Is there anything that can be done for hair loss as a result of taking methotrexate or other medications for lupus?

I am a 43 year old woman who was diagnosed with RA in 1998 and with Lupus in 2003. I have severe hair loss even though I have been off of methotrexate for the last year. Is this common and is there anything that can be done for the hair loss?

Answer:

Hair loss is a common problem in patients with lupus and may be the first sign of a lupus flare. Hair loss can also be due to or exacerbated by medications such a steroids, methotrexate (in only 5%), cyclophosphamide and rarely with hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil). In lupus, treatment of the lupus inflammation commonly treats the hair loss. If medications are the culprit, stopping them can stop the problem. Also, seeing a dermatologist who specialized in hair loss can be very helpful because they can treat you with medications, either orally, topically or via local injections into the scalp.