Living with Alopecia antibody deficiency
A rare immune condition with complete scalp hair loss and low antibodies, leading to repeated infections.
Understanding Alopecia antibody deficiency
It links alopecia areata totalis (complete loss of scalp hair) with antibody deficiency, which means the body makes few or no antibodies. This leads to repeated infections. It starts in infancy or childhood.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Repeated respiratory infections
- Weak immune function
- Sparse hair
- Sparse body hair
- Missing or thin eyebrows
- Abnormal eyelashes
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include allergy and immune system specialists, genetic specialists and skin, hair, and nail specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Immune Deficiency Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Allergy and immune system specialists (allergists / immunologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists); Skin, hair, and nail specialists (dermatologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Immune Deficiency Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Immune Deficiency Foundation and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD doesn't describe a cause for this condition yet.
Also known as: ipp gelfand syndrome; ipp-gelfand syndrome
Patient organizations
- Immune Deficiency FoundationPrimary immunodeficiency · United States
- Children's Skin Disease FoundationSkin diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Alopecia antibody deficiency.
Explore research for Alopecia antibody deficiency
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- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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