That sounds like a really rough experience — a burning scalp, intense itching, and clumps of hair falling out within just three weeks is a lot to deal with. You're definitely not alone in this.
Hair loss and scalp issues are known side effects of Arava (leflunomide). It's estimated to affect up to 10% of people who take Show Full Answer
That sounds like a really rough experience — a burning scalp, intense itching, and clumps of hair falling out within just three weeks is a lot to deal with. You're definitely not alone in this.
Hair loss and scalp issues are known side effects of Arava (leflunomide). It's estimated to affect up to 10% of people who take it. Stopping the medication and returning to something that works better for you was a reasonable response. Other myRAteam members have shared similar experiences with RA medications causing scalp burning and hair loss. It's a surprisingly common concern in the community.
A few things worth knowing going forward:
- Scalp burning can be linked to RA-related inflammation or nerve sensitivity, not just medication
- Hair loss is a potential side effect of several RA medications, including some biologics and DMARDs
- JAK inhibitors like tofacitinib (Xeljanz) are actually being studied as a possible treatment for hair loss associated with RA — interesting flip, right?
- Always let your rheumatologist know about side effects like these before stopping any medication, so they can help guide the transition safely It's worth discussing what happened with your rheumatologist so they can factor it into any future treatment decisions. Some people also find that working with a dermatologist alongside their rheumatologist helps manage scalp-related symptoms more effectively.
May 3
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