Alcohol's Impact on Alopecia Areata: Harmful or Protective?
Skin ConditionsAlopecia

What's the Effect of Drinking Alcohol on Alopecia Areata?

What's the Effect of Drinking Alcohol on Alopecia Areata?
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Published on November 7, 2025
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Alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition, directs your immune system to attack hair follicles, causing patchy hair loss, sometimes leading to complete loss of hair on the head or body.

 About 2 percent of the population develop alopecia areata, which typically appears between ages 10 and 25.

No one knows exactly what causes alopecia areata, but some experts believe psychological stress and environmental factors like infections, toxins, and diet may play a part.

 Some research suggests alcohol may promote hair loss in general, but studies specific to alopecia areata and alcohol have conflicting results.

How Does Alcohol Contribute to Hair Loss?

Earlier studies demonstrated a strong connection between alcohol and hair loss, but a large review suggests the link may not be as solid as once thought.

“Most hair loss is not related to alcohol consumption,” says Kimberly Salkey, MD, an associate professor at the School of Medicine Dermatology at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.

But alcohol can contribute to hair loss when your drinking makes you neglect taking in enough nutrients, says Dr. Salkey. “Nutritional deficiencies can be associated with hair loss because the body lacks the vital building blocks required for hair production.”

Even moderate alcohol consumption can cause these deficiencies, because alcohol limits the ability to absorb vital nutrients, like vitamin B1 (thiamine) and other B vitamins, says Salkey.

Besides its effect on nutrition, alcohol can worsen potential triggers for alopecia areata, like inflammation, says Anya Bandt, MD, a dermatologist in private practice in San Francisco.

Could Alcohol Be Protective in Alopecia Areata?

Although some research shows alcohol can worsen hair loss, other studies have found that alcohol may have a protective effect against alopecia areata.

 For example, in one study of over 60,000 people, social and regular drinkers had a significantly lower risk of developing alopecia areata than those who never drank alcohol.

But Dr. Bandt urges caution. “While a few studies suggest moderate alcohol intake might have mild immune-modulating effects, the evidence is far from consistent,” says Bandt, who believes differences in lifestyle, genetics, and drinking patterns likely explain these mixed results. “In excess, [alcohol] can do more harm than good.”

Salkey agrees, adding that while some research suggests a protective effect, the reality is more complicated, and more studies are needed to prove the connection.

Could Alcohol Be Harmful for Those With Alopecia Areata?

Further underlining research inconsistencies, one study found that the increase in cytokines (proteins that trigger an immune response) caused by alcohol consumption could worsen conditions provoked by immune system malfunction, like psoriasis and alopecia areata.

Additionally, these experts suggest that drinking alcohol can unbalance stress hormones like cortisol, which may also play a role in alopecia areata.

“This is further evidence that the development of alopecia areata is complex and not fully understood,” says Salkey.

Alopecia Areata and Alcohol Use Disorder

Alopecia areata can cause significant emotional distress, and people with this condition may have a higher risk of developing alcohol use disorder.

 When you have alcohol use disorder (AUD), you can’t stop drinking, even if it causes problems in your life.
AUD affects millions of Americans and includes conditions some call alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, or alcoholism.

 In one study of 376 people with alopecia areata, 67 percent reported excessive alcohol consumption.

 Another study of 4,785 people also found an increased risk of AUD with this condition.

AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe, and providers typically ask certain questions to determine if someone has this disorder, for example:

In the past year, have you:

  • Ended up drinking more, or longer, than you intended?
  • Wanted to cut down on or stop drinking (or tried to) more than once?
  • Spent a lot of time drinking, or feeling sick after drinking?
  • Wanted a drink so badly that you couldn’t think of anything else?
  • Noticed that drinking (or its aftereffects) interfered with your daily responsibilities? (family, school, or work?)
  • Continued to drink even though it caused problems with family or friends?
  • Given up on or avoided important, interesting, or fun activities so you could drink?
  • More than once engaged in risky behavior after drinking?
  • Kept on drinking even though it made you feel depressed or anxious?
  • Continued drinking after an alcohol-related memory blackout?
  • Found that your usual number of drinks had much less effect than before?
  • Felt withdrawal symptoms as the alcohol effects worse off, like trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, or a racing heart?
If you answered yes to a question or two above, you are not alone. No matter how many apply to you, a wide range of effective treatments can offer support. If desired, behavioral therapies, support groups, and even some medications can help you cut back on alcohol and reach your goals.

