Hair loss is not an uncommon problem in today’s time. Almost everyone, including both men and women, are suffering from hair loss. The hair loss can be attributed to various factors. The scientific term used to describe hair loss is alopecia. As a result of increase in cases of hair loss, hair loss treatment has become quite common nowadays.
WHAT IS LUPUS?
Let us, first of all, understand what lupus is.
Lupus is a disease that happens when there is something wrong with the immune system of the body. It can damage any part of the body such as the skin, joints, and/or organs.
Lupus is a disease that has various symptoms. While other systems may be more pressurizing, hair fall is definitely not that painful but it is annoying in its own way. Due to lupus, 45% of the people suffer from alopecia. The hair loss caused by lupus is known as lupus hair.
TYPES OF HAIR LOSS
Lupus entails two types of hair loss with it. These are:
- Discoid lupus that results in scarring: this occurs due to lupus that causes skin diseases and results in loss of hair follicles.
- The other one does not result in scarring
The hair loss caused by lupus can be restricted only to the scalp or can also affect other areas such as eyebrows, eyelashes and body hair. While there may thinning of hair loss in some people, others may encounter loss of patches of hair.
Hair loss can be caused by medicines that are used for the treatment of lupus. These medicines are prednisone and immunosuppressives.
REASONS FOR HAIR LOSS DUE TO LUPUS
Although hair loss is common in people but when people are affected with lupus they may also face hair loss. Similarly, hair loss can be caused due to medicines for the treatment of lupus.
DIAGNOSING HAIR LOSS CAUSED BY LUPUS
Hair fall is a common issue faced by people and it can be misjudged with lupus. However, not hair fall is associated with lupus. The rheumatologist on proper examination of the causes, family history and background, medical history and the background is able to distinguish whether the hair fall has any concern with lupus or not. Sometimes, a biopsy of the scalp may be suggested to diagnose the cause of hair loss.
REGAIN OF HAIR LOSS BY LUPUS
Hair loss caused by lupus is generally reversible provided it is treated with proper medication. It can also be controlled if the medicine for treatment of lupus is discontinued. However, the discoid lupus that results in scarring of hair may result in permanent hair loss and there is no tendency to regaining of hair.
All in all, hair loss caused by lupus is difficult to detect and once it is detected, it is best cured with reciprocating lupus.
