Involvement of Scalp and Nails in Lupus Erythematosus
August 2010
in “
Lupus
”
TLDR Lupus can affect the scalp and nails, often causing hair loss and nail damage, and needs early aggressive treatment to prevent permanent damage.
The 2010 document reviews the impact of lupus erythematosus (LE) on the scalp and nails, detailing that discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is the most common LE-specific skin lesion on the scalp, affecting 60% of DLE patients and leading to permanent alopecia in 34% of cases. It also describes non-inflammatory alopecic patches and reversible hair loss associated with systemic LE. Nail involvement in LE is reported in 31% of systemic LE patients, with various forms of nail dystrophy and abnormalities. Treatment options include topical or intralesional corticosteroids, antimalarial therapy, and systemic isotretinoin for resistant cases, with the goal of preventing irreversible scarring alopecia and managing nail changes. The document underscores the necessity of early and aggressive treatment for scalp DLE and the potential for hair and nail disorders in LE patients that do not necessarily reflect disease activity.
