Nothing in the human body happens in isolation: Whether it’s inflammation or similar genetic pathways, many common diseases share similar causes. Alopecia, or baldness, is no different.
A new study published in JAMA Dermatology makes some interesting connections between alopecia and other conditions: Researchers looked at 350 people with diagnosed alopecia areata and found that 38% had atopy (a genetic disposition to allergies, like allergic rhinitis, asthma, and eczema), 35% had contact dermatitis, and 14% had thyroid disease. Twenty-five percent also had a mental health problem like depression or anxiety. (While hair loss certainly causes anxiety, stress is also a known trigger of hair loss.)