Q I'm a man in my 40s. Early this year my work stress was extreme, and after that my hair began falling out in several spots. Does stress directly cause alopecia areata?
A Stress is a major trigger and aggravating factor for alopecia areata. Extreme stress disrupts the balance of immune regulation and accelerates the appearance of bald patches in those who already have a predisposition.
Detailed Answer
Stress raises cortisol secretion and destabilizes immune regulation, causing the autoimmune reaction to become overactive. In fact, many patients experience psychological shock or overwork within the months before onset. If bald patches appear in several places at once, it is important to check whether the condition is progressing to a multifocal type.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
Excessive stress blocks the Liver's function of free coursing (soseol), creating a state of Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis (gibik-hyeoeo). When Qi is blocked, scalp circulation declines and nutrients fail to reach the follicles. It is necessary to combine stress-relieving acupuncture with circulation-improving herbal medicine to unblock the stagnated Qi and blood.
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