What vitamin deficiency can cause alopecia?

Author: Constantin Miller  |  Last update: Friday, February 24, 2023

Alopecia areata (AA) occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicle. Studies have shown a relationship between AA and low vitamin D levels. Vitamin D should be supplemented if levels are low.

Can Vitamin B12 deficiency cause alopecia?

Vitamin B12 also manufactures red blood cells that are oxygen carriers, throughout your body, including to your scalp. If your scalp is not rich in oxygen, not only will you likely experience hair loss, but your hair follicles may not be able to sustain hair regrowth.

Can low vitamin D cause alopecia?

“Both vitamin D deficiency, as well as vitamin D excess, may cause hair loss,” Chacon explains. A 2020 study in the International Journal of Dermatology found that vitamin D deficiency may also play a role in the development and severity of androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness.

Can vitamin D reverse alopecia?

Calcipotriol, a vitamin D analog, has been reported to be topically used in treating alopecia areata with promising results. Combination therapy of vitamin D analogs with corticosteroids might also be used in treating alopecia areata.

What is the number one cause of alopecia?

Family history (heredity). The most common cause of hair loss is a hereditary condition that happens with aging. This condition is called androgenic alopecia, male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness.

Vitamin D and Hair Loss

What foods cause alopecia?

FOODS THAT CAUSE HAIR LOSS
  • Dairy.
  • Sugar.
  • Refined Carbs.
  • Nuts.
  • Swordfish.
  • Greasy Food.
  • Carbonated Drinks.
  • Alcohol.

What virus causes alopecia?

Alopecia areata is sometimes triggered by viral infections such as influenza that causes excess production of interferons (IFN). IFN- γ is one of the key factors that lead to the collapse of immune privilege.

What vitamin should I take for alopecia?

Alopecia areata (AA) occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicle. Studies have shown a relationship between AA and low vitamin D levels. Vitamin D should be supplemented if levels are low.

What is the best vitamin to take for alopecia areata?

Vitamin D and zinc (and vitamin A) are critical to immune function and may provide an adjunct treatment option for AA. Insufficiency of these key micronutrients, whether primary or secondary to genetic polymorphisms, is linked to both the incidence and severity of AA.

How much vitamin D should I take for alopecia?

According to Levitan, getting between 800 and 2,000 IU—or 20 to 50 micrograms—of vitamin D daily is usually enough, and “too much can cause toxicity.” Some people require 5,000 IU daily to maintain optimum blood levels and Vitamin D should be taken in the morning with Magnesium for maximum bioavailability.

Can low iron cause alopecia?

Some suggest that iron deficiency may be related to alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, and diffuse hair loss, while others do not. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to recommend universal screening for iron deficiency in patients with hair loss.

What should be avoided in alopecia areata?

On the AIP elimination diet, you will avoid grains, legumes, nightshades (such as potatoes and peppers), dairy, eggs, coffee, alcohol, sugar, oil and food additives. After a few months, you can work the excluded foods back in one at a time to figure out which foods trigger an inflammatory reaction.

How long after taking vitamin D will hair grow back?

Vitamin D supplements are an excellent way to improve your Vitamin D blood levels. Unfortunately, not many foods naturally contain an adequate amount of Vitamin D. If you are consistent with taking your Vitamin D supplements, there is a likelihood that you will see hair regrowth results within six to eight weeks.

What causes alopecia flare ups?

It is believed that the person's genetic makeup may trigger the autoimmune reaction of alopecia areata, along with a virus or a substance the person comes into contact with. Alopecia areata is an unpredictable disease. In some people, hair grows back but falls out again later. In others, hair grows back and remains.

Is alopecia an immune deficiency?

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease of the hair follicles. It is characterized by a well-defined non-scarring alopecic patch or patches that may extend to the entire scalp or lead to total body hair loss. Due to its unpredictable clinical course, AA causes substantial psychological harm.

Does zinc deficiency cause alopecia?

Although zinc doesn't appear to play a major role in androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness), zinc deficiency can contribute to some types of hair loss. Some research has found that men with male pattern baldness and some other forms of hair loss have low levels of zinc.

Can anything reverse alopecia?

Can Alopecia Be Reversed? Whether your hair loss is caused by hormones or an autoimmune disorder, regrowing your hair by using new medications and modifying your diet can be possible as long as you start treatment early.

What helps fight alopecia?

Treatments for mild alopecia areata
  • INTRALESIONAL CORTICOSTEROID INJECTIONS. This method of treatment — the most common form of treatment for alopecia areata — uses corticosteroids that are injected into bare patches of skin with a tiny needle. ...
  • TOPICAL MINOXIDIL. ...
  • ANTHRALIN CREAM OR OINTMENT. ...
  • TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROIDS.

How can I boost my immune system to fight alopecia?

Bright colored fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants that help reduce inflammation. These include apples, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, pineapple, cherries, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach and green cabbage. And with these, symptoms of alopecia areata might also improve. This contains many antioxidants.

What is the fastest way to cure alopecia?

Topical minoxidil

Minoxidil, commonly known as Rogaine, is a topical treatment that's easy to apply and can be easily purchased over the counter. Minoxidil works to help the hair grow faster once the follicle is no longer under attack by the immune system and is capable of producing hair.

How can I fix my alopecia naturally?

Natural hair regrowth treatment options
  1. Massage. Massaging the scalp, which people can combine with hair oils and masks, stimulates the scalp and may improve hair thickness . ...
  2. Aloe vera. Aloe vera has long been used for treating hair loss. ...
  3. Coconut oil. ...
  4. Viviscal. ...
  5. Fish oil. ...
  6. Ginseng. ...
  7. Onion juice. ...
  8. Rosemary oil.

Does alopecia mean your sick?

Alopecia areata isn't usually a serious medical condition, but it can cause a lot of anxiety and sadness. Support groups are out there to help you deal with the psychological effects of the condition. If you lose all your hair, it could grow back.

What autoimmune disease causes alopecia?

Alopecia areata is an inflammatory, non-scarring hair loss associated with autoimmune conditions. It is more commonly seen with thyroid disorders and vitiligo, but alopecia areata has also been linked to diabetes, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

What causes alopecia in females?

Female-pattern baldness is a pattern of hair loss (alopecia) caused by hormones, aging and genetics. Unlike male-pattern baldness, female-pattern baldness is an over-all thinning which maintains the normal hairline.

What foods cure alopecia?

Fresh vegetables and fruits are the best natural and rich sources of antioxidants. So, add berries, apples, apricots, leafy green vegetables, broccoli, and spinach to your alopecia areata diet.

Previous article
How can I stimulate my hair to grow after alopecia?
Next article
What is the least common face shape?