HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the cells in your body that help fight infections. In turn, it makes your body more vulnerable to other infections and diseases. But did you know that HIV infection can also cause hair loss? On this page, you’ll find everything you need to know about HIV, hair loss, and if you’re eligible for a hair transplant.
What is HIV?
According to Science of HIV charity, It is currently estimated that 35 million people in the world are suffering with HIV/AIDS. Each year, it is believed 2 million people catch the virus.
Put simply, HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. When a person is infected with HIV, it weakens the body’s ability to fight off infection. When this virus worsens, it may progress into AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).
Currently, there is no cure for HIV infection. This means that once a person is infected they will have the condition for life. Although there is no cure, medications do exist that prevent the spreading and contraction of this condition.
How is HIV Infection Contracted?
According to the CDC, HIV is transmitted through the sharing of bodily fluids. Most commonly, it is passed through vaginal or anal sex, and the sharing of unsterilised needles.
In rare cases, HIV can also be passed through oral sex and tattoos needles or piercings that have not been sterilised. HIV can not be passed through kissing on the mouth, sharing dishes/food, mosquito/tick bites.
If you’re worried about HIV transmission during a hair transplant, then you shouldn’t worry. Whilst HIV could theoretically be passed on through implanter pens during a hair transplant, preventative measures are taken to sterilise all equipment before and after use.
What are the Symptoms of HIV?
Although there are different stages of HIV, common symptoms across all stages include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches and joint pain
- Rash
- Sore throat and painful mouth sores
- Swollen lymph glands, mainly on the neck
- Diarrhoea
- Weight loss
- Cough
- Fatigue
According to one clinical study (Smith et al. 1996), hair loss is also a common symptom for patients with HIV-1. When examining 10 patients with hiv, results showed all patients to have telogen effluvium, one of the leading causes of hair loss.
Although telogen effluvium is usually a temporary form of hair loss, a clinical study conducted by Rebora (2016) found that if hair loss persists for more than six months then this may be a sign of a chronic condition.
HIV medications: do they cause hair loss?
Did you know that in the UK, there are 25 medications that can be offered to patients with HIV. Of these 25 different medications, each will fit into one of the following seven classes:
- Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs or ’nukes’).
- Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NtRTIs).
- Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs or ‘non-nukes’).
- Protease inhibitors (PIs).
- Fusion and entry inhibitors.
- Integrase inhibitors.
Thanks to breakthroughs in clinical and medical trials, HIV medication is safe and effective. We not live in a world where individuals can manage their condition easily and minimise transmission from person to person.
Although rare, hair loss is considered to be a common side effect of some HIV treatments such as: Atripla, AZT, and Crixivan. However, it’s important to note that these treatments are rarely used today and patients with HIV are usually given newer, more effective medications.
Most modern medicines that treat HIV will not cause hair loss in patients. Doctors and researchers work diligently to provide safe and effective medications for people with HIV!
However, if you believe that you’re suffering with hair loss as a consequence of your HIV medication, be sure to consult your doctor, or GP. In almost all cases, they’ll be happy to transfer you onto another medication that is just as effective and doesn’t cause hair loss!
If you think you may have been exposed to the HIV virus, the first thing you should do is go to your doctor or sexual health clinic and get yourself tested. The doctor will prescribe you an antiretroviral therapy which helps to prevent the HIV virus from replicating itself within your body.
Does HIV Cause Hair Loss?
Research analysing HIV and hair loss shows mixed evidence. There is no scientific consensus in medical journals showing the former to cause the latter to occur.
There are numerous reasons as to why people with HIV may suffer with hair loss. Many of which are not directly related with HIV itself.
As HIV is a virus that weakens the immune system, one explanation is that having the virus can increase the rate at which a pre-existing condition causes thinning hair, or baldness. The typical hair loss conditions we see many patients come to us with, are:
- Androgenic Alopecia – this hereditary hair loss condition is sometimes called “male pattern baldness” or “female pattern baldness“. This is the most common form of hair loss amongst men and women. It may well be that a person with HIV may simply have this condition, forcing them to suffer with thinning hair and a receding hairline.
- Alopecia Areata – as alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition, this condition is particularly prevalent in patients with HIV. This is where hair follicles fall out in a localised area, resulting in the appearance of bald spots (around the size of a 50p piece).
So, whilst a HIV positive patient is unlikely to suffer with hair loss as a direct result of their condition, any pre-existing causes of hair loss may occur at a faster rate.
Can people with HIV have hair transplants?
At Harley Street Hair Transplant Clinics, we deal with HIV patients on a case by case basis. Eligibility for treatment is based around a number of factors, namely: the severity of baldness, the progression of the disease, and whether a patient is taking HIV medication.
HIV and Hair Transplant Eligibility
Thanks to the effectivity of many HIV medications, it is now very safe for patients with HIV to have hair transplants. Providing a person with HIV is in an early stage of the virus and taking adequate post-exposure medication, then there is no reason why they cannot have a hair transplant.
Whilst the immune system remains strong in a person with HIV, there is no reason why they can not get a hair transplant. Although a HIV patient may be at a higher risk of post-surgery hair loss, with the right medication it is possible to prevent further thinning.
Post-surgery, we recommend HIV patients take a chemical treatment like Minoxidil or Finasteride to prevent further hair loss. This will help to promote hair growth and minimise future hair shedding or thinning.
AIDS and Hair Transplant Eligibility
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the name given to several potentially life-threatening conditions that can affect a HIV patient with a severely compromised immune system. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer hair transplants to patients with AIDS.
During a hair transplant, a patient is left with thousands of tiny scabs after their hair transplant. This is where new hair follicles have been extracted/implanted. With these scabs, a person with AIDS may be incredibly prone to infection.
In cases like these, a hair transplant may be refused for the safety of the patient. It would simply be irresponsible to risk a patient’s life for a hair transplant.
I take PrEP medication. Am I Eligible for a Hair Transplant?
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a medication that helps reduce the risk of contracting HIV. These early HIV medications act as a catalyst, helping the body produce antibodies that cause viruses and germs.
If you take this drug to prevent HIV, you’re definitely eligible or a hair transplant. We would only refuse a patient taking PrEP if their hair loss was too extensive to provide a full, natural-looking result from their hair transplant.
Moreover, if you take PrEP and are suffering with hair loss, it is unlikely that you’re suffering with drug induced alopecia. PrEP related hair loss is incredibly rare and is not considered a side effect of this medication.
What is the Best Hair Transplant Method for HIV Patients?
Generally speaking, a hair transplant method called Direct Hair Implantation (DHI) is recommended for patients with HIV. This method helps to minimise two key factors: the amount of time your hair grafts spend out of your head and blood produced during the procedure.
The CHOI pen (the implantation tool used in DHI) does not create any channel incisions on your donor area. This means the amount of blood (and, as a result, scabbing) is minimised reducing the change of follicle rejection, and infection.
If a patient has a weak immune system, then minimising the amount of time your hair follicle spends out of your scalp is extremely important. The quicker and easier your grafts can be implanted back into your head, the less likely your body is to reject them.