Your healthcare provider can offer ‌recommendations, and you can also find support from these groups:

Safe Alcohol Consumption for Alopecia Areata

While skipping alcohol altogether may offer the most protection, not everyone wants to eliminate their favorite beverages.

 So how can you drink safely with alopecia areata?
“This is a case for the age-old adage: everything in moderation,” says Salkey. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend drinking no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks for men to reduce risks.

One standard drink is defined as any of these:

  • 12 ounces of regular beer
  • 5 ounces of wine
  • 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits

“For people with alopecia areata who drink, I recommend moderation and balance,” says Bandt, who recommends having no more than one drink a day, staying hydrated, and eating nutrient-rich foods.

The Takeaway

  • According to research, alcohol may worsen hair loss in alopecia areata, but other studies claim a protective effect.
  • More research is needed to fully understand how alcohol affects alopecia areata, so it’s best to drink in moderation.
  • If you want support to cut back on drinking, you can ask your healthcare provider for their recommendations and seek out one of the many organizations that exist to help people on their journey away from alcohol.

Resources We Trust

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Hoss E et al. Alopecia Areata. MedlinePlus. 2024.
  2. Minokawa Y et al. Lifestyle Factors Involved in the Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022.
  3. Yang WJ et al. Exploring the Association Between Alcohol Consumption and Androgenic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Alcohol and Alcoholism. 2024.
  4. Dai YX et al. Cigarette Smoking, Alcohol Consumption, and Risk of Alopecia Areata: A Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 2020.
  5. Butts M et al. The Influence of Alcohol Consumption on Intestinal Nutrient Absorption: A Comprehensive Review. Nutrients. 2023.
  6. Abarca YA et al. Alopecia Areata: Understanding the Pathophysiology and Advancements in Treatment Modalities. Cureus. 2025.
  7. Curtis KL et al. Alopecia Areata Is Associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol Use in a Case-Control Study of 4,785 Patients. Skin Appendage Disorders. 2024.
  8. Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. January 2025.
  9. Clemmesen MER et al. Psychosocial and Mental Impact of Alopecia Areata: Analysis of the Danish Skin Cohort. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2025.
  10. Litten RZ et al. The Basics: Defining How Much Alcohol is Too Much. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. 2025.
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Oyetewa Asempa, MD, FAAD

Medical Reviewer

Dr. Oyetewa Asempa is an assistant professor of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine, and the director of the Skin of Color Clinic for Baylor's department of dermatology. She was born and raised in Atlanta and then went on to graduate summa cum laude from Howard University in Washington, DC.

She completed her medical training at University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, during which time she also completed a year of research at the National Institutes of Health. She completed her internship at George Washington University, and then her residency training at the Harvard dermatology program, where she served as chief resident in her final year.

She specializes in hair loss and scalp disorders, as well as pigmentary disorders in patients of color. She has spoken at multiple national conferences. Outside of medicine, she enjoys writing short stories, as well as writing and performing spoken word poetry.

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Abby McCoy is an experienced registered nurse who has worked with adults and pediatric patients encompassing trauma, orthopedics, home care, transplant, and case management. She is a married mother of four and loves the circus — that is her home! She has family all over the world, and loves to travel as much as possible.

McCoy has written for publications like Remedy Health Media, Sleepopolis, and Expectful. She is passionate about health education and loves using her experience and knowledge in her writing.

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