Does lupus cause hair loss?
A. According to Daniel J Wallace, M.D. in The Lupus Book, “there are many reasons why lupus may lead to hair loss. First of all, active disease is associated with the plugging of hair follicles, which results in clumps of hair simply falling out after being combed or washed (called “lupus hair”). Patients with discoid lupus can experience mild, generalized hair loss, bald spots (alopecia areata), or even total baldness -— in the temples and on top of the head. Also, infections, chemotherapy, emotional stress, and hormonal imbalances are associated with hair loss. All told, about 30 percent of patients with SLE and DLE report significant hair loss.” “The treatment of alopecia depends on its cause. For example, discoid lesions respond to local scalp injections with steroid preparations. If these areas form thick scars, hair may not regrow. Tapering off steroid use eliminates the “balding” pattern. Antimalarials and corticosteroids promote hair growth. Minoxidil (Rogaine) solution is a bl
