TLDR Azathioprine can cause hair loss and matted hair.
A 16-year-old female developed anagen effluvium and plica neuropathica while on azathioprine, a rare occurrence. Anagen effluvium typically results from decreased metabolic activity in hair follicle matrix cells, often due to cancer treatments, while plica neuropathica involves irreversibly matted hair, usually linked to psychiatric issues, poor hair care, scalp infestations, or certain shampoos. This case highlights the potential for azathioprine to induce these conditions, expanding the understanding of its side effects.
2 citations,
March 2015 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” Azathioprine can cause unusual hair loss, which may reverse after stopping the drug.
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1 citations,
February 2015 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” A man got six skin cancers within a year after a cell transplant for leukemia but was cancer-free 32 months later; skin checks are important post-transplant.
January 2024 in “Journal of cutaneous and aesthetic surgery” Scalp injuries and harsh hair care can cause severe hair matting in children.
January 2015 in “Springer eBooks” Hair damage shows as fragility, dullness, and discoloration, varies by ethnicity, and is worsened by cosmetic procedures and diseases.
18 citations,
April 2013 in “Inflammatory Bowel Diseases” People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease often lose hair due to stress, medication side effects, or lack of nutrients, and treatment depends on the specific cause.
