People with Crohn’s disease may experience hair loss. Possible causes include alopecia, medication side effects, nutritional deficiency, and more.

Crohn’s disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This inflammation can cause symptoms like pain, severe diarrhea, weight loss, and malnutrition.

People with severe Crohn’s disease often experience symptoms outside their GI tract, too, like inflammation in the joints and skin. Hair loss increasingly appears to be one of these symptoms.

This article looks at what experts know about the link between Crohn’s disease and hair loss. It also discusses treatment options.

Anecdotally, many people with Crohn’s disease have reported hair loss as a symptom. A 2021 research reviewTrusted Source suggests that hair loss may be more common in people with IBD than in the general population.

In one small 2015 studyTrusted Source, 33% of participants reported hair loss as a symptom of their IBD. However, researchers cannot prove whether all those cases of hair loss were actually related to IBD, so the actual percentage might be smaller than what was reported in the study.

Experts do not fully understand the association between hair loss and Crohn’s disease. So many factors can contribute to hair loss, which makes it difficult to know whether hair loss is due to Crohn’s disease or not. More research is necessary to explore the connection further.

A 2021 research reviewTrusted Source suggests a possible link between alopecia areata and IBDs like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.

A 2024 study also found that people with IBD may develop alopecia areata. The study suggests that this is more likly if you’ve been taking tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (anti-TNFs) to treat the IBD.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition. Autoimmune conditions happen when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body. In alopecia areata, the immune system attacks hair follicles.

Your hair follicles are responsible for growing your hair. When they are damaged, the attached hair falls out. In alopecia areata, this typically leads to patchy, circular areas of hair loss.

Researchers are still exploring the connections between alopecia areata and Crohn’s disease.

Crohn’s disease may be an autoimmune condition. It may happen when your immune system attacks harmless bacteria in your GI tract. This can cause inflammation, which can then lead to symptoms of Crohn’s disease.

People with autoimmune conditions like alopecia areata are at higher risk of developing other autoimmune conditions. This is particularly true for women, according to a 2019 review of studies.

It’s important to note that the studies in this review didn’t report data on or include participants who were transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, genderqueer, agender, or genderless, and more research is necessary in these areas.

Telogen effluvium is a type of alopecia that causes excessive temporary hair loss. Hair may come out by the fistful or cover your pillow when you wake up in the morning.

Telogen effluvium typically occurs after a shock to your body, like giving birth or having surgery. A flare of Crohn’s disease symptoms can also fall into this category.

Although research is currently limited, a 2014 reportTrusted Source notes that telogen effluvium appeared to be the first symptom of Crohn’s disease in a 10-year-old child. Medical professionals had ruled out other causes of hair loss.

With Crohn’s disease, you might experience significant weight loss, dietary changes, or nutritional deficiencies. These can trigger telogen effluvium.

As you’re managing your Crohn’s symptoms and your flare subsides, hair should start growing back in its usual way.

In some instances, hair loss may be a side effect of one of the medications used to treat Crohn’s disease.

Methotrexate, an immunosuppressant, may cause hair loss.

Methotrexate fights inflammation by interfering with cell growth. It can also interfere with the growth of hair follicles, leading to mild hair loss.

Crohn’s & Colitis UK suggests that less common side effects of methotrexate, including hair loss, affect around 1 in 100 people taking the medication.

Learn more about methotrexate and hair loss.

Vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients play an important role in hair follicle development.

Since it causes inflammation in the intestinal tract, Crohn’s disease can impact your ability to absorb nutrients.

Even if you’re eating a balanced diet, you may not digest or absorb the nutrients your food contains. Diarrhea, a common symptom of Crohn’s disease, can also prevent the absorption of much-needed nutrients.

Poor nutrient absorption can lead to malnutrition and deficiencies in the nutrients your body needs for healthy hair growth. Malnutrition due to Crohn’s can also result in weight loss, another factor in hair loss.

Vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients play an important role in hair follicle development.

Your doctor may recommend supplements to help manage nutritional deficiency. Remember to always consult a doctor or registered dietitian before adding vitamins and supplements to your diet.

Stress can be a side effect of living with Crohn’s disease. Stress may also worsen Crohn’s symptoms.

Stress is associated with numerous negative health effects and may play a roleTrusted Source in hair loss.

Chronic stress can lead to high levels of cortisol in the body. Cortisol is often known as the stress hormone because of its role in stimulating your body’s fight-or-flight response. A 2021 studyTrusted Source in mice found a connection between raised cortisol levels and hair loss.

Speak with your doctor if you have concerns about stress. They can help you find ways to manage stress and any related hair loss.

If you have Crohn’s disease and patches of thinning hair or baldness, talk with your doctor. They can give you recommendations based on your individual circumstances.

Crohn’s medication change

Your doctor may consider adjustments to your medication dosage and type, especially if you are experiencing other side effects.

Hair loss medications

Depending on the root cause of your hair loss, oral or topical medications may be beneficialTrusted Source.

These include:

Learn more about hair loss treatments.

Dietary adjustments

Your doctor can order a blood test to check for vitamin and mineral deficiencies. If a vitamin deficiency is present, your doctor may advise that you take a daily supplement.

You can also reduce nutritional deficits by avoiding trigger foods, especially during a flare. Everyone’s trigger foods are different. Some foods to avoid may include high fiber foods and dairy.

Check out our Crohn’s nutrition guide to help identify the best foods to eat.

Stress reduction

There’s no downside to stress reduction. Talking with a therapist one-on-one or finding a support group for people with Crohn’s are two strategies for reducing stress.

Other ways to relieve stress include:

  • getting daily physical activity
  • doing yoga
  • meditating
  • listening to music
  • enjoying a favorite hobby
  • making time to see friends and loved ones

Connect with others on Bezzy

Bezzy is Healthline’s community hub. It aims to foster connection among people living with chronic conditions. Visit our Bezzy IBD hub to learn more!

Some hair loss is typical and happens in cycles throughout your life. However, if you’re losing more hair than usual or you notice balding patches, let your doctor know.

Hair loss can be hereditary or associated with conditions other than Crohn’s disease. It’s important to get medical support to help find the hair loss treatments that will be most effective for you.

While some hair loss conditions are permanent, many are temporary and reversible. Plus, treatment options can help prevent hair loss and strengthen your hair. Generally, the sooner you address the hair loss, the better your outlook.

Although experts are still studying the possible links between hair loss and Crohn’s disease, anecdotal evidence suggests that some people with Crohn’s disease do experience hair loss. This also appears to be true with other forms of IBD, especially during symptom flares.

Crohn’s is associated with an increased risk of developing other autoimmune conditions, including alopecia areata.

Other symptoms and complications from Crohn’s that may contribute to hair loss include nutrient deficiencies, stress, and medication side effects.

Talk with your doctor if you experience any irregular changes to your hair or any worsening of your Crohn’s disease symptoms.