Antihistamine and Hair Loss
Im a 30 yr old male who just recently discovered a small round bald patch on my beard about 3-4 months ago.
I am an asthmatic and suffer from Seasonal Rhinitis (Hayfever). for the allergies, i take various antihistamines daily, namely Loratadine (Claratin) or Pseudoephedrine based ones…
My hayfever has been pretty bad over the last few months and i am taking a pill at least once a day round about the time this patch formed…
What started out as a little round patch grew over the last few months into a golf ball sized patch with no hair at all and im starting to notice very small dots forming on other parts of my beard as well as a small one on the front of my hairline.. Im really starting to get worried. I went to see a dermatologist who gave me topical steroid cream and minoxidil 5% as well as a zinc and vitamin C supplment which ive been using religiously over the last 3 weeks, but it has not slowed down the growth of the alopecia.
Last night i read on the leaflet for the antihistamines i take (Loratadine) that some of the adverse reactions to it is Alopecia. Ive also read on tihs site that a few people complained about the same thing, losing hair because of Claratin. I have not found much conclusive evidence online which link antihistamines with alopecia, but as of yesterday ive stopped taking the antihistamines and continuing treating the patch with the oiintments etc.
Is there any proof that there is indeed a link between antihistamines and alopecia..?
There is no proof there is a link between antihistamines and alopecia. Many drugs can cause hair loss as a rare side effect, but by far, the most common cause of hair loss in men is genetic balding. What you’ve described is patchy hair loss (even around your beard). This may be alopecia areata, but I would follow up with your dermatologist for a diagnosis. I did write about Claritin and pseudoephedrines before here.
I am a 50 yr old FEMALE and have been suffering general head) and patchy hair loss for over 2 years – now lost about 60%. Although assuming the hair loss was from illness I have finally read the blurb in the box of Claratyne (Australian for Claratin) and note the ‘rare’ alopecia side effect. I have been taking the drug daily for many years.
Sadly, it is the only thing that keeps me human in the face of my allergies, but its got the chop from today. I wonder will my hair ever return? Any information would be appreciated.
Hi Cathy how are you now? has your hair grown back?
This happened to me on two occasions while using Zyrtec and Claratin, what reverses this horrible side effect is Zinc Citrate tablets.
Has anyone tried the antihistamines ebastine (Kestine) or fexofenadine (Allegra)for their AA? Apparently there is some success with people with AA and the two allergy drugs.