Sjögren Syndrome: Skin Symptoms, Rashes & Hair Loss | Dermatologist Explains

Sjögren syndrome is a systemic autoimmune disease best known for causing dry eyes and dry mouth, but its effects can extend well beyond the salivary and lacrimal glands. In this video, dermatologist Dr. Dray explains Sjögren syndrome from a dermatology perspective, including the skin symptoms and other dermatologic findings that may occur with this condition. Sjögren syndrome can be associated with dry, itchy skin, photosensitive rashes, Raynaud phenomenon, purpura, cutaneous vasculitis, hair loss, and other inflammatory skin conditions. Recognizing these findings can sometimes provide an important clue that a patient may have an underlying systemic autoimmune disease. Dr. Dray discusses how Sjögren syndrome affects the skin, what different rashes can look like, why palpable purpura and vasculitis deserve medical evaluation, and how hair loss should be evaluated rather than automatically attributed to Sjögren syndrome. The video also explains how Sjögren syndrome is diagnosed, including anti-SSA/Ro antibodies, Schirmer testing, salivary gland testing, and, in some cases, minor salivary gland biopsy, as well as practical approaches to treating dry, itchy skin and other skin manifestations. Topics covered: 0:00 Introduction 0:35 What Is Sjögren Syndrome? 3:07 The Skin Can Be an Important Clue 5:12 Dry, Itchy Skin 7:32 Rashes and Photosensitivity 8:42 Purpura and Vasculitis 12:00 Raynaud Phenomenon 12:57 Hair Loss 14:14 Other Skin Findings 15:53 Sjögren Syndrome Is More Tha