TLDR Stopping adalimumab and starting methotrexate with topical treatments improved the woman's scalp psoriasis and hair regrew.
In a case reported in 2019, a 37-year-old woman developed palmoplantar pustulosis and scalp psoriasis with severe alopecia after being treated with adalimumab for chronic plaque psoriasis for two months. Biopsies from her palmar and scalp lesions indicated psoriasiform changes. Following the discontinuation of adalimumab, the patient was treated with methotrexate (15 mg/weekly, subcutaneously) along with topical adjuvant agents. This treatment led to a dramatic improvement in her skin and scalp conditions, with complete hair regrowth observed within one month. The study suggests that for anti-TNF-α-induced scalp psoriasis, it is beneficial to suspend the anti-TNF-α agent and apply systemic and topical treatments to prevent scarring alopecia. The authors declare no potential conflict of interest.
19 citations,
November 2016 in “Dermatology and therapy” Stopping the medication infliximab and starting new treatments helped a woman's hair grow back and improved her scalp condition.
26 citations,
March 2014 in “Rheumatology” Some drugs used to treat inflammation may cause hair loss.
49 citations,
January 2012 in “Dermatology” Severe anti-TNF-α induced scalp eruptions often need stopping the drug and using systemic therapy to avoid scarring.
72 citations,
February 2011 in “The American Journal of Dermatopathology” Anti-TNF therapy can cause a unique type of hair loss that may get better with topical treatments without stopping the therapy.
278 citations,
March 2013 in “Gut” Anti-IL-12/IL-23 antibody therapy effectively treats psoriasiform skin lesions in IBD patients.
12 citations,
May 2020 in “Dermatology and therapy” A young woman had a rare skin reaction to a medication for her joint disease, and a combination therapy improved her condition.
November 2019 in “Harper's Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology” The document is a detailed medical reference on skin and genetic disorders.
19 citations,
November 2016 in “Dermatology and therapy” Stopping the medication infliximab and starting new treatments helped a woman's hair grow back and improved her scalp condition.
2 citations,
February 2018 in “InTech eBooks” TNF-alpha inhibitors can cause various immune-related skin issues.
