Magnesium content of the hair in alopecia areata atopica

The magnesium content of hair from alopecia areata atopica patients, from nonatopic dermatological patients and from normal controls has been studied using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The two groups of patients had lower means and ranges than did the normal subjects, but the overlap was considerable. It is suggested that the lower levels found in the patients may be due to the nonspecific 'metabolic cost' of the skin diseases.