It was in 2014 when singer-actor Selena Gomez was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in different parts of the body. In 2017, the founder and owner of Rare Beauty revealed that she underwent a kidney transplant due to the disease. It took some time for people to connect the dots and understand that lupus is not a single ailment but comprises a wide range of symptoms and manifestations. Just like how the disease impacted Gomez’ kidney, it can also affect other parts of the body, such as your hair health.
Speaking with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Monica Chahar, Chief Dermatologist and Director-Skin Decor, Dwarka, New Delhi, discussed lupus-related hair problems in detail and shared ways to manage the condition.
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What Is Lupus?
“Lupus, scientifically termed Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, resulting in inflammation and damage across various organs and systems,” explained Dr Chahar, adding, “While lupus can affect any part of the body, it often targets the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, and blood cells.”
According to the Lupus Foundation of America, at least 50 lakh people worldwide have some form of lupus, and around 10.5 lakh are Americans. Of the population affected by the condition, 9 in 10 people with lupus are women.
Besides gender, genetics is a common risk factor for lupus, meaning a family history of lupus can increase susceptibility to the disease. Moreover, environmental triggers and exposure to certain medications or infections can make people more susceptible to the development of lupus.
How Lupus Affects Hair Health
Lupus can affect hair health. One of the most common manifestations is alopecia, a type of hair loss where individuals may experience thinning or loss of hair, often in patches. In some cases, hair loss may be temporary, but it can also become permanent for certain individuals. Most lupus-related hair loss is non-scarring, which is hair loss that occurs without permanent damage to the hair follicles.
Why does lupus lead to hair loss? Dr Chahar shared a few explanations listed below:
Inflammation:
Non-scarring hair loss arises when lupus causes inflammation around the scalp and hair follicles. This type of inflammation impacts not only scalp hair but also eyebrows, beards, and eyelashes.
Discoid sores/lesions:
These types of sores or lesions commonly occur on the scalp and face and usually do not hurt or itch. However, they can form anywhere on the body, potentially causing permanent scarring. When these lesions appear on the scalp, they damage hair follicles, resulting in permanent hair loss.
Medication:
Certain medications used in lupus treatment, like steroids and immunosuppressants, can contribute to hair thinning.
According to a review published in the Journal Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, hair loss has been observed in up to 85% of SLE patients. The research further notes that non-scarring alopecia has been included as a criterion for the diagnosis of SLE according to the latest Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) classification criteria.
Identifying Lupus Hair Loss
Dr Chahar said, “Hair loss is not universal among lupus patients, but when it occurs, there's an uptick in hair shedding.”
While losing up to 100 hairs daily is normal, lupus patients may experience more shedding depending on the illness's severity, she shared, adding, “Hair loss may manifest during washing or brushing, ranging from minor thinning to clumps of hair loss. The degree varies, with some losing between 55% and 100% of their hair.”
Also Read: More Than 50% People With Autoimmune Disease Experience Depression And Anxiety: Study
Can Lupus Hair Loss Be Treated?
Whether or not your hair will grow back depends on whether you have scarring on your scalp from lupus skin problems, according to the Lupus Foundation of America. If you do have scarring, it may be difficult to treat it. However, getting treatment can protect the hair you still have, the charity shared.
To manage lupus symptoms and potentially reverse hair loss, here are some strategies to follow:
Disease control: Dr Chahar recommended taking corticosteroids and immunosuppressants to aid in symptom management and inflammation control. Additionally, antimalarial drugs may be prescribed to reduce lupus flares, she said. However, it is important to consult your healthcare provider before opting any new treatment.
Avoid triggers: Sun exposure can exacerbate lupus symptoms, including hair loss, which is why you must protect your scalp by wearing hats or using sunscreen.
In addition, follow these do’s and don’ts to manage your symptoms:
Do’s
- Seek professional advice for hair loss
- Consistently adhere to prescribed medications and lifestyle modifications
- Shield the scalp from sun exposure and harsh chemicals
Don’ts
- Do not stress
- Avoid using hairdryers, curling irons and straighteners
Conclusion
Hair loss can be a common occurrence for people suffering from lupus. The autoimmune condition leads to inflammation of the scalp, leading to hair thinning and, subsequently, hair loss. The key is to diagnose the condition early and to receive timely treatment. Remember, the hair loss associated with lupus can be reversed if there is no scarring on your scalp yet. Speak with your doctor to know the best way to approach it.
