I took it for oral erosive lichen planus (autoimmune in origin). It is diagnosed by a dentist, but treated by a dermatologist. The prednisone did not make a dent in my problem; I still have eroded gum and buccal tissue in my mouth, I also have atrophy on the left inside of my cheek. Now that I have been off the drug, I have lost almost 2/3rds of the hair on my head, and I have had to wear a wig for the past 3 weeks. I see no sign of new hair growth on my scalp. I have my eyebrows, but no leg hair. I have not had a haircut since January. Has anyone experienced this with Prednisone? I told my dermatologist and she just shrugged her shoulders. How long before I start to see some hair growth on my scalp?
Has anyone experience significant hair loss w/Predisone?
Question posted by marilynfurman on 31 March 2010
Last updated on 27 August 2019 by Sarah Harmon
3 Answers
Sarah Harmon
27 Aug 2019
I have loss my hair and would like to know if I can get it back to growing.
Nicci1336
14 March 2017
I'm giing through the same thing :( 3 months until i get mareied and i have lost about 3/4 of my hair!!! I have purchased a wig to wear to work and possibly on my wedding day!! Can you please tell me how long you experienced the hair loss for and gow long until it came back? I have almost no hair on my arms and legs and have even lost pubic hair (which im not upset about hut its weird!!).
Sacosam
11 April 2010
Hello Marylin; Prednisone Sux... but I have to take it for Polymialgia Rheumatica PMR , a horrible painful offshoot of Arthritis. Interestingly, and the reason I respond to you is that I was warned that among the 100 or so problems with Prednisone is the fact that it makes facial hair grow uncontrollably ! ! ! and it's true... with Me anyway. I sometimes have to shave twice a day. You didn't want leg hair anyway didj'a ! Jokeing aside, are you taking any drugs with it that might cause, or combine to cause hair loss. You might want to give that dermatologist a good swift kick, and then see your prescriber for info. as to why your hair is falling out. What strength did you start off at? How long were you on prednisone? Did you taper off or quit cold? Are you sure it was Prednisone ? The best of the best to you Girl. I'll be here if I can help ? Sacosam
marilynfurman
11 April 2010
I took soriatane last Sept. The dermatologist had found some evidence that although the drug was developed to treat psoriasis, there had been significant results with oral erosive lichen planus. One of the first side effects of soriatane is "hair thinning." My eyelashes and eyebrows got thin, but the hair on my head remained fine. We finally went to prednisone in early December. It is the drug of choice for treating OELP, but since I am a Type 1 diabetic (47 years) on an insulin pump, the dermatologist tried to avoid the steroid because of sky high blood sugars. I started w/40mg daily for 3 weeks, then 30mg/daily for 3 weeks, then 20mg and finally 10mg. It definitely was a slow taper. The hair issue didn't start until I got to the end of the 20mg dosage. Don't know if prednisone is to blame, or a latent side effect of the long ago soriatane. My leg hair does not grow.
I do have my eyebrows and eyelashes, the hair on my head does not grow--I have not had my hair cut since December. It just stopped growing, and since we all lose hair (and new hair is supposed to be growing), I have lost about 2/3rds of my hair. I have been wearing a wig for the past 6 weeks because I don't have enough hair to style. What's left has all broken off, and looks pathetic. The worst part is that NEITHER drug even helped a litte bit!! My OELP is worse than ever. So, either the latent effect of soriatane, or the prednisone is responsible. I don't take any other drugs but synthroid and ramipril. I have been on both of those for years, with no issues. I've been off the prednisone since early March, and I see no hair growth on the horizon. Thanks for your response--much appreciated. Marilyn Furman
diana39
30 May 2010
i have scleroderma and the dr just started me on a combanation of cyclosporine and prednisone, i hate taking the prednisone because i didnt want to blow up like a ballon, that should be the last of my worries (smile) but in any case im having a really bad problem sleeping, i dont know if its the cyclosporine or the prednisone. 5 hours of up and down and then i give up. does any one else have a problem sleeping on the prednisone? or is it the other drug? thanks
Mbsunny54
3 Sep 2012
Hi! I too am suffering with hair loss during my prednisone taper. It seemed that when I got down to 20mg of pred daily that is when I began shedding a lot of hair daily. I am now down to 5mgs daily and still losing hair. My dr doesn't think it is from the pred but from the trauma my body is going thru having been in the hospital in Feb2012 with acute auto immune hepatitis. However all my research on the Internet pred use does cause hair loss. I just hope it grows back. It is coming out evenly from my head so if I wear it pulled up since it is long its not as bad looking. I just purchased a beautiful ponytail to wear. Also don't handle your hair too much or wash it too much. Treat it very gently. I use dry shampoo also. Good luck to you and many blessings...
vmbreier
22 Oct 2012
I was on prednisone for 9 months. I had terrible side effects from it including brittle diabetes. I have also experienced hair loss and have to go to a dermotologist to figure out why, although my doctors have said it could be from imuran and 6 mp that I was on. In terms of not sleeping prednisone is awful and I had to take something to help me sleep. I also had terrible leg cramps and gained over 20 lbs (which I did lose once off the prednisone). I know it saved my life, but it is the worse drug and I don't think I would ever go on it again.
NettieAnn
2 Jan 2018
I have been on Prednisone in varying doses for RA since 1998 and it is now 2018. The past few months I have been in multiple flares and have had to increase my dose up to 20 mg for 2-3 weeks and tapered down to my maintenance dose of 5 mg. only to flare again and increase my dose. I have been experiencing hair thinning on t
Related topics
autoimmune disorders, lichen planus, prednisone
Further information
- Prednisone uses and safety info
- Prednisone prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Prednisone (detailed)
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