Hair loss in patients with IBD is seen more frequently than you may think. In fact, according to a study published back in 2015, approximately one third of IBD patients experience hair loss in some capacity. As an IBD patient myself, I have experienced this disheartening ‘side effect’. Hair loss can occur for a variety of reasons in IBD patients, sometimes making it hard to pinpoint. These include but are not limited to; medications commonly prescribed for Chron’s and Colitis, stress and emotional peril, nutrition deficiencies, and as a result of showing active disease.
The American Academy of Dermatology states that losing between 50-100 hairs a day is considered normal. This gives you an idea of just how much hair you even have to lose to notice a difference. These hairs are normally replaced rather quickly. However, when hair growth is slowed or stopped, hair loss will start to become noticeable.
Back in 2019 I was hospitalized for a week during the worst flare I have ever had. As a new therapeutic option, I was started on a biologic. Thankfully this reduced my symptoms and has helped tremendously. However, in the coming months I started to notice just how thin my hair had become. I had always had very thick and curly hair, so having anything else felt strange. Pretty soon I noticed clumps coming out in the shower, and my once thick hair, you could now see through. I am thankful I never fully lost all of my hair, and with recovery it has started to grow again.
When I told my gastroenterologist about this side effect, he assured me that it was very common for IBD patients. This is especially true for anyone taking 5-ASA’s, biologics, corticosteroids, or immunomodulators. Another contributor to hair loss is stress. Whether physical or emotional, extreme stress can cause telogen effluvium. This is a common type of alopecia that causes mass thinning of the hair. Many IBD patients also suffer from nutritional deficiencies because their intestines can’t absorb them properly. This can cause hair loss, especially if your body is deficient in B12 or Iron. Lastly, it is generally accepted that hair loss is a side effect of an active flare in IBD. After my doctor told me all this, I could see why it was hard to pinpoint the exact cause.
While my doctor couldn’t help me per se with hair growth or repair, there are many options out there if you are looking to get some professional help. Make an appointment with your dermatologist and discuss what type of hair loss or balding that you have. After determining that, they can help you get a care plan that is right for you. These range from creams, to injections, pills, and vitamins. However, with flare recovery your hair will more than likely grow back to what it once was, it will just take some time and patience.
Here are some pictures of my hair before, and after my hospitalization and start of biologics:
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Want to check out the articles I used to write this article? Check it out HERE & HERE!
Note: * This is NOT an affiliate post. I do not receive anything for promoting or recommending things. *