August is known as the Hair Loss Awareness Month and the first Saturday of this month is known as the International Alopecia Day.

Hair loss is a common concern, affecting over 85% of men, 55% of women, and between 15–38% of adolescents at some point in their lives. For those with advanced or long-lasting alopecia, the emotional and social impact can be profound.

Baldness has been linked to significant declines in mental health and quality of life, with higher rates of anxiety, depression, stress, and reduced self-esteem.

What Is Alopecia?

It is a term used for hair loss that affects the scalp or even the entire body, temporarily or permanently. Alopecia can happen due to variety of reasons, including heredity, hormonal changes, and medical conditions, or as simple as normal aging.

Aim of Alopecia Day

The day aims to form a community of those who experience this autoimmune disease.

Origin of International Alopecia Day

International Alopecia Day was initiated by American activist Lynn W. Walker in 2011. She herself lives with a diagnosis of alopecia totalis and created this day to unite people with similar experiences, reduce stigma, and highlight beauty and strength regardless of the presence of hair.

Theme of Alopecia Day 2025

This year's theme as per Alopecia UK is, 'Strength in Numbers', which urges more and more people to join the International Alopecia community and to do away with the shame of hair loss and form a support group, across the world.

Alopecia And Its Kinds

As per the National Library of Medicines, US, alopecia refers to the loss or absence of hair in areas where it normally grows. It can be localized or widespread, temporary or permanent, and affects people of all ages and genders. As a symptom with diverse underlying causes, alopecia is generally categorized into two main types: nonscarring (the most common) and scarring (cicatricial).

For many patients, hair loss leads to significant emotional distress and a reduced quality of life. Accurate diagnosis requires a thorough history, physical examination, and targeted investigations to identify the root cause and guide effective treatment. Managing alopecia can be challenging, but this overview outlines key assessment and treatment approaches for the most common forms to support better outcomes.

Forms of alopecia

There are several main types of alopecia, including:

alopecia areata: an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss, often in small, round patches on the scalp, but it can occur anywhere on the body

alopecia totalis: complete loss of scalp hair

alopecia universalis: hair loss over the entire body

androgenetic alopecia: hereditary baldness

Ways You Can Participate In International Alopecia Day

• Learn and share knowledge about alopecia
• Participate in activities for Alopecia Day
• Embrace the symbol by wearing blue
• Share you story to build a support group
• If you are a doctor, you can also advocate for the right alopecia treatment
• Contribute financially to alopecia research and awareness groups
• Volunteer to help spread alopecia awareness
• Raise voice against bullying, as many people are bullied due to their hair loss

GPs in England are being urged to adopt a “Jess’s Rule”, an initiative that urges doctors to rethink their treatment if, even after three patient appointments, the patient is still experiencing the same undiagnosed symptoms. This new initiative, called Jess's Rule, is being rolled out across the NHS to help prevent avoidable deaths by catching serious illnesses earlier, especially in young people. The rule is not a law, but a strong directive designed to make a more thorough diagnostic process standard practice nationwide.

Who Is Jess from Jess’s Rule?

While this new rule may help many people, it is a direct result of the tragic story of Jessica Brady. At just 27, she passed away from advanced stage 4 cancer in 2020. Before her diagnosis, she had more than twenty appointments with her GP practice over five months, all while her symptoms were getting progressively worse. Despite her persistence, her condition was repeatedly misdiagnosed or dismissed.

Ultimately, her family had to seek private care, and only then was she diagnosed with a type of cancer so advanced that no treatment was possible. She died just three weeks after her diagnosis. Jessica's story highlights the critical need for a system that ensures a patient's concerns are taken seriously, especially when initial treatments or diagnoses aren't working.

Who Is At Risk For Less Cancer Diagnoses?

A big aspect of Jess's Rule is its focus on reducing health inequalities. Studies have shown that younger patients and those from minority backgrounds often face delays in getting a proper diagnosis. One of the reasons given was that their symptoms might not fit the typical patterns seen in older or white patients, which then leads to their concerns being dismissed.

