TLDR Some medications for inflammation can cause a condition with scalp rashes and hair loss, often linked to Crohn's disease, and may require treatment changes to prevent permanent hair loss.
The document from 2012 discusses Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Inhibitor Associated Psoriasiform Alopecia (TAIAPA), a condition that manifests in patients undergoing treatment with TNF-alpha inhibitors, which can cause paradoxical psoriasiform skin reactions. TAIAPA is marked by psoriasiform scalp plaques and hair loss, with a distinct histopathological pattern. The suspected cause is an imbalance between TNF-alpha and interferon-alpha due to TNF-alpha inhibition. Reported in both adults and children, it is often associated with Crohn's disease. Treatments include topical steroids, intralesional triamcinolone, and sometimes stopping the TNF-alpha inhibitor. Histologically, TAIAPA presents with more inflammation than psoriatic alopecia, numerous hairs in the catagen/telogen phase, reduced sebaceous glands, and peribulbar inflammation with plasma cells. The document highlights the importance of recognizing TAIAPA, particularly in children, to avoid misdiagnosis and delayed treatment that could result in permanent alopecia.
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.
61 citations,
June 2010 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Anti-TNF-α therapy may increase the risk of developing alopecia areata, especially in those with a history of autoimmune disease.
38 citations,
January 2009 in “Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery” A woman developed hair loss after starting a treatment with adalimumab, suggesting this medication might cause hair loss.
69 citations,
December 2006 in “Archives of dermatology” Adalimumab may cause severe hair loss in some patients.
75 citations,
June 2005 in “Archives of Dermatology” Etanercept may not prevent alopecia areata from coming back.
May 2012 in “CRC Press eBooks” Some patients on anti-TNF drugs experience a type of hair loss called TAIAPA.
A girl with Crohn's disease developed hair loss due to her increased medication, a rare side effect seen in some children.
2 citations,
January 2014 in “Journal of clinical and investigative dermatology” Some drugs used to treat immune conditions may cause different types of hair loss.
20 citations,
March 2017 in “Journal of cutaneous pathology” Shrinking of oil glands in the skin is a key sign of hair loss linked to TNF inhibitor drugs and may improve if the treatment is stopped.
15 citations,
March 2021 in “Journal of clinical medicine” Biologic treatments for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can cause skin problems, and doctors should adjust treatment if these occur.
