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Published on: March 9, 2015
Hymenoptera Envenomation as a Potential Trigger for Acute Diffuse Alopecia Areata: A Case Report
Oumaima El Kohen1, Bianca Maria Piraccini2, Fatima-Zahra Hammoud3
1Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium.
Introduction:
Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune hair loss disorder often triggered by genetic and environmental factors. Acute, massive shedding is unusual and may indicate a potent immune trigger.
Case Presentation:
We report a 34-year-old woman with Hashimoto thyroiditis who developed rapid, diffuse AA 10 days after bee stings. Clinical examination showed marked hair loss (SALT score 30→70) affecting scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes. Laboratory workup revealed elevated IgE and venom-specific hypersensitivity. Treatment with corticosteroid pulses followed by oral methylprednisolone and methotrexate led to progressive hair regrowth.
Conclusion:
This case highlights hymenoptera envenomation as a rare trigger of acute AA, emphasizing the importance of environmental history and immune evaluation in sudden-onset autoimmune hair loss.
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