Possible Alopecia Areata, Plus Hair Loss from Prednisone?

Hello Doctor,

I’ve been treated for alopecia for about 3 years – mostly on the back of my head. After taking prednisone for the first time, large areas of back scalp balded, instead of just the typical circles. I was then given a larger dose and hair grew back – but very fine, white color, and short – like baby hair. Is there a chance I will get “real” hair back or may my follicles have been damaged.

Thank you

Prednisone is known to cause hair loss, but based on your description, I would guess that you also have alopecia areata (you mentioned alopecia, but also said that you used to have “typical circles” of hair loss). Have the circles of hair loss regrown in the past?

This is a complex problem with many presentations and many progressions. However, guessing so blindly is not what doctoring is about unless I am treating you and I have all of the facts. You need to present these questions to your doctor, who can examine you in person and hopefully diagnose your problem.