Do you have skin, hair and nails changes on post transplant meds?

Posted by katebw @katebw, May 16 11:44am

My liver transplant from a deceased donor was 4.5 years ago. Intermittently and recently I notice that my hair is sometimes a weird texture with some minimal thinning, my fingernails are scraggly for no good reason (I’m a basic person when it comes to nails, I just cut and file them) and on my skin, especially my arms, I have some random bruising periodically, I get periodic red spots and sometimes the top of my hands itch. My lab work is stable, and I see a dermatologist each year. My liver team again, this many years out and with ancillary concerns is of little help for minor issues. This is partially vanity but mostly wanting to stay abreast on med side effects and how to cope with them. I’m 58 years old, post menopausal, this is also a factor. If anyone has experience or ideas I welcome them.

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jimb43581921 | @jimb43581921 | May 17 10:14am

I'm a 60 year old male and it has been almost 2 years since my transplant for acute liver failure. In the 2 months prior to the transplant, my hair turned almost completely white and it was thinning rapidly. After about a year, I regained some peppery color and it became thicker. I haven't experienced the itching, red spots or bruising either.

benedict66066 | @benedict66066 | May 17 10:51am

What meds and dosages are you on?

katebw | @katebw | May 17 11:30am

Thank you. I’m on 2 mg tacrolimus per day. I also take entecavir .05 as I received a hep b positive liver.

chickytina | @chickytina | May 18 9:26am

In reply to @katebw "Thank you. I’m on 2 mg tacrolimus per day. I also take entecavir .05 as I..." + (show)

@katebw I take biotin for my hair loss and nails. You can also try BioSil. It doesn't work miracles, but I think it helps. However like anything else make sure that it is ok with your doctors. I was a double lung transplant recipient. So it may be a little different.

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | May 27 8:43am

@katebw I get it! - about the hair, nails, skin, etc. In my opinion, vanity about how we look is a good sign of how we are feeling. It is what we see when looking in the mirror and completely opposite of the yellow sick pre transplant reflection. A dear friend once told me that a touch of lipstick and a pair of earringe gave her the confidence to get up and get going each day.

Kate, I am also a nail "cut and filer" and don't use polish. When I was seriously ill prior to transplant my nails were beginning to get ugly, and after my transplant they actually started to regrow with a slight gap between the old and the new nails. Eventually the new nails took the place of the new ones and my nails are once again firm and healthy. I also hah thinning hair, but that also began before my transplant. At my first post transplant visit the dermatologist said I might try biotin and I added that to my daily medicine tray. Coincidentally, during that same visit, my my labs indicated anemia -low iron, and I was told to begin taking some iron (or feritan I don't remember). When my feritan levels were satisfactory, I stopped taking the supplemental iron.
Kate, I don't know if there is any connection between me being slightly anemic and then being prescribed the iron had any effect on my nails or hair regrowth. But my nais and hair had recovered. It might be something worth mentioning to your transplant or primary care doctor.