Over half of lupus patients experience lupus hair loss (alopecia). Often the thinning hair is reversible if treated in its early stages.

When a patient has an acute flare of lupus, the hair does not grow during that time. Because we all lose hundreds of hairs a day, if they are not replaced with new growth, thinning and all over hair loss results. Hair also grows abnormally during severe flares, resulting in fragile, breakable hair. Another cause of hair loss in lupus discoid lesions that appear on the scalp.

This lupus hair loss is often permanent if it is not treated quickly, because the discoid lesions cause damage to the hair follicles. In addition, infections and medications, such as corticosteroids used to treat the disease can cause lupus hair loss.

To reduce the amount of lupus hair loss, it is important to inform your doctor of any thinning or hair loss. Not only will your doctor be able to treat the hair loss in lupus before it becomes permanent, but generalized hair loss in lupus is a sign that the disease is in its active phase (a flare). Further lupus blood test, observation and treatment may be necessary.

Other measures that you can do to cope with hair loss in lupus are to avoid the use of hair colors, perms, curling irons, and hot rollers. You can also keep hair shorter so that less weight and stress is being put on the fragile hair root.

Hair loss in lupus can also be reduced by using rounded, rubber tip brushes and combs with wide teeth, as well as combing hair by holding the hair while gently combing the tangles out from the bottom to the top. Using a mild shampoo (baby shampoo) and conditioner as well as being careful when handling wet hair may also help reduce hair loss in lupus. If possible, let hair dry naturally; otherwise, use the lowest setting on the hair dryer.

Pulling hair tightly into a ponytail or a bun or using clips and barrettes may increase hair loss in lupus. Tell your hair dresser that you have lupus and are experiencing hair loss. She may be able to recommend products or styles that will help reduce the amount of hair loss.

The biggest problem with lupus hair loss is that for women (and even men), one of the first things people notice is hair. Women spend hundreds of dollars on hair products, hair styling, hair cuts, dyes, shampoo and perms. When hair starts falling out or becoming thin, this is very distressing. Of the lupus signs and symptoms, hair loss can be quite emotionally distressing.

If you have thinning hair, and are depressed or very down about it, it may help to talk to others who are experiencing hair loss. Remember, stress may cause further hair loss in lupus; therefore, keeping a positive attitude, experimenting with fun styles of hats or wigs and having a sense of humor will help.

The positive thing about lupus hair loss and thinning hair is that it can be treated and when the disease goes into remission, hair growth will return to normal. If a medication is causing the thinning hair loss, once the medication is discontinued, the growth often will return as well.

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