TLDR Adalimumab can cause hair loss and scalp issues in some psoriasis patients.
A 50-year-old man with plaque psoriasis developed psoriasiform patches and alopecia on his scalp 10 months after starting adalimumab treatment. A biopsy showed psoriasiform epidermal changes and alopecia areata-like dermal changes, with a dermal inflammatory infiltrate of eosinophils and plasma cells. This case highlighted a rare side effect of anti-TNF therapy, where scalp psoriasiform lesions with alopecia were observed. The study suggested that while topical treatment might be effective, discontinuation of anti-TNF therapy should be considered in cases of severe scalp involvement.
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.
42 citations
,
March 2015 in “Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia” Anti-TNF therapy can cause hair loss and skin issues.
9 citations
,
January 2015 in “Dermatology Online Journal” A patient with Crohn's disease grew back their hair after stopping Adalimumab, which had caused 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.
75 citations
,
June 2005 in “Archives of Dermatology” Etanercept may not prevent alopecia areata from coming back.
