Hair Loss and lupus: The Truth Behind the Scars You Can’t Always See
- Susan L. Hendrix
- Jun 4
- 1 min read
Hair Loss and Lupus: The Truth Behind the Scars You Can’t Always See
Today was one of those days. My scalp was irritated, so I decided to wash my hair hoping it might bring some relief. As the lukewarm water ran through my hair, my scalp began to burn—not from heat, but from inflammation. When the shampoo touched my scalp, the burning intensified. And as I rinsed, I watched more hair come out.
This photo shows the result.
Was I upset? No. Because my hair does not define who I am. This is simply part of living with two forms of lupus—systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE).
📌 What You Should Know:
• Discoid lupus causes chronic skin inflammation, often leading to scarring and permanent hair loss, especially when lesions appear on the scalp.
• Systemic lupus can also lead to diffuse hair thinning or fragile, brittle hair—sometimes called “lupus hair.”
• Inflammation and immune activity affect the hair follicles, sometimes permanently if not treated early.
🧠 According to the Lupus Foundation of America, hair loss is one of the common symptoms of both SLE and DLE. In discoid lupus, scarring lesions can destroy hair follicles, making the hair loss irreversible in some areas.
💬 But hear me clearly: Losing hair does not mean losing your identity. I am still strong, still valuable, and still worthy—scars, patches, and all.
To those silently dealing with the physical and emotional toll of lupus: you are not alone. Your beauty runs deeper than the surface.
Comments