A qualitative exploration of the experiences of adolescents with alopecia areata and their messages for healthcare professionals.

A qualitative exploration of the experiences of adolescents with alopecia areata and their messages for healthcare professionals. Br J Dermatol. 2020 Oct 11;: Authors: de Vere Hunt I, McNiven A, McPherson T Abstract Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disorder characterised by non-scarring hair loss, which affects nearly 2% of the population with 60% experiencing their first episode of hair loss before the age of 20 1 2 . The pattern of hair loss is highly variable and unpredictable, from well-defined patches to total hair loss. AA can have a transformative effect on an individual, and has significant psychological consequences for many, with high levels of anxiety and depression well-documented3 4 . These effects can be particularly profound in adolescence5 , with AA an additional challenge affecting appearance during a critical period for self-image. PMID: 33040325 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: The British Journal of Dermatology - Category: Dermatology Authors: Tags: Br J Dermatol Source Type: research