Vitamin D And Its Role In Alopecia Areata

Abstract

Alopecia areata is one of the most common forms of non-scarring hair loss which may involve any hair bearing part of the body. It affects children, adults and both sexes without any predilection. Its prevalence varies from 01.-0.2%, affecting approximately 2% of the population. It is considered to be an auto-immune disorder involving a disordered and shortened hair cycle. However, its true aetiology and pathogenesis remains unknown. Genetic, environmental and psychological factors have been considered to explain is occurrence. In recent years, numerous reports have been published citing the role of vitamin D in cutaneous immune modulation. Its active form has been reported to act as an immunomodulator, and Vitamin D receptors (VDR) have been found in dermal papilla cells and in the epidermis of the hair follicles. Further, Vitamin D has been reported to regulate innate as well as adaptive immunity. In this review, we have summarized the papers highlighting the importance of vitamin D in pathogenesis of hair loss due to alopecia areata.