According to Gov.UK, a report found that half of all 16 to 24-year-olds with cancer needed three or more appointments to get a diagnosis. Jess's Rule is made to combat this problem by focusing on the fact that a patient's age or background should not be a reason to overlook a potential serious illness.

The NHS hopes that this rule, which is urged to be followed across the nation, will help ensure everyone receives the same high standard of care. This initiative is a tribute to Jessica's legacy and her family's tireless efforts to prevent other families from enduring similar grief.

How Does Jess’s Rule Work?

Jess's Rule isn't a strict law, but it's a guide for medical professionals. When a patient's symptoms don't improve after three appointments, the rule suggests that the GP should take further action. This step might include moving from phone consultations to a face-to-face appointment, conducting a more in-depth physical examination, or ordering additional tests.

It also encourages doctors to review the patient's records carefully, consult with a colleague for a second opinion, or refer the patient to a specialist. The aim is to formalize what many good doctors already do: if something isn't right, don't give up.

According to Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting, Jessica's death was a "preventable and unnecessary tragedy," and Jess's Rule will ensure that every patient receives "thorough, compassionate, and safe care." The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and NHS England.

US President Donald Trump held a press conference to announce the connection between the use of Tylenol, a popular pain and fever relief medicine during pregnancy and autism. Trump in the press conference also suggested Leucovorin, as a potential treatment for autism symptom.

Read: Tylenol And Autism: Trump Announces Link Between The Two, Science Does Not Back Him

What Is Leucovorin?

It is known as folinic acid, a form of folate, also an essential B vitamin or B9, which has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for counteracting the toxic effects of certain cancer drugs. It can counteract methotrexate that blocks body's use of folate.

The drug is also used to enhance the effects of chemotherapy drugs and to treat specific types of anemia.

How Is Leucovorin Administered? Who Makes Leucovorin?

The drug can be administered orally or intravenously. While it is manufactured by dozens of companies, notes US FDA, on Monday itself, FDA published a notice to the Federal Register ahead of Trump's press conference to approve a version of Leucovorin manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline or GSK.

GSK had previously withdrawn from FDA's consideration when it stopped making the drug. However, as per the FDA notice, "The FDA is working with GSK, the innovator of Wellcovorin (leucovorin calcium), on a process to include the essential scientific information needed for the safe and effective use of these drug products for adults and pediatric patients with CFD (cerebral folate deficiency)."

Is Leucovorin Effective For Autism?

As per the FDA notice, leucovorin calcium, branded as Wellcovorin by GSK is sent for approval for patients with cerebral folate deficiency, which is a neurological condition that affects folate, an essential vitamin for brain health, transport into the brain.

The FDA notice mentions that individuals with CFD have been "observed to have developmental delays with autistic features".

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MF, MPH said that in over two decades, the US has "witnessed a tragic four-fold increase in autism". He further noted: "Children are suffering and deserve access to potential treatments that have shown promise. We are using gold standard science and common sense to deliver for the American people.”

George Tidmarsh, MD, PhD, Director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research said that FDA is collaborating with GSK to broaden the existing Wellcovorin label and is committed to "finding and treating the root causes of autism".

Read: Trump's Claim On Linking Tylenol And Autism Is Unscientific, According To Doctors

Why Leucovorin Is Considered To Treat Autism?

Doctors have been using leucovorin off-label for autism, repurposing the drug beyond its original approval, reported Reuters.

Research from SUNY Downstate Medical Center and others suggests that as many as three-quarters of children with autism may have genetic variations or autoimmune issues that interfere with folate processing in the brain.

Smaller studies have linked these problems to more severe autism symptoms and found that leucovorin treatment may help improve speech, social interaction, and irritability. Still, the Autism Science Foundation cautions that the research is in its early stages, and more evidence is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.

