Another Steroids and Hair Loss
I took a steroid and my hair is falling out. I stopped it in about a month, but it is still falling out. I have been on Propecia for a few years so I thought that would protect me. What will happen to me? Have I messed up my hair?
You probably precipitated what we call a telogen effluvium, which can be caused by steroid use. Once this begins there is nothing that will reverse it until it goes its course. I always tell my patients that although Propecia may protect you somewhat, it is not a sure thing when you take steroids. I would strongly suggest that you continue with the Propecia. As the hair loss may take months to go its course, stay on the Propecia and wait it out. See your hair doctor as well, so that good baselines can be taken to compare with what will evolve over time. By having measurements to compare, at least you will know when the process has stopped, when it reverses, and what to expect. Advise your friends not to do what you did, so that you can help someone else avoid the problem you had.
My 77 year-old mother has been on steroids (for breathing) for a few months. Her hair is coming out in clumps. Could it be related to steriods or perhaps it is something else. She sees a dematologist next week but I was hoping to find out something before. Will it regrow after the medicine is out of her system? Please respond if you have any knowledge on this topic.
Thanks
Angie in West Virginia
i am 24 vyrs old male, suffering accute hair loss for the last 4 yrs. my hair started falling since 2004, december. i have no dandruff. foir the last three years i have switched to a variety of medicines externally on my scalp. it made the situation worse. last february while i was using minoxidil 5% i developed lichen planus lessions all over my body. my dermatologist prescribed glucocorticosteroid (kenakort 40 once in every 3 weeks for four times). this in turn aggravated hair loss. should i stop minoxidil? my dermatologist suggests these are unrelated in any way, but i guess these symptoms are correlated. please advise.
regards
anandaroop.