The Concurrence of Atopic Dermatitis and Alopecia Areata: How Common Is It? Why Does It Happen? How Is This Managed Optimally in Clinical Practice?

Atopic dermatitis (AD) and alopecia areata (AA) are chronic immune-mediated disorders that frequently coexist in the same patient, an observation noted in both pediatric and adult populations. The clinical implications of a patient experiencing both disease states simultaneously underscores the need for a deeper understanding of pathophysiology of both disease states, how to optimally utilize specific therapeutic options to achieve synergistic outcomes, suggest simplified rational approaches to treatment selection, how to integrate care with other specialists when needed, and hopefully reach the ultimate goal of clinicians incorporating more personalized treatment selection through immunophenotype-guided therapy. This article , based primarily on emerging case reports and off-label data, reviews all the above implications when encountering a patient with both AD and AA. Continued research and real-world clinical evidence are needed in this important area that affects many individuals that clinicians encounter in their practice, including within the pediatric population.