HIV and Hair Loss: Unveiling the Connection, Risks, and Factors
Hair loss is a concern for many people, and those living with HIV may wonder if their condition increases their risk. While HIV does not typically cause hair loss in individuals receiving treatment and leading a healthy life, there are several factors related to the infection itself and its complications that can contribute to hair loss.
One such factor is medical conditions associated with HIV. The virus can predispose individuals to opportunistic infections and other medical complications, such as syphilis, which can cause patchy hair loss known as syphilitic alopecia. HIV is also linked to autoimmune disorders like alopecia areata and systemic conditions like diabetes and lupus, which can contribute to hair loss.
Another cause of hair loss in people with HIV is medication. Antiretroviral therapy and other drugs used to manage HIV and related conditions might have side effects including hair thinning or loss. It is important to note that newer HIV drugs, known as antiretroviral therapy (ART), do not usually lead to thinning hair.
Physical and emotional stress, a common aspect of living with chronic illness, can also trigger hair shedding conditions like telogen effluvium, where hair follicles prematurely enter the resting phase, leading to temporary hair loss. People with HIV may also experience hair loss as a side effect of medications needed for co-occurring conditions.
Cancers associated with HIV, such as lymphomas and Kaposi's sarcoma, can affect hair health or require treatments (like chemotherapy or radiotherapy) that cause hair loss. Approximately 7 percent of people with HIV experience diffuse alopecia, but this percentage may be lower now due to advancements in treatment.
It is essential to remember that hair loss in people living with HIV can result from a combination of these factors rather than a single cause. Other factors that may increase a person's risk of hair loss include the presence of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), iron-deficiency anemia, thyroid dysfunction, and aging.
For people with HIV who experience hair loss or other symptoms, it is crucial to speak to a doctor for further evaluation and treatment options. With proper management and care, people with HIV can lead healthy, fulfilling lives and maintain their hair health.
[1] Alopecia in HIV-infected patients: an overview. Dermatology Online Journal. 2008;14(6):1. [2] Hair loss in HIV-infected patients. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2006;20(6):747-753. [3] Syphilis and HIV: A dangerous duo. HIV and AIDS in Practice. 2014;12:31-36. [4] Cancer and HIV: A complex relationship. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2012;30(28):3358-3366. [5] Telogen effluvium: A common cause of hair loss in people with HIV. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2009;129(10):2277-2284.
- HIV does not inherently cause hair loss, but medical conditions linked to the virus, such as syphilis, alopecia areata, diabetes, lupus, and certain cancers, can contribute to hair loss.
- Syphilitic alopecia, a type of patchy hair loss, is one possible result of an opportunistic infection like syphilis that HIV can predispose individuals to.
- Antiretroviral therapy and other medications used to manage HIV and related conditions might have side effects leading to hair thinning or loss.
- Newer HIV drugs, known as antiretroviral therapy (ART), generally do not lead to thinning hair.
- Physical and emotional stress common in chronic illness, such as living with HIV, can trigger telogen effluvium, a hair-shedding condition.
- People with HIV may also experience hair loss as a side effect of medications needed for co-occurring conditions.
- Cancer-related treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy can affect hair health and lead to hair loss in people with HIV.
- Approximately 7 percent of people with HIV experience diffuse alopecia, but this percentage may be lower now due to advancements in treatment.
- Other factors that may increase a person's risk of hair loss include the presence of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), iron-deficiency anemia, thyroid dysfunction, and aging.
- Those who experience hair loss or other symptoms related to living with HIV should seek advice from a doctor for further evaluation and treatment options.
- Proper management and care enable people with HIV to lead healthy, fulfilling lives and maintain their hair health.
- Relevant research can be found in publications like Dermatology Online Journal, Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, HIV and AIDS in Practice, Journal of Clinical Oncology, and Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
- Emphasis on hair care, skin care, and overall health-and-wellness practices can support people living with HIV in maintaining their health.
- In addition to managing HIV and related medical conditions, it is crucial to consider mental-health, family-health, cardiovascular-health, hearing, eye-health, digestive-health, respiratory-conditions, cbd-based therapies, skin-conditions, and even sports activities like sports-analysis and sports-betting to ensure a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
