An Atypical Clinical Presentation of Alopecia in Two Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

November 2019 in “ JAAD Case Reports ”

Irina Lerman, Ritesh Agnihothri, Glynis Scott, Christopher T. Richardson

TLDR Two patients with lupus had an unusual type of hair loss not typical for the disease but improved with treatment.

The document described two male patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who exhibited an unusual type of alopecia with large circular nonscarring alopecic plaques featuring central scarring and hyperpigmentation, which is not typical for lupus-related hair loss. Histological examination of biopsies showed changes consistent with lupus, such as perifollicular lymphocytic infiltrate, loss of hair follicles, and increased dermal mucin. Following their SLE diagnosis based on serologic tests and clinical symptoms, the patients were treated with hydroxychloroquine and topical steroids. One of the patients experienced regrowth of vellus hair after 6 weeks of treatment. These cases underscore the importance of considering systemic disease in the evaluation of unusual patterns of hair loss, including both scarring and nonscarring alopecia.

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2 / 2 results

research Alopecias in Lupus Erythematosus

39 citations , October 2018 in “Lupus Science & Medicine”

Different types of hair loss in lupus need careful diagnosis for proper treatment.

research Fibrosing Alopecia in a Pattern Distribution

158 citations , February 2000 in “Archives of dermatology”

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6 / 6 results

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1 citations , June 2022 in “PubMed”

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The document concludes that understanding and treating hair loss requires recognizing its various types and using appropriate diagnostic tools and treatments.

research An Atypical Clinical Presentation of Alopecia in Two Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

3 citations , November 2019 in “JAAD Case Reports”

Two patients with lupus had an unusual type of hair loss not typical for the disease but improved with treatment.

research Non-Scarring Patchy Alopecia in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Differs from That of Alopecia Areata

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Hair loss in lupus is different from hair loss in alopecia areata and may indicate lupus activity.

research Alopecia: Evaluation and Treatment

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The document concludes that proper diagnosis and FDA-approved treatments for different types of hair loss exist, but treatments for severe cases often fail and future improvements may focus on hair follicle stem cells.

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No treatments fully cure or prevent alopecia areata; some help but have side effects or need more research.