TLDR 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.
The study described the characteristics of TNF inhibitor associated psoriatic alopecia (TIAPA), with a focus on the atrophy of sebaceous lobules as a diagnostic feature. It involved three female patients, aged 43, 60, and 56, who developed scalp alopecia while on TNF inhibitor treatment for Crohn's disease and inflammatory arthritis, without prior history of psoriasis or alopecia. Scalp biopsies revealed that sebaceous lobule atrophy is a distinctive, potentially reversible feature of TIAPA, distinguishable from idiopathic psoriatic alopecia by drug exposure history and sometimes by a mixed inflammatory response in histologic examination. All patients experienced hair regrowth after discontinuing TNFi therapy, indicating that this atrophy does not lead to permanent scarring alopecia. The study concluded that sebaceous lobule atrophy is a key finding in TIAPA and may be reversible upon cessation of TNFi treatment.
41 citations
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July 2015 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” Psoriasis can cause temporary or permanent hair loss.
42 citations
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March 2015 in “Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia” Anti-TNF therapy can cause hair loss and skin issues.
26 citations
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March 2014 in “Rheumatology” Some drugs used to treat inflammation may cause hair loss.
14 citations
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December 2013 in “Anais Brasileiros De Dermatologia” A woman with long-term scalp psoriasis developed rare scarring hair loss that didn't fully respond to treatments.
1 citations
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April 2012 in “Informa Healthcare eBooks” 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.
86 citations
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February 2012 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation” Stem cells in hair follicles are diverse and change throughout the hair cycle.
49 citations
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January 2012 in “Dermatology” Severe anti-TNF-α induced scalp eruptions often need stopping the drug and using systemic therapy to avoid scarring.
72 citations
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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.
57 citations
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August 1999 in “Archives of dermatology” Hair follicles grow hair and release it through the skin.
A girl with Crohn's disease developed hair loss due to her increased medication, a rare side effect seen in some children.
October 2025 in “Dermatology Practical & Conceptual” Psoriasis patients are more likely to develop alopecia areata due to complex autoimmune interactions.
January 2017 in “Springer eBooks” The document explains various skin conditions and their treatments.
14 citations
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September 2016 in “Journal of Cutaneous Pathology” The document concludes that new methods improve the accuracy of diagnosing scalp alopecia and challenges the old way of classifying it.
17 citations
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September 2012 in “Dermatologic Clinics” The conclusion is that accurate diagnosis of different types of hair loss requires careful examination of tissue samples and understanding of clinical symptoms.
