Lupus and Hair Loss

A diagnosis of lupus will bring many physical changes to the body such as rashes inn the skin, weight gain, and even hair loss. Lupus and hair loss tend to go hand in hand and for many people this is devastating.

Hair loss is typically the most devastating symptom of lupus that people have to deal with. Hair loss and lupus is something that affects over half of the people who are diagnosed with lupus. Many people see this as major quality of life devastation but there is no need to allow lupus and hair loss to cause you emotional pain.

It is widely known that hair loss is devastating to most people but there are ways to deal with it that can take away some of the devastation. Lupus and hair loss is something that can be expected because many of the medications used to treat lupus cause hair loss. Often they will also cause lesions on the scalp or a rash that spreads over the entire body. Sometimes these lesions will leave scarring and if the scarring is on the scalp you may suffer from permanent hair loss due to follicle damage.

If you discover that you have lupus it is important that you get treatment very quickly. If the medications can bring the disease under control without the lesions and scar tissue then you have a good chance of growing back the hair you lost. Once the lesions are allowed to continue, the chances of regrowing hair decreases dramatically.

It is entirely possible that you can take the medications to get your lupus under control and then you may be able to discontinue them. If this is the case then your hair loss and lupus may be a temporary condition. Many people grow their hair back after they discontinue the medication.

If you are concerned about your lupus and hair loss you should have a straight forward discussion with your doctor. Let him know exactly how you feel. He may be able to give you some guidance that will help you get through the hair loss crisis. He should be able to explain to you how the medications can help boost your immune system so that eventually you will be able to get off them. He may also be able to give you some advice about how to minimize the effect of the hair loss.

Most hair loss takes place when lupus is active. Getting the disease under control is vital to your good health. Hair will begin to grow after the immune system reaches a more normal level.