Alopecia

Baldness and hair loss treatments.

Must not donate if:
a) Dutasteride (Avodart^®) taken in the last six months.

b) Finasteride (Propecia^®, Proscar^®) taken in the last four weeks.

c) Taking systemic anti-fungal treatment or oral steroids.

d) Related to malignancy or to its treatment.

a)  If the donor is on no treatment, accept.

b)  If the donor is only using topical treatment and is not attending specialist follow up, accept.

c) If the donor is only taking oral Hydroxychloroquine, Spironolactone or Minoxidil, and is not under specialist follow up, accept.

d) If the donor has recovered from hair transplant surgery and no further treatment or follow up is planned, accept.

e) For all other cases, refer to a DCSO.

For systemic anti-fungal treatment:
Infection - Chronic

Malignancy

For hair transplants:
Surgery

For injected or oral steroid treatment:
Steroid Therapy

Hair loss can be related to several factors, including family history, hormone changes, scalp infections, medication and underlying medical disorders.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition which can vary in severity, from patchy to complete hair loss. Individuals may require local treatment, including injected steroids, or systemic treatment with steroids and/or immunosuppressants.
 

Dutasteride and finasteride can cause abnormal development of the sexual organs of a male baby within the womb. As it is not possible to know if an individual donation may be transfused to a pregnant woman, whose baby may be at risk, donations cannot be taken from people who may have one of these drugs in their blood. They remain in the blood even after treatment has stopped.

Given the range of causes and treatments, referral to a DCSO may be required to establish the donor’s eligibility to donate blood.

This entry has been revised by adding a discretion for oral Spironolactone and Minoxidil therapy. Further guidance has been added with regard to immunosuppressive treatments that may be required.

If you wish to obtain more information regarding a personal medical issue please contact your National Help Line.

Please do not contact this web site for personal medical queries, as we are not in a position to provide individual answers.