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Lupus hair loss is a symptom of lupus, an autoimmune disease. It affects about 50% of patients with lupus and causes thinning across the whole scalp. Identifying the symptoms of lupus early and getting the right treatment can not only slow down hair loss but also increase the chances of your hair growing back.
Lupus hair loss can result from immune cells attacking hair follicles, scalp inflammation, or even as a side effect of lupus medications. Lupus can cause both scarring and non-scarring alopecia, and it is always best to talk to your doctor about the best lupus hair loss treatment for you, as well as what to expect while experiencing this condition. Getting a better understanding of lupus hair loss can give you the best chance of keeping your hair healthy. Keep reading.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease wherein the immune system attacks healthy cells throughout the body, causing pain and inflammation. One of the symptoms of this condition is lupus hair loss, as the immune system can also attack hair follicles and make hair fall out. Lupus also has other symptoms like rashes on the face, muscle fatigue, and swelling in some parts of the body.
Let us dive in and get a better understanding of lupus and lupus hair loss, so you can give yourself the best chance at staying healthy.
How does lupus cause hair loss?
Lupus hair loss is caused by the immune system attacking hair follicles or the scalp, causing inflammation. Medications used to treat lupus can also cause hair loss. Let us break this down further: Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy cells all over the body. This can be a painful and difficult disease to deal with.
But lupus doesn’t stop there; more than half of lupus patients will also experience hair loss because the immune system attacks the cells needed for healthy hair growth.
Lupus is an incurable condition. But there are treatments that can manage the disease and keep it under control. Unfortunately, there are cases where these medications themselves can cause hair loss. It does seem like a double-edged sword, but there is always reason to remain hopeful. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and concerns so you can find the best lupus hair loss treatment.
Female lupus hair is a more common phenomenon than in men. As mentioned above, lupus is an autoimmune condition, and women are more prone to autoimmune disorders. As your immune system mistakenly attacks your hair follicles, it pushes the hair to the telogen (resting) stage, leading to telogen effluvium. Women are also at a higher risk of thyroid disorders and hormonal imbalances, both of which cause lupus hair loss.
What are the symptoms of lupus hair loss?
Understanding the symptoms of lupus hair loss can help you better identify the condition and, more importantly, identify it early. Lupus hair loss pattern has some obvious differences from other types of hair loss, which should help you tell it apart. Here are the lupus hair loss signs that will help you identify this condition:
- Widespread thinning of hair: While some conditions cause hair fall in patches across the scalp, lupus hair loss occurs all over the scalp and causes hair thinning. You start to notice that your hair isn’t as thick as it used to be, and might even notice strands coming out in your hand when you run your fingers through your hair. Your ponytail might feel thinner, and old hairstyles might not look the same due to the changes in your hair. Don’t ignore this sign. Keep reading to know what else to look out for with lupus hair loss.
- Hair falling in clumps: You might also start to notice your hair falling out in clumps when brushing or washing your hair. Eventually, you might start to notice bald areas over your scalp, or you could go completely bald. You may be scared and upset by these symptoms, but identifying them early and starting treatment as soon as possible can make a big difference in controlling them effectively.
- Changes in hair texture: Your hair, which was once lustrous and healthy, can start to look dull, weak and lifeless. Lupus hair texture can be brittle and break easily. This lupus hair loss pattern often occurs along the hairline on the forehead, and the hair may appear dry and unhealthy.
- Scarring alopecia: In some cases, the hair loss is accompanied by scarring on the scalp, which is caused by a lupus-induced rash. This rash is called discoid lesions, which can lead to permanent hair loss if not treated early.
- Hair loss on other parts of the body: Lupus affects healthy tissue throughout the body. So, it is not uncommon to experience hair loss on other parts of the body as well.
One way to determine whether your hair loss is due to lupus is to look for other lupus symptoms. These symptoms can include:
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Swellings in the joints, hands, feet, and even around the eyes
- Pain all over the body
- Chest pain when breathing deeply
- Sensitivity to sunlight
- A rash on the face that looks like a butterfly with its wings on either side of the nose, over the cheeks
- Mouth sores
- Numbness and discolouration in your fingers and toes in extreme cold weather
While these are some of the more common symptoms of lupus, you need to be aware that you may not experience all of them or your symptoms might change over time. However, if you experience sudden hair loss along with any of the other symptoms, you can suspect lupus hair loss. You should see your doctor as soon as possible for treatment for lupus hair loss.
How do you treat lupus hair loss?
