Partial Response of Alopecia Areata to Helicobacter Pylori Eradication and Treatment with Low-Dose Naltrexone

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease of unknown origin. It has been proposed that it is a multifactorial disease with genetic, immunological, infectious, circulatory, and psychogenic factors being involved in its etiopathogenesis. Its association with other autoimmune diseases is frequent. The infection of Helicobacter pylori has been linked to multiple immuno-mediated extradigestive conditions including alopecia areata. There is scientific evidence of the usefulness of naltrexone in low doses (an opioid antagonist) in autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease. We present the case of a patient with alopecia areata who partially responded to the eradication of H. pylori and initiation of treatment with naltrexone.