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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Alopecia Areata Cause Excessive Hair Loss?

I have been diagnosed with Alopecia Areata a year and a half ago by my dermatologist. It first started as one small spot and now my hair is thinning out so bad and I have other spots as well. I also have rheumatoid arthritis and have been on Enbrel, Humira and now I am on Orencia. I take a multivitamin, hair supplements, biotin, vitamin C, Fish Oil, and Tumeric every day. Does Orencia cause hair thinning, or could this all be from the Alopecia?
posted on Fri, 19 Feb 2016
Twitter Thu, 17 Mar 2016 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 17 Mar 2016 Last reviewed on
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hi Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..

I have gone through your query and can understand your concern..
Yes alopecia areata can cause excessive hair loss. It starts in one area causing bald spot. In some cases it could spread to other areas of scalp also. The hair thinning you are facing are due to alopecia only & not because of orencia.
Alopecia areta is an autoimmune disease just like rheumatoid arthritis you have. This is due to the body's failure to recognize its own body cells and destroys its own tissue, which is hair in this cases. Orencia is right medication for rheumatoid arthrits as well as other autoimmune diseases. It prevents your body's immune system from attacking healthy tissues. therfore it would not increase hair loss that you are facing.

Refer to your dermatologist
Hope this information helps
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Does Alopecia Areata Cause Excessive Hair Loss?

Hi Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC.. I have gone through your query and can understand your concern.. Yes alopecia areata can cause excessive hair loss. It starts in one area causing bald spot. In some cases it could spread to other areas of scalp also. The hair thinning you are facing are due to alopecia only & not because of orencia. Alopecia areta is an autoimmune disease just like rheumatoid arthritis you have. This is due to the body s failure to recognize its own body cells and destroys its own tissue, which is hair in this cases. Orencia is right medication for rheumatoid arthrits as well as other autoimmune diseases. It prevents your body s immune system from attacking healthy tissues. therfore it would not increase hair loss that you are facing. Refer to your dermatologist Hope this information helps