Hair Loss from Prednisone

Posted by annee55 @annee55, Aug 9, 2024

Has anyone had any luck with slowing down hair loss. Started on 25 mg of Prednisone April 1st, now on 10mg. And the hair loss has really just started in last few weeks, but is dramatic and noticeable. I naturally have thick gray hair . So disconcerting. They say hair loss is rare but reading here it doesn’t seem so.

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Profile picture for linda7 @linda7

I have a little different perspective. I believe that PMR caused my hair loss rather than the prednisone. My hair was always thin but got thinner when I got PMR. In the four months before I was diagnosed I didn't go outside my house without a baseball cap on. When I first saw the rheumatologist he put in his notes that I had alopecia. Since I've been on prednisone I will go out without a hat since my hair does more or less cover my head with no areas where you see a lot of scalp.

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@linda7
I found that I have 3 reasons for my hair loss: My thyroid function, low estrogen after quitting my HRT( took for 10 years!) and finally, steroids and prednisone.
I was told by a dermatologist to use minoxidil (rogaine) but that I would have to use it continuously.
So I use hair care products that give the illusion of thicker, fuller hair—Nioxin shampoo, conditioner and scalp treatment. I use the #4 line for colored hair with progressed thinning. I feel it does make enough of a difference for me.
You can find it a your beauty salon or at ULTA beauty supply.

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I too noticed hair loss while on lefleudomide and prednisone. My stylist recommended food grade diotomatious earth powder. I’ve been taking it for 6 months and my wife has noticed my hair is getting thicker now.

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Profile picture for szf10 @szf10

I also heard prednisone doesn’t cause hair loss. But you can’t go by me. Perhaps it’s the Plaquenil that is causing my hair loss issue. Or maybe the combination of both meds. I just know I had more hair before all this happened and now I have a lot less. It’s just so upsetting to feel crappy from PMR and then not like how I look on top of that. It’s also scary to be on prednisone after being diagnosed with osteoporosis and know that prednisone is not good for bones. Lots to deal with.
But on the plus side, the Toppik really helps self esteem. You can get it on Amazon but I buy direct from the company. I’m on an auto shipment now every 3 months. Thats how much I use it. Lol
Thanks for reaching out.

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I got some of the Toppkik for gray hair. It really does cover scalp!
Thanks for the suggestion.🙏🏻

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Profile picture for annee55 @annee55

I got some of the Toppkik for gray hair. It really does cover scalp!
Thanks for the suggestion.🙏🏻

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I’m so glad my suggestion helped you. I’m sure you look beautiful!

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Profile picture for jlo2252 @jlo2252

@linda7
I found that I have 3 reasons for my hair loss: My thyroid function, low estrogen after quitting my HRT( took for 10 years!) and finally, steroids and prednisone.
I was told by a dermatologist to use minoxidil (rogaine) but that I would have to use it continuously.
So I use hair care products that give the illusion of thicker, fuller hair—Nioxin shampoo, conditioner and scalp treatment. I use the #4 line for colored hair with progressed thinning. I feel it does make enough of a difference for me.
You can find it a your beauty salon or at ULTA beauty supply.

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My hair was falling out for months and I was on Plaquenil. When I stopped taking it my hair stopped falling out. I am on 5 mg prednisone. I don’t believe it is the disease causing hair loss. Maybe it is another drug you are taking.

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Profile picture for bunnykfl @bunnykfl

My hair was falling out for months and I was on Plaquenil. When I stopped taking it my hair stopped falling out. I am on 5 mg prednisone. I don’t believe it is the disease causing hair loss. Maybe it is another drug you are taking.

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It may not be the prednisone, it certainly doesn’t help! But I’m on thyroid medication and my estrogen has dropped since I had to stop hormones after 10 years—I did have nice hair on the hormones, but they are too risky to take for too long! ☹️

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Profile picture for John, Volunteer Mentor @johnbishop

Hi @annee55, I can understand how you feel about the hair loss and it would definitely be disconcerting to say the least. You will notice that we added to your discussion title to let members know a little more about your discussion. I never experienced hair loss as a side effect for both of my occurrences of PMR but I know you are not alone. While you wait for others to respond, here's a search link showing comments by other members who have had hair loss as a side effect of prednisone - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=prednisone+%2Bhair+loss.

Here's an article on the topic that has a few suggestions you can try.
-- How to treat hair loss from medication: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327068

Have you mentioned the side effects to your doctor to see if they may have some suggestions to try?

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Thanks for the links!!!

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Profile picture for jds2123 @jds2123

I too noticed hair loss while on lefleudomide and prednisone. My stylist recommended food grade diotomatious earth powder. I’ve been taking it for 6 months and my wife has noticed my hair is getting thicker now.

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How do you take the food grade DE?

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I have been losing about double the normal amount of hair each time I comb or brush. Also a lot of breakage and new feathery wisps of hair growing in, especially around the forehead. I am using a new shampoo and conditioner called Routine. It is supposed to help stimulate hair follicles as well as make hair look fuller. I am enjoying it thus far. Also I have purchased a device called hairmax from Sharper Image. It is an infrared comb that you use by combing it across your scalp in increments for 12 minutes every other day. I will post in a couple of months whether it's working. My husband is also trying it out for his bald spot. I had gone off of my usual estrogen for 3 months and that was not a good result at all. So I have just resumed a small amount of estrogen with my doctor's approval and I hope that will help as well.

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I started Prednisone 15 mg in January. My hair was ok until this past month. Now thinning, brittle and falling out excessively. I am now at 4 mg Prednisone
I hope hair comes back.
Happy that I have not had other problems with Prednisone. I lost weight ant beginning of PMR and have not regained it and BP is low.
I am not feeling entirely well at 4 mg but I am nowhere as miserable as I was in January before I started Prednisone. I really want to be done with it.

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