Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHair LossConnectionTreatmentWhen to Seek Medical CareFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Hair Loss
Connection
Treatment
When to Seek Medical Care
Frequently Asked Questions
Ankylosing spondylitis(AS) andhair losscan occur at the same time for many reasons, including as a side effect of certain drugs used to treat the pain and swelling that occur with thischronic inflammatory disease. In some cases, hair loss may be a symptom of a different health problem that also exists.
Treating hair loss may or may not involve changing the drugs you use to manage pain and swelling. Finding the cause of hair loss is key to solving this problem. The proper treatment can help improve your feelings and self-image. This can result in a better quality of life.
This article describes the link between the two ailments, treatment options, and when to contact your healthcare provider to address this problem.
\Aleksandr Zubkov / Getty Images
What Is Hair Loss?
Hair loss, known in clinical terms as alopecia, is a condition in which new hair doesn’t replace the hair that falls out. It can occur as a result of several different conditions. The problem can involve any area of your body, though it affects the scalp most often.
Hair loss can occur as a result of several different factors. Here are some common causes of hair loss:
While hair loss usually isn’t a medical problem, it can impact your quality of life. It is common to experience feelings of embarrassment, low self-esteem, or other types of emotional suffering with hair loss.If you’re having trouble coping with hair loss, talk to your healthcare provider about ways to cope and options for mental health support.
Help for Suicidal ThoughtsIf you are having suicidal thoughts as a result of hair loss or any other reason, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. This call will connect you with a trained counselor who is part of the National Suicide Prevention network. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
Help for Suicidal Thoughts
If you are having suicidal thoughts as a result of hair loss or any other reason, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. This call will connect you with a trained counselor who is part of the National Suicide Prevention network. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
Is Hair Loss a Symptom of Ankylosing Spondylitis?
While hair loss can occur with ankylosing spondylitis, results of a 2022 study indicate that hair loss is not due to AS. Researchers concluded that patients with ankylosing spondylitis do not have a higher risk of hair loss than people who do not have AS.
Methotrexate
Methotrexate is adisease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)used to treat AS. It is sold as a generic medication and also under the following brand names:
Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Inhibitors
The following TNF inhibitors are used to treat ankylosing spondylitis:
Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
Treatments and Management of Hair Loss
Depending on the cause of your hair loss, you may be able to slow or reverse this problem with one or more proven treatments. If you have hair loss as a result of an underlying health condition, infection, or external factor, you will have to address that problem before normal hair growth can resume.
Consulting with a dermatologist can help you determine the cause of your hair loss. Certain diagnostic tests such as acomplete blood count (CBC) testor a scalpbiopsymay be necessary to diagnose your condition.
Depending on the cause and extent of your problem, the following strategies may be advised:
Hair Loss (Alopecia)
When to See Your Healthcare Provider
Hair loss can be a sign of a health condition or other changes in your body. Ignoring hair loss can allow untreated problems to develop and potentially interfere with your existing treatment for ankylosing spondylitis or other health issues.
Contact your healthcare provider if you develop any of the following symptoms related to hair loss:
Is Male- or Female-Pattern Baldness Reversible?
Summary
While people with ankylosing spondylitis may have hair loss, it is not a symptom of AS. Hair loss may occur as a side effect of certain drugs that help manage the pain and swelling common in this disease. You may also lose your hair for other reasons, like infection or other health problems.
A Word From Verywell
Hair loss can occur for a variety of reasons among men and women in the general population. Research indicates that ankylosing spondylitis does not increase your risk of this side effect, so it’s important to discover the cause of your hair loss. This information can help you determine the best way to restore hair growth.
Your hair is an important part of your self-image and physical appearance. It’s common to have feelings of embarrassment or sadness with hair loss, regardless of the cause. Living with ankylosing spondylitis can be a challenge, and dealing with hair loss at the same time can worsen your emotional well-being and interfere with your quality of life.
Seek advice from your healthcare provider on ways to address hair loss. If your hair loss is interfering with your ability to function socially and professionally, you may benefit from consulting with a mental health professional to help you cope.
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhen hair loss occurs as a result of medication use, it is often a consequence of the drug’s action on the hair follicle. In some cases, this effect may be permanent. However, if you can switch to another medication to manage your ankylosing spondylitis, drug-induced hair loss is usually reversible when the medication is discontinued.Learn MoreHow Ankylosing Spondylitis Is TreatedLiving with a chronic disease can lead to emotional changes including stress. Physical or emotional stress can cause a type of hair loss calledtelogen effluvium, a condition that may cause up to 75% of scalp hair to fall out.Learn MoreWhat is Chronic Stress?While hair loss usually doesn’t threaten your health, it can impact your emotional well-being. Feeling embarrassed or depressed about hair loss may affect your interest in maintaining your treatment program. It can interfere with your interest in participating in different types of movement and exercise. The effect can allow your condition to possibly worsen or deteriorate faster.
When hair loss occurs as a result of medication use, it is often a consequence of the drug’s action on the hair follicle. In some cases, this effect may be permanent. However, if you can switch to another medication to manage your ankylosing spondylitis, drug-induced hair loss is usually reversible when the medication is discontinued.Learn MoreHow Ankylosing Spondylitis Is Treated
When hair loss occurs as a result of medication use, it is often a consequence of the drug’s action on the hair follicle. In some cases, this effect may be permanent. However, if you can switch to another medication to manage your ankylosing spondylitis, drug-induced hair loss is usually reversible when the medication is discontinued.
Learn MoreHow Ankylosing Spondylitis Is Treated
Living with a chronic disease can lead to emotional changes including stress. Physical or emotional stress can cause a type of hair loss calledtelogen effluvium, a condition that may cause up to 75% of scalp hair to fall out.Learn MoreWhat is Chronic Stress?
Living with a chronic disease can lead to emotional changes including stress. Physical or emotional stress can cause a type of hair loss calledtelogen effluvium, a condition that may cause up to 75% of scalp hair to fall out.
Learn MoreWhat is Chronic Stress?
While hair loss usually doesn’t threaten your health, it can impact your emotional well-being. Feeling embarrassed or depressed about hair loss may affect your interest in maintaining your treatment program. It can interfere with your interest in participating in different types of movement and exercise. The effect can allow your condition to possibly worsen or deteriorate faster.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
NYU Langone Health.Types of hair loss.
Moattari CR, Jafferany M.Psychological aspects of hair disorders: consideration for dermatologists, cosmetologists, aesthetic, and plastic surgeons.SAD. 2022;8(3):186-194. doi:10.1159/000519817
Hsieh JP, Lee Y, Wun B, Wang Y, Tsou H, Wei JC.No increased risk of alopecia in ankylosing spondylitis patients: a population-based cohort study in Taiwan. Int J of Rheum Dis. 2022;25(8):937-944. doi:10.1111/1756-185X.14393
Arthritis Foundation.Arthritis medications and hair loss.
Lutf A, Hammoudeh M.Weight gain and hair loss during anti-tnf therapy. Int J Rheumatol. 2012;2012:593039. doi:10.1155/2012/593039
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hair loss: diagnosis and treatment.
Mount Sinai.Hair loss.
Penn Medicine.Hair loss (alopecia).
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