Could the Topical Steroid Prescribed for a Skin Infection on My Finger Cause Hair Loss?

Hello,

Just writing to get a professional opinion. I was prescribed a topical steroid, specifically mometasone ointment 0.1% for skin on my fingers that’s swollen/opened up from a skin infection I had. My question is: do you think that application of this could cause hair loss? Perhaps I am being irrational but with no medical background I don’t know what to think. Doing some of my own research, I cannot seem to find a link between the two, but I am just wondering what you think?

Thanks.

I recall a woman that consulted me for a scar on her knee. I told her that I’m a doctor who treats men and women dealing with hair loss, but I think she just came to my office because the consult was free. She didn’t like my honesty, so she posted a bad review online. To this day her irrationality baffles me.

In a similar way, I don’t understand why you would think a topical steroid applied to an infection on your finger would affect hair loss on your scalp. There is no connection here. Most hair loss in men is genetic and should be addressed with medications like finasteride (Propecia) or minoxidil (Rogaine). I don’t know anything about your hair loss pattern, age, medical history, family history, etc. If your hair loss continues to be a concern, you should see a doctor about possible treatments.

If the ointment’s potential side effects are a concern, you should follow up with the doctor who prescribed it to you, though perhaps you have already answered your own question when you wrote “I am being irrational…”