Hydroxychloroquine - Will hair regrow after Plaquenil?

This is a very good question and it really requires a careful examination by your physician. There are actually a few possibilities for what is happening and an experienced physician can help sort them out. Some patients experience hair loss from Plaquenil but it is not usually involving leg hair and eyebrow hair - it is most commonly just the scalp hair. Some patients who use Plaquenil from treating one type of autoimmune disease also have another autoimmune disease affecting the hair follicle. Examples include alopecia areata, lichen planopilaris and frontal fibrosing alopecia. I would advise that you see your physician to determine which category best applies to you.

Dr Jeff Donovan
Dermatologist.

The Alopecia is reversible when you discontinue taking Plaquenil. Just be patient and maybe get a shampoo containing Minoxidil to help it along. Use a soft bristled hair brush to stimulate your scalp. Brushing lightly and often won’t cause any hair to fall out that wasn’t going to anyway and it helps with hair regrowing. Good luck and I hope it’s all growing back in soon.