1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)
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Anyone experienced hair loss while taking or tapering Prednisone?

Posted by carlarosie @carlarosie, Jun 17, 2025

I was on the prednisone for just shy of two years

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peridash | @peridash | Feb 25 7:15am
In reply to @allinge "I was diagnosed with PMR in January and have tapered down to 3 mg/day. I'm beginning..." + (show)
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I was diagnosed with PMR in January and have tapered down to 3 mg/day. I'm beginning to feel a little better, thankfully, however ever since I've been on prednisone, my hair has started thinning out and I'm losing some hair every day. I had heard about Biotin (100mg/day) could help. Has anyone had this problem and if so, have they considered Biotin and if it's safe to take? I would ask my rheumatologist however I can't get into see him until perhaps the end of the year!! There's a long, long waiting list!

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@allinge My rheumatologist recommended taking Hair, Skin and Nails vitamins by Nature’s Bounty for hair loss and thinning skin. This has helped quite a bit with the hair loss and strengthening my nails; however, hair thinness and texture remain problematic as does thin, fragile skin on my forearms.

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lasvegasjh | @lasvegasjh | Mar 28 10:12am

I am a 74 year-old woman with PMR, diagnosed in April 2025. I started prednisone at 50 mg. After weaning to about 10 mg, six months later, my hair was really shedding. Since I have thin hair to begin with, this was NOT GOOD.
I am lucky enough to have a wig store close by, so I bought a “topper” wig. My confidence came back; I could continue all my normal activities. I now have two other toppers, and love them!! Even though my hair has stopped shedding, I think I will continue with the toppers. My family and friends are used to seeing me wearing one and they really do look good.
By the way, my natural hair has come back very wispy, thin, and curly.

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John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Mar 28 3:45pm
In reply to @lasvegasjh "I am a 74 year-old woman with PMR, diagnosed in April 2025. I started prednisone at..." + (show)
Profile picture for lasvegasjh @lasvegasjh

I am a 74 year-old woman with PMR, diagnosed in April 2025. I started prednisone at 50 mg. After weaning to about 10 mg, six months later, my hair was really shedding. Since I have thin hair to begin with, this was NOT GOOD.
I am lucky enough to have a wig store close by, so I bought a “topper” wig. My confidence came back; I could continue all my normal activities. I now have two other toppers, and love them!! Even though my hair has stopped shedding, I think I will continue with the toppers. My family and friends are used to seeing me wearing one and they really do look good.
By the way, my natural hair has come back very wispy, thin, and curly.

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Hi @lasvegasjh, You will notice that we merged your post with another discussion on the same topic. If you click the link below it will take you to the beginning of the discussion where you can learn what others have shared about prednisone and hair loss.
-- Anyone experienced hair loss while taking or tapering Prednisone?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/has-anyone-experienced-hair-loss-when-slowly-tapering-off-prednisone/

There is also a discussion started in 2024 that is related to the same question if you want to scan through the earlier comments by members.
-- Hair Loss from Prednisone: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hair-loss-9/

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linnead | @linnead | Mar 30 9:38am

I lost quite a bit of hair over the past 14 months on prednisone. My rheumy said it was not due to prednisone. I saw my dermatologist and she agreed and added it likely is the stress one's body goes through with PMR that causes the hair loss. I am down to 3 mg of prednisone now and my hair is coming back but fuzzy! Hope it calms down. Very thin skin on my shins. My derm said my skin is permanently damaged which is super annoying. Just a small scratch and I bleed like crazy. You know what I mean...

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joyl263 | @joyl263 | Mar 31 11:13am
In reply to @linnead "I lost quite a bit of hair over the past 14 months on prednisone. My rheumy..." + (show)
Profile picture for linnead @linnead

I lost quite a bit of hair over the past 14 months on prednisone. My rheumy said it was not due to prednisone. I saw my dermatologist and she agreed and added it likely is the stress one's body goes through with PMR that causes the hair loss. I am down to 3 mg of prednisone now and my hair is coming back but fuzzy! Hope it calms down. Very thin skin on my shins. My derm said my skin is permanently damaged which is super annoying. Just a small scratch and I bleed like crazy. You know what I mean...

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@linnead yes, my hair came out by the handfuls after about 9 months on prednisone but I also went on Zepbound (known for hair loss) despite taking vitamins and supplements. I also have Hashimotos which is known for hair losss...so who knows, maybe a combination? I'm off the prednisone now and I'm using topical minoxidol... I can see new growth after a month! After much research it's really the only "proven" method to help with this

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