Medical researchers have identified the immune cell responsible for disfiguring hair loss in people with a common auto-immune disease, alopecia areata, a condition that can have a significant psychological impact on many patients.

The same group has also identified potential treatments based on drugs that have already been approved for other conditions.

"This offers hope for the tens of thousands of Australian children and adults affected by this auto-immune disease": Rod Sinclair. Credit:Craig Sillitoe

Melbourne dermatologist Rod Sinclair, who was not involved in the study, said the research was ‘‘extremely exciting’’ because it had unravelled the cause of an extremely complex disease and identified a potential treatment.

‘‘This offers hope for the tens of thousands of Australian children and adults affected by this auto-immune disease,’’ said Professor Sinclair, who is the director of dermatology at Epworth Hospital and holds an honourary position at the University of Melbourne.