Lupus hair loss treatment first starts with the correct diagnosis. Your doctor will ask you a few questions about your symptoms and do a physical examination. Make sure to talk to your doctor in detail about the symptoms you have been experiencing, when they started, how long a flare-up lasts and so on. Your doctor might also need you to do some tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Once you have been diagnosed with lupus, your doctor can make a treatment plan that works best for you. Because lupus is an autoimmune disease, it is generally treated with corticosteroids or immunosuppressants. Based on your unique symptoms, your doctor will prescribe the treatment you should receive. With lupus under control, the lupus hair fall should also stop.
Aside from the treatment your doctor prescribes, there are a few things you can do on your own to help regain your healthy hair.
Lupus hair loss treatment
Here are simple tips to help manage hair loss and care for your hair if you have lupus:
- Minoxidil: Topical minoxidil can help the hair grow back in cases of non-scarring hair loss.
- Staying out of the sun: Bright sunlight can trigger a lupus flare-up, which can result in hair loss. Wear a hat or apply sunscreen to your scalp when stepping out into the sun, and avoid direct exposure.
- Be gentle with your hair: Avoid vigorous brushing and harsh chemical or heat treatments. Use a soft brush and style your hair without pulling on your scalp. This can help to prevent further hair breakage.
- Use mild products: Your scalp may be extra sensitive during this time. It would be a good idea to use a mild sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner when washing your hair. Your doctor or dermatologist can recommend the best products for you. Also, remember to be gentle when washing your hair and massage your scalp lightly with your fingertips.
- Follow a balanced diet: Just eating healthy can help you feel better overall. But it can also give your hair the nutrient boost it needs for healthy growth. You can try a protein-rich diet combined with Traya’s hair supplement combo to help your hair regain its strength and texture.
- Supplementing iron: Lupus has been found to cause iron-deficiency anaemia, which in turn leads to hair loss. If you are anaemic because of lupus, your doctor will be able to prescribe an iron supplement to help you get your daily requirement.
- Adjust your medication: As mentioned above, the medication used to treat lupus can sometimes cause hair loss. Make sure to talk to your doctor if you notice your hair fall getting worse after you start treatment. A simple dosage adjustment or a new medication can prevent further hair loss.
- Get creative: The reality is that in some cases, especially in lupus hair loss that causes scarring, hair might not grow back. But this should not stop you from living your life to its fullest. Explore new styles with wigs, scarves and hats, or embrace your bald look and flaunt it like a fashion statement. Lupus gives you enough to worry about; it’s good to find joy wherever you can.
Lupus is not a piece of cake and can cause both physical and emotional distress. Not only should you get all the medical help you need, but also try to find a support group for your emotional well-being. Also, remember that symptoms like lupus hair loss are reversible, but you need to see your doctor and start treatment as early as possible. You can do this.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is lupus hair loss preventable?
Lupus hair loss is not always preventable. However, when the condition is detected early and treatment is started, the hair loss can be slowed down considerably. Early treatment is especially effective in a type of lupus called discoid lupus, which causes scarring alopecia. The treatment can help to get rid of the scarring and allow the hair to grow back normally.
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Is there a cure for lupus?
There is no cure for lupus. As with most autoimmune diseases, lupus can only be managed with treatment. Immunosuppressant drugs can prevent the immune system from attacking healthy cells in the body, but a flare-up can occur at any time when the medication is stopped. Both oral and topical steroid treatments can help to treat the inflammation, swelling and pain caused by lupus, but again, these symptoms can return at any time.
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Who gets lupus?
Anyone can get lupus, and it usually shows up between the ages of 15 and 45. However, people in their 50s can also get lupus for the first time at that age. Lupus can be hereditary, so you could be at a higher risk if a family member is also suffering from the condition.
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Why is lupus hair texture different?
Lupus causes the immune system to attack hair follicles. The hair follicles are responsible for supplying hair with nutrients for strong and healthy growth. When the follicles are damaged, they cannot perform their normal functions, resulting in hair looking dull, dry and brittle due to a lack of nutrients.
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Can lupus hair loss be permanent?
Yes, unfortunately, in some cases, lupus hair loss can be permanent. This is seen in discoid lupus erythematosus when it is not treated early. The condition causes scarring on the scalp that can permanently damage hair follicles. Damaged hair follicles can no longer support hair growth, so those areas will experience permanent hair loss. If your lupus is in remission and you haven’t had a flare-up in almost two years, you can ask your doctor if you could get hair implants. This will solely depend on your individual situation.
References:
- https://www.lupus.org/resources/common-symptoms-of-lupus
- https://www.lupus.org/resources/treating-lupus-guide
- https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/lupus-symptoms
- https://www.lupus.org/resources/hair-loss-and-lupus
- https://www.lupus.org/resources/dealing-with-lupusrelated-hair-loss
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30397497/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493145/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547740/#:~:text=The%20active%20phase%20of%20frontal,decalvans%2C%20and%20other%20inflammatory%20conditions.
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