Great question — and totally valid to wonder! Hair loss with lupus is so common it even has its own nickname: "lupus hair." It's one of the most reported symptoms among people with lupus, so aging may not be the only culprit here.
Lupus can affect hair in a few key ways:
- The immune system attacks healthy tissue, including Show Full Answer
Great question — and totally valid to wonder! Hair loss with lupus is so common it even has its own nickname: "lupus hair." It's one of the most reported symptoms among people with lupus, so aging may not be the only culprit here.
Lupus can affect hair in a few key ways:
- The immune system attacks healthy tissue, including skin and hair follicles, causing inflammation that leads to hair loss
- Discoid lupus can cause round sores (lesions) on the scalp, which may lead to scarring and permanent hair loss if untreated
- During a lupus flare, hair can become thin and brittle
- Hair loss can also affect eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair — not just the scalp It's also worth knowing that some medications used to treat lupus can cause hair loss as a side effect. A MyLupusTeam member shared that they weren't sure if their hair thinning was from lupus itself or their medications, since hair loss can be a side effect of several lupus treatments.
The good news? When lupus is well-controlled, hair loss often improves. Some treatment options include:
- Topical steroids (like clobetasol) to help hair regrow
- Steroid injections into the scalp
- Prescription DHEA (note: not recommended for men with lupus)
- Mycophenolate to help with skin-related symptoms In the meantime, being gentle with your hair can help reduce further loss:
- Use mild products like baby shampoo
- Avoid heat styling tools and harsh chemicals
- Skip tight hairstyles that pull on the scalp
- Protect your scalp from UV light with SPF 50+ sunscreen or a wide-brimmed hat
It's definitely worth bringing up the hair loss with your rheumatologist or dermatologist — they can run tests (like a scalp biopsy or blood work) to pinpoint the cause and find the best path forward for you. 😊
July 29
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