Psoriasis and Alopecia: Unveiling the Links

October 2025 in “ Dermatology Practical & Conceptual ”

Mohammad Reza Pourani, Yasaman Khajeamiri, Fahimeh Abdollahimajd, Omid Zargari

psoriasis alopecia telogen effluvium drug-induced alopecia TNF-α inhibitors IL-17 blockers psoriatic alopecia alopecia areata autoimmune interplay TNF-alpha inhibitors interleukin-17 blockers AA

TLDR Psoriasis patients are more likely to develop alopecia areata due to complex autoimmune interactions.

This review explores the relationship between psoriasis and various forms of alopecia, highlighting that while most psoriasis patients with scalp involvement experience non-scarring and reversible hair loss, such as telogen effluvium, there are complex interactions at play. Drug-induced alopecia can occur with treatments like TNF-α inhibitors and IL-17 blockers, which may lead to different types of alopecia, including psoriatic alopecia and alopecia areata (AA). The review emphasizes that psoriasis patients are at an increased risk of developing AA, indicating a complex autoimmune interplay. The study underscores the importance of understanding these links for effective management and calls for further research.

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3 citations , May 2023 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Certain drugs can cause hair loss, but stopping the drug usually leads to hair regrowth.

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Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent permanent hair loss from TNFα inhibitors in scalp psoriasis.

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IL-17 inhibitors for psoriasis may cause unexpected hair loss.

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Psoriasis can cause temporary or permanent hair loss.

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A woman with long-term scalp psoriasis developed rare scarring hair loss that didn't fully respond to treatments.

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