the pathogenesis of the disease. There have been someveryrare cases where people are
able to make a full recovery from alopecia areata (AA) which is what happened in my case.
However, according to medical professionals it is advised to be cautious as it is most
common for alopecia to return years later.
The first thing that needs to be acknowledged is the lifestyle and environmental
factors that are able to stimulate the development of alopecia areata. To understand this, we
will look at data for the causes of alopecia areata in particular the external factors which can
be easily controlled if needed. Then we will observe the external factors that can be possibly
stimulating alopecia in order to understand if there are any significant factors that
overstimulate the development of AA.
role in the pathogenesis ofAlopecia areata?
TOPIC:ALOPECIA AREATA PATHOGENESIS
Biology EE
Word Count: 4000
, Table of Contents:
1.Introduction................................................................................3
2.Methodology...............................................................................4
3.Mainbody...................................................................................4
3.1:Alopeciaandage.....................................................................................4
3.2:Alopeciaandstress.................................................................................5
3.3:Alopeciaandsunlight.............................................................................8
3.5:Alopeciaandskinconditions................................................................12
3.6:Alopeciaandotherautoimmunediseases.............................................13
3.7:Alopeciaandgutbacteria......................................................................14
3.8:Alopeciaandgenes...............................................................................16
4.Conclusion.................................................................................17
5.Citations....................................................................................19
Appendix:.....................................................................................22
, Research Question:
To what extent do external (lifestyle/environmental) factors play a role in the pathogenesis
of alopecia areata?
1. Introduction
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease where your own cells begin attacking the
hair follicles on the scalp causing ‘bald patches’. Alopecia areata specifically attacks the hair
follicles of the head and face but this can differ when looking at other types of alopecia.
However, alopecia areata is something that I personally had around the age of 11-12. I don’t
remember the bald patches but I do remember going for treatment to get cortisone shots.
Corticosteroids also known as steroids are one of the possible treatments for alopecia areata
but are extremely inconvenient and personally a traumatic experience that no child would
want to experience.
Whilst on the other hand, androgenetic alopecia is also very commonly known to be
spread down generations due to its high relationship with the genes. For example, in my
family my great grandfather had androgenetic alopecia so my grandfather inherited it from
him. This type of alopecia is sex-linked and is hereditary which allows for the understanding
of the pathogenesis of the disease. There have been someveryrare cases where people are
able to make a full recovery from alopecia areata (AA) which is what happened in my case.
However, according to medical professionals it is advised to be cautious as it is most
common for alopecia to return years later.
The first thing that needs to be acknowledged is the lifestyle and environmental
factors that are able to stimulate the development of alopecia areata. To understand this, we
will look at data for the causes of alopecia areata in particular the external factors which can
be easily controlled if needed. Then we will observe the external factors that can be possibly
stimulating alopecia in order to understand if there are any significant factors that
overstimulate the development of AA.
