Hair Loss and Lupus  

Lupus causes a number of changes throughout the human body; one of those changes is hair loss. The loss of hair may be a side effect of lupus or be due to the medications used for treatment.

Hair may or may not grow back, depending on a number of factors. Hair loss resulting from medication is usually reversible, for example, and your hair will grow back once you get your lupus under control and are able to stop whatever treatment caused you to lose your hair.

Scarring is another factor. Lupus may cause discoid lesions, which are red, scaly spots that appear on the skin. Discoid lesions do not hurt or itch, but they can cause hair loss and scarring. Hair loss from discoid lesions and scarring is often permanent, so you always want to seek treatment for these lesions as soon as they appear. The good news is that even widespread hair loss will grow back if scarring does not occur.

If you have lupus and are experiencing hair loss, speak with your doctor before trying Rogaine or other over-the-counter treatments, as these products are often for treating male- and female-pattern alopecia, which is a different condition altogether.

The most important way to control hair loss is to work with your doctor to keep your lupus under control. determine the underlying cause of your hair loss, and manage hair loss.