Autoimmune diseases occur when our body’s defense system is unable to distinguish external invaders from normal healthy cells, resulting in it turning against the body itself.
The reasons why this happens have not been clarified to date. There are several theories, the main ones blaming bacteria or viruses, drugs, chemicals or environmental stimuli.
Depending on its type, an autoimmune disease can affect one or more tissues of the body.
Hair loss is a possible symptom for several diseases of this kind, however there are cases where hair loss and autoimmune diseases are linked in a more obvious way. In addition, the diagnosis of an autoimmune disease increases the possibility of a second one that may be related to hair loss in a more direct or indirect way.
-
Alopecia areata
In alopecia areata we find the direct relationship of the autoimmune condition with hair loss as the immune system turns directly against the hair follicles stopping hair growth.
Alopecia areata usually occurs in people under the age of 20, but it can occur at any age and is characterized by areas of hair loss that look like patches. In rare cases it is possible for hair loss to spread to the face and body.
The destruction of hair follicles is not necessarily permanent. So it is possible for the hair to grow back even after a long time. The above possibility, however, is significantly reduced in cases where there is a family history, another autoimmune disease, a tendency to allergies or hair loss is particularly extensive.
Lupus
The disease affects many different systems and organs of the body causing a variety of symptoms.
Hair loss can occur either as a side effect of the disease or as a result of medication to treat it.
In the first case, the immune system attacks the hair follicles, destroying them.
In the second case, hair growth can return with the end of the treatment. In this case however one may need to wait until the disease is under control before dealing with the issue of hair loss.
If the hair loss comes as a result of the disease, the key to its effective treatment lies in early diagnosis and treatment, which in such a case aims to control the disease.
In rare cases, hair loss may spread to other parts of the body or face.
Hashimoto’s
It is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, leading to its hypofunction.
Hair loss in patients with Hashimoto’s can occur for a variety of reasons. Because of this, it is not certain that medication is able to treat the issue of hair loss in all cases.
The main reasons for hair loss in patients with Hashimoto’s are the following.
- Blocking the action of thyroid hormones on the hair follicles.
In cases of high inflammation, inflammatory cells can affect the action of thyroid hormones on hair follicle cells with negative consequences for their health.
- Increased testosterone levels in women.
It is the most common cause of hair loss in women with Hashimoto’s, as increased testosterone is associated with thinning and hair loss. The increase in testosterone in most cases is caused by high insulin levels due to poor diet and an inactive lifestyle.
- Insufficient nourishment of the hair follicles due to poor blood flow to the scalp.
This is a common cause of hair loss in patients with Hashimoto’s. Poor circulation prevents the necessary supply of nutrients to the hair follicles resulting in hair loss.