Read: Trump Suggests Changes In Childhood Vaccines, Says It Is Based On What He Feels

A 2016 study published in Molecular Psychiatry, which was a randomized controlled trial suggested that this specialized form of folate can improve communication and language skills in some children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

A June 2020 study published in the Seminars in Pediatric Neurology suggests folate (vitamin B9) plays a vital role in brain development and function, helping with DNA synthesis, methylation, and neurotransmitter production. Some children with autism struggle with folate metabolism, particularly in transporting folate into the brain, a condition known as cerebral folate deficiency.

Another 2020 study published in October in Seminars in Pediatric Neurology suggests that in many cases, the immune system produces antibodies that target the folate receptor alpha (FRα) on brain cells. These folate receptor autoantibodies (FRAA) block folate entry into the brain, resulting in low brain folate levels even when blood levels are normal. While only about 5–10% of the general population carries these antibodies, research suggests that 50–70% of children with autism may have them. This disruption is thought to significantly affect speech and cognitive development.

However, Dr. David Mandell, a professor of psychiatry and autism expert at the University of Pennsylvania, told Reuters that leucovorin might well be a possible treatment for some children with autism, "but the evidence we have supporting it... is really, really weak."

The Monday announcement by President Trump on Tylenol and its link with autism has sparked a debate among the medical field. Experts have claimed that the link suggested is unfound in science. Australia's peak body for obstetricians and gynaecologists now fear that pregnant women will not take paracetamol when they need it and suffer harm from unmanaged fever.

Trump suggested that women should "fight like hell" and not take paracetamol, which is branded as Tylenol in the US, as it heightens the risk of autism when it is used by pregnant women. He further said that if women continue to take the medicine, "that would mean you can't tough it out, so that's up to you and your doctor. I just want to say it is like it is: don't take Tylenol. Don't take it. Fight like hell not to take it."

However, as far as science and facts are concerned, the pain medicine is widely considered a safe option to treat pain and fever even during pregnancy.

As a result of this, Australia's medicine regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), re-confirmed the safety of this drug use during pregnancy.

Also Read: Tylenol And Autism: Trump Announces Link Between The Two, Science Does Not Back Him

What Is The Australian Medical Body Saying About Tylenol Use?

The Royal Australian and New Zeeland College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) warned that Trump’s comments could lead pregnant women to avoid paracetamol and suffer harm from unmanaged fever.

Dr Elisha Broom, a counsellor and spokesperson for RANZCOG, as reported by Guardian said, evidence supports the safety of paracetamol in pregnancy when used correctly. Broom further noted that unmanaged fever is a known risk to pregnancy, unlike paracetamol.

“It’s not a no-harm scenario when women are fearful to take what we know are safe medications,” said Broom.

Broom is a maternal fetal medicine sub-specialist in Queensland and said that many obstetricians are expecting questions from their patients after Trump's announcement and would welcome them.

Read: What Is Leucovorin - The Drug Trump Suggests As A Treatment For Autism?

Is There A Link Between Fever Medicines And Babies?

Broom said, "We know that actually there is a link between fever and impacts on babies – not neurodivergence – but complications in pregnancies that result from unmanaged fever."

She further noted that "It is not a no-harm scenario where women are fearful to take what we know are safe over-the-counter medications to relieve pain and fever in pregnancy."

The reason why this announcement could harm women more than protecting them is because medicines like Nurofen or ibuprofen is already not recommended because it does not have the same safety profile, suggests Broom. Thus, this leaves women without any options but to cope with pain and unmanaged fever.

The TGA also noted that "paracetamol remains Pregnancy Category A in Australia, meaning that it is considered safe for use in pregnancy”.

It said: “The TGA maintains robust post-market safety surveillance and pharmacovigilance processes for all medicines registered in Australia, including paracetamol.”

Read: Trump Suggests Changes In Childhood Vaccines, Says It Is Based On What He Feels

What Do Other Medical Boards Say About This Announcement?

Australian Medical Association (AMA) president, Danielle McMullen stressed that studies showing a “possible association” between paracetamol and autism do not prove causation. She said autism is far more likely to be driven by genetic factors.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) also called Trump's announcement "irresponsible" and "highly unsettling". They emphasized acetaminophen (Tylenol) remains the safest painkiller during pregnancy.