Discoid and Systemic Lupus
Another type of hair and scalp disease is lupus, wherein you may experience hair loss. There are two types of lupus. The first is the distributed shedding of long strands of hair wherein the tips usually have white bulb although there is no bald spot. Due to flaring up “systemic lupus”, an individual who is affected may experience anemia, fatigue and high fever. The shedding of hair will eventually stop when the illness gets better. But after the illness is in remission, hair loss may continue for 8 to 12 months so the hair growth can get back to normal up to one year. Systemic lupus can be treated with the use of topical, systemic medication or the intralesional drug treatment.
The second type of hair loss that occurs is called lupus erythematosus (DLE) or the discoid lupus. This type is linked with irregular and patchy areas on the scalp with white, red or brown discoloration bald areas wherein the scalp can be scaly, itchy, crusted or tender. It is a chronic skin condition of sores with scars and inflamed scalp, face and ears or other body parts. This form causes damage to the hair follicles which can lead to blemishing and permanent baldness called cicatricial alopecia. In order to heal this condition and lessen hair loss, use of oral or topical treatment may help as well as localized injections. In some episodes, a skin biopsy is essential to make a final analysis.
Discoid Lupus (DLE) and Systemic Lupus (SLE) are conditions that are most common in women than men and they are characterized by remissions and relapses. The occurrence of these hair and scalp diseases may be attributed to genetics and environmental factors.