Hair loss and IBD

Is hair loss common in IBD?

Statistics show that 33% of people with inflammatory bowel disease experience hair loss (1). I am certainly part of that statistic- I have experienced various periods of hair loss throughout my ulcerative colitis journey and I see it in some of my clients with Crohn’s and Colitis too.

 

What causes hair loss in Crohn’s or Colitis?

There are many different reasons why hair loss might occur when we have inflammatory bowel disease:

  • Alopecia areata - about 25% of us with an autoimmune condition will develop another autoimmune condition (2). Alopecia is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles causing hair to fall out (3).

  • Medications – some medications used to treat Crohn’s and Colitis may have side effects that include hair loss like methotrexate. Some other medications like mesalamine and anti-TNF medications have been associated with lower odds of hair loss, but the data is not completely clear and it seems that the experience of hair loss with IBD medications is very individual (1).

  • Nutritional deficiencies – deficiencies in nutrients including vitamin B12, iron, zinc and protein can cause hair loss (4). These nutrients are commonly deficient in people with IBD usually either due to reduced intake through food avoidance or as a result of reduced absorption (5).

  • Stress – inflammatory bowel disease can put a huge stress on our bodies both physically and psychologically which can cause hair loss (6).

  • Symptom of IBD – in two thirds of cases an underlying cause for hair loss, like the ones above, can be found but in the other third it may be that hair loss is occurring as a symptom of IBD itself (4).

 

What can I do about my hair loss with my IBD?

  • Speak with your GP, IBD nurse or consultant about why it might be happening.

  • Request a blood test to check for nutrient deficiencies.

  • Assess your levels of stress and put things in place to help reduce it. I wrote a blog about how we can reduce stress with our IBD here.

  • Seek advice from a dietician or nutritionist to help correct any deficiencies and help you to ensure you are eating all the nutrients you need to help support healthy hair growth.

I have written a free e-book to help you find a way forward for your everyday life with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Whether you are right at the beginning of your journey with IBD or have been living with your condition for years and feel like you have tried almost everything, there are things you can do everyday, beyond the medication you are taking, to help you take back control.

Disclaimer: All content found on the nalmclinic.com website, including: text, video, or other formats have been created for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor, consultant or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

We are all wonderfully unique and what works for one person may not work for another so please seek help and advice before changing your diet to work out the right way forward for you.

References

  1. Shah R, Abraham B, Hou J, Sellin J. Frequency and associated factors of hair loss among patients with inflammatory bowel disease. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21(1): 229-232 Available from: URL: http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/full/v21/i1/229. htm DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v21.i1.229

  2. Cojocaru, M., Cojocaru, I. M., & Silosi, I. (2010). Multiple autoimmune syndrome. Maedica, 5(2), 132–134.

  3. Alopecia UK (2021). Types of Alopecia. [online] Available at: http:// https://www.alopecia.org.uk/Pages/Category/types-of-alopecia[Accessed 15 February 2021].

  4. Kamal V. Patel, K. et al (2013) Hair Loss in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2013;19:1753–1763. https://academic.oup.com/ibdjournal/article/19/8/1753/4603162

  5. Ghishan F.K., Kiela P.R. (2017) Vitamins and minerals in inflammatory bowel disease. Gastroenterology Clinics. 2017; 46: 797-808. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gtc.2017.08.011

  6. Hadshiew IM, Foitzik K, Arck PC, Paus R. Burden of hair loss: stress and the underestimated psychosocial impact of telogen effluvium and androgenetic alopecia. J Invest Dermatol. 2004;123(3):455–7. doi: 10.1111/j.0022-202X.2004.23237.x 

Clemmie Macpherson