Shop E Store There are many autoimmune diseases that cause hair loss. Learn effective treatments to reduce hair loss and promote hair growth.
Hair, commonly considered the crown of beauty, can enhance courage and self-expression. However, for many people hair loss, usually caused by an underlying medical concern, can be an exhausting experience. Among these, autoimmune diseases play an important role. These conditions occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks tissues such as hair follicles. Autoimmune diseases can be caused by genetic and environmental factors. Understanding these conditions can help you avoid challenges associated with autoimmune diseases that cause hair loss.
What is an autoimmune disease?
Autoimmune diseases develop when the body’s immune system, designed to fight foreign invaders, mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. As a study published in the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found, this mistaken attack can cause inflammation, damage, and dysfunction in a variety of organs and systems. The specific cause of autoimmune diseases is unknown, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. These diseases can affect people of all ages and genders, and symptoms vary widely depending on the disease and organ affected. Additionally, autoimmune diseases that cause hair loss include a variety of diseases that cause inflammation and damage to the hair, inhibiting its growth.
Why autoimmune diseases cause hair loss
Some autoimmune diseases cause hair loss. Here’s why this happens:
1. Misdirecting the immune attack
Normally, our immune system acts as an active defender, protecting us from harmful invaders such as bacteria and viruses. However, in autoimmune diseases, this powerful defense system fails. Instead of perceiving body tissues as friendly, we mistakenly perceive them as external threats, as found in a study published in the journal Informed Health. This misidentification leads to targeted attacks on the body’s cells, including hair follicles. In the case of hair loss, the immune system recognizes the hair follicle as an invader and triggers an inflammatory response. This inflammatory response damages hair follicles, disrupts normal growth cycles, and ultimately leads to hair loss.
2. Inflammation
When the immune system recognizes the hair follicle as an enemy, it launches an all-out attack. This attack involves the release of inflammatory substances such as cytokines and other immune cells into the area of the hair follicle. This inflammatory response is a natural defense mechanism, but in this case it is directed against the body’s tissues. As found in a study published in the Journal of Inflammation Research, inflammation damages hair follicles, disrupting their normal growth cycle and weakening their structure. This damage can lead to hair thinning, hair breakage, and ultimately hair loss.
3. Damage to hair follicles
The inflammatory response caused by the immune system’s attack on hair follicles causes significant damage to these structures. Inflammation can cause destruction of hair follicles or impair their ability to produce new hair. “The normal hair growth cycle, which includes anagen, telogen, and effluvium, is disrupted. Hair follicles may enter a prolonged telogen phase or shed hair prematurely, resulting in hair loss. , says dermatologist Dr Seema Oberoi Lal. In some cases, the damage is so severe that the hair follicles can be permanently destroyed, leading to permanent hair loss.
Which autoimmune disease causes hair loss?
Here are some of the most common autoimmune diseases that cause hair loss.
1.Alopecia Areata
Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss by specifically targeting hair follicles. When the immune system malfunctions, it mistakenly identifies hair follicles as foreign invaders. As found in a study published by StatPearls, this causes an inflammatory response that leads to hair follicle damage and destruction. The inflammatory process disrupts the normal hair growth cycle, causing hair to fall out in patches. The affected area may be small or large, and hair loss may occur on the scalp, beard, eyebrows, or other parts of the body. It is important to note that although alopecia areata can be painful, it often resolves naturally or with proper treatment. In some cases, hair may regrow, but the texture and color may be different.
2. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease that affects multiple organs, including the skin and hair follicle tufts, causing hair loss. Inflammation is one of the most common reasons SLE causes hair loss, as found in a study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. The immune system targets the hair follicle and causes an inflammatory response that destroys the structure and interferes with the follicle’s natural growth cycle. This can cause your hair to become thinner, weaker, and fall out unevenly. Additionally, skin lesions, especially on the scalp, can damage the hair shaft and make it difficult for hair to grow back. In severe situations, it can lead to permanent hair loss or scarring alopecia.
3. Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE)
Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. Although it primarily affects the skin, it can also damage hair-bearing areas and cause hair loss, as found in a study published in the journal Lupus Science and Medicine. . When DLE affects the scalp, abnormal skin lesions known as discoid lesions may develop. These lesions are raised, scaly areas that can be red, pink, or purple in color. These lesions can leave scars and damage hair follicles over time. Scarring damages or destroys hair follicles, resulting in permanent hair loss in the affected area. The severity of hair loss in DLE depends on the size of the skin lesions and the extent of damage to the hair follicles. Depending on the situation, hair loss can be mild and temporary, or severe and permanent.
4. Thyroid disease
Thyroid hormones serve as essential regulators of a variety of bodily functions, including hair growth. When your thyroid gland malfunctions, producing too little (hypothyroidism) or too much (hyperthyroidism) thyroid hormones, the delicate balance of the hair growth cycle can be disrupted. In hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland is underactive, resulting in a deficiency of these important hormones. This hormonal imbalance can cause slow hair growth, thinning, and increased hair loss. Your hair may become dry, brittle, and look dull. Conversely, hyperthyroidism, which is characterized by overactivity of the thyroid gland, also disrupts the hair growth cycle. As found in a study published in the journal Cureus, excess thyroid hormone can promote hair growth, but it can also cause premature hair loss and result in hair thinning.
5. Hashimoto’s disease
It is a chronic autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid gland, causing hair loss and hypothyroidism. This hormonal imbalance can have a major impact on hair health. When the thyroid does not produce enough hormones, the normal hair growth cycle is disrupted. As a result, hair growth may slow, thinning hair, and increased hair loss. Your hair may become dry, brittle, and look dull. “Additionally, the inflammation associated with Hashimoto’s disease can also cause hair loss,” the expert says. The immune system’s attack on the thyroid can cause a systemic inflammatory response that can affect multiple organs and tissues, including hair follicles. This inflammation can damage hair follicles and reduce their ability to produce healthy hair.
6. Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. The exact mechanism by which rheumatoid arthritis causes hair loss is still under investigation, but multiple factors may be involved. “A possible cause is the persistent inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis, which can affect several organs and tissues, including hair follicles,” explains the expert. The inflammatory response damages the hair follicles, which can result in hair thinning, breakage, or fall out.
How can I treat autoimmune diseases that cause hair loss?
Treatment of autoimmune diseases that cause hair loss often requires a multifaceted approach. To address this problem, it is important to manage the underlying autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. This often involves a combination of medical treatment and lifestyle modifications. Medications such as immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, and biologics suppress an overactive immune system and reduce inflammation, thereby reducing attack on the hair follicles.
Additionally, adopting a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, regular exercise to increase blood circulation, and stress management techniques to reduce stress hormones, contributes to overall health. , may support hair health.
Note: It is important to consult your doctor to determine the best course of treatment for treating the autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. Although these treatments can help with hair loss and hair restoration, keep in mind that they may not work for everyone. Hair regrowth takes time, so patience and stamina are essential.
Related FAQ
How can I stop hair loss due to autoimmune disease?
Stopping hair loss due to autoimmune diseases requires a multifaceted approach. It is important to manage the underlying autoimmune condition through medications and lifestyle modifications. In some cases, more advanced treatments such as corticosteroid injections or phototherapy may be necessary.
How do I know if I have autoimmune alopecia?
If you notice sudden patchy hair loss on your scalp or other parts of your body, especially in circular patches, it could be a sign of an autoimmune disease such as alopecia areata. Other symptoms, such as skin rashes, joint pain, and thyroid dysfunction, may also indicate an underlying autoimmune disease. Consult your dermatologist or health care provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Can autoimmune alopecia grow back?
Yes, autoimmune alopecia often grows back, especially with proper treatment. However, the extent of regrowth and the time it takes depends on the specific autoimmune disease and severity of hair loss.
