How to Prevent Hair Loss From Lupus
According to the Lupus Foundation of America, about 45 percent of patients with lupus will experience hair loss at some point in the course of their disease. Lupus-related hair loss comes in many forms. Sometimes, hair is shed from all over the head. Sometimes, the hair loss is patchy. The lupus itself can cause hair loss, as can certain lupus treatments. Prevention of hair loss is more effective than is treating the loss once it has begun, but whatever stage you are in, you have options for coping with your lupus-related hair loss.
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Understand the types of hair loss. Shedding hair from all over the head is common at the onset of lupus. Patchy hair loss is usually associated with a lupus-related scalp rash, such as a discoid rash, that damages hair follicles. Prednisone and immunosuppressant drugs used to treat lupus can cause hair loss in some patients. Shedding hair loss usually stops when the disease is brought under control, and the hair usually grows back. Patchy hair loss associated with damaged hair follicles is permanent. Drug-related hair loss usually stops when you stop taking the medication.
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See your doctor. Although there is no single lupus treatment that works for everyone and trial and error is usually involved in getting lupus under control, managing the disease is critical to stopping any hair loss you are already experiencing and to preventing future hair loss. If you have a scalp rash, the sooner your doctor can treat the rash and prevent it from spreading, the less permanent hair loss you will face. If medication is causing your hair loss, your doctor can work with you to find another treatment option. Once your lupus is under control, shedding hair loss should stop, and your hair should grow back.
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Make good lifestyle choices. Living healthfully is important in managing your lupus and in preventing future flare-ups that could result in hair loss. The Mayo Clinic recommends getting plenty of rest, exercising for 30 minutes a day and eating a diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. It also recommends using a sunscreen every day and staying out of the sun as much as possible because ultraviolet light has been linked to triggering lupus flares.
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Tips & Warnings
If your hair loss is severe, ask your doctor to refer you to a dermatologist, who can help you explore other treatment options.
Even if you think your medication is causing your hair loss, never discontinue any treatment without talking to your doctor.
