Hair and nail problems on Warfarin.

[NiceNana]

I have been on Warfarin for just over a year. I find that my nails are very brittle and my hair is getting thinner. Does anyone know how this medication affects the keratin and more important has anyone found anything to help?

Lynn

[BobD Volunteer]

I still have all my hair now but my nails are a little brittle having been on warfarin for the last ten years or more. I did loose a lot of body hair when I was on hormones post cancer but it has grown back despite the warfarin. This is a known side effect for some people I'm afraid.

[Hidden]

I was on Warfarin for about 4 years and my nails went fairly brittle. Constantly breaking and needed to keep them very short indeed.

I've now changed over to Apixaban (not because of the nails) so we'll see in due course whether it's just age or the Warfarin. No change at the moment but I've only been on the new drugs for a couple of weeks.

Koll

[Hidden]

I don't know much about warafin, but I've had exactly the same problem in the past, although this was linked to an Grave's Disease (overactive thyroid). I used a nail strengthener from Superdrug (can't remember which one - sorry), but you paint it on like a clear nail varnish and it really does help. After a couple of weeks I started to use Neutrogena hand and nail cream instead of the varnish and that really seemed to help. As for your hair, I found using a deep conditioning mask on my hair a couple of times a week and changing to Aussie shampoo and condition did the trick after a month or so. All sounds a bit girly which isn't like me, but when you're unwell the most trivial thing such as bad hair and nails make it seem ten times worse! Hope this helps! x

[shirlygirly]

Hi I not on Warfarin so dont know about that as a cause but Ive found

OPI nail strengthener very good when my nails need help.

Ive tried all sorts on my hair which is thin in places due to hormone

imbalance. Ive found Aveda thickening products to be what has helped me

most. Nothing Boots had did anything at all.

[NiceNana]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've just ordered some Aussie volumising shampoo and conditioner, along with some OPI nail strengthener.

X

[Rellim296]

You can buy multivitamins at Boots which aim to improve hair, nails and skin.

[bonnie54]

I also found this, and my skin, hair eyes, everything was already dry from the sotalol. I just used a lot of moisturisers and conditioning masks on hair etc. Also had my hair cut short so it was curly rather than dry and frizzy. But I was only on warfarin for a few months around my ablation so a short term solution was enough for me. Good luck.

[Hidden]

Hi Lynn,

I've been on Warfarin for about 13 years . I found my hair thinned a bit at the front but as I have quite thick hair , although fine, it was easily disguised.

There are now slot of hair thickening products on the market and it is a case of finding one which suits you. I've found the Pantene Age Defy range excellent and would definitely recommend .

Sandra

[NiceNana in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Sandra. I have ordered some Aussie products from Amazon, so will see how they go on for a few months. I'll definitely bear the Pantene range in mind, though. X

[JamesP]

I have been on warfarin for AF since at least 2008. I take desert spoonful of cod liver oil daily, bio -quinone (pharma-nord) 100mg, vitaminD3100iu,vitaminB6 andB12 folic acid capsule. Fresh pressed orange juice from real oranges, a pink grape fruit prunes, banana ad muesli to start my day!! No caffeine, smoking or alcohol. I cycle and dance as often as possible. I am 76 and touch wood have never had trouble with skin, joints nails after bypass surgery 5 months ago. Trying to rebuild stamina and get rid of GA effects at moment.

Expect to see results after 3 months. Good luck!

jamesp

[PeterWh in reply to JamesP]

People need to watch out since grapefruit in particular should but also some other citrus fruits can NOT be taken with some medicines. Check the leaflets (some GPs forget to tell you).

[JamesP]

Grapefruit reacts with Amlodipine I believe but I am only on warfarin.

[Puddychops]

Some medication does cause hair loss ( beta blockers immediately spring to mind). I take Warfarin but haven't noticed that particular problem but certainly nails are brittle but that is also a consequence of aging. (Vertical lines, splitting)

Low serum iron causes hair loss ( when your parting seems wider)??? You woukd need a blood test to establish low seum iron

Generally the vitamins associated with hair, nails and skin are Vitamin A And Zinc especially if you rely on beta carotene ( vegans/vegetarians)

A good quality multi vitamin that DOES NOT contain Vitamin K probably wouldn't go amiss

I use Lamberts Multiguard Advance for older people

Lamberts are also the Umbrella comany for Natures Best in the UK and have identical products but sometimes slightly different names

The company has advisors so you can call them and explain your problem and the medication you are taking.

There is a product specifically for thinning hair for peoole who are serum iron deficient but not sure it will work if medication is causing the problem.

The product is called Florisene

The telephone number 01892 554313