Nail ridges and thinning hair, is methotrexate the cause

[Torchy1]

Methotrexate Metojet Pen. I have deep horizontal ridges on my finger nails, which split up the ridges. Also my hair has thinned I noticed this about 3 months after using methotrexate. Does anyone know if methotrexate is the cause

[Simba1992]

As I have understood it, Mtx slows down all production of new cells not only the inflammatory cytokines. The effect on skin, nails, hair is one result of this, unfortunately.

[Torchy1 in reply to Simba1992]

Thank you for your post, Simba it's been helpful. I'm due to see my consultant in August so will ask him if there's anything I could add to supplement the hair and nails. If not I'll have to get stick on nails as mine are unsightly, at least my RA is well controlled. I inject on Friday night's, so I sleep through the headaches and nausea. Take care Maggie

[Simba1992 in reply to Torchy1]

Magnesium is a very good supplement for nails and hair, the difficulty however is the absorption of mg supplements in the GI tract. It seems that only 10-15% is absorbed. I found a topical mg supplement that is much more effective. You could ask your doc about this. Good luck.

[Jesnaskah in reply to Torchy1]

RA being controlled is great news!

[Jesnaskah]

Not sure about the nails.. But yes for the hair. mtx definitely can cause hair loss. Get a hair supplement that has 5000mcg biotin and you can also try folate... The natural version of Folic acid.

The side effects of mtx are so horrible...I had to stop it after 2 months.

[Shelly1969 in reply to Jesnaskah]

What meds are you on now since stopping methotrexate?

[Jesnaskah in reply to Shelly1969]

Tried leflunomide and Plaquenil, both gave me unbearable neuropathy so decided to stop DMARDS for the time being... This was last December. I did a heavy metals cleanse and started eating better and decided that I'd rather stay on Prednisone then DMARDs that are causing me to have other diseases. Now 7 months later, I've been able to taper to 2 mg prednisone/day. But I also started taking something called naltrexone in the last 4 months. I think that's really what has been helping me. You should really research it... Specifically "low dose Naltrexone." It's non toxic and basically had zero side effects. I still have pain here and there, especially in my hands, especially when I eat dairy and meat (even just one bite!!), but nothing like before. I was totally crippled before. But I plan on starting the paddison program soon. I seem to be the type that feels better thru diet.

[Nicole2000]

Hello Torchy,

Yep on both. Even now after stopping the methotrexate 6 months ago my nail beds all have ridges. When I can afford it I have acrylics put over them, as I think they are not a great sight. With regards to hair, I’ve had thinning in some places but I’m lucky I have a thick hair and I keep it short, so a little less obvious it’s less in places.

Nicole x

[BoneyC]

Depends how long you have been taking MTX. My hair fell out and thinned but Rheumatologist thought as I'd taken it 30 years plus, it wasn't that. No medical reason found in bloods, but started taking Bassetts chewy multi vits and hair improved - back to normal now. As for nails, always had ridges ever since dx age 6, I use Sally Hansen Complete Care 7 in 1 nail treatment now and then.

[Hidden]

I have the same thing, but mine is hypothyroid...

[LL77]

I have noticed my hair thinning too, I have psoriatic arthritis and I started taking methotrexate in May, the first two-three weeks were wonderful but I see little benefit now.

[margerie]

Hi dear ,

I have had the same problems with my nails and hair for many years, also my skin, and could not relate it. I am seronegative RA. I do not think it is the methotrexate, as since I am using it on 15 and 20 mg, my skin, hair and nails are much stronger and no more ridges, my hair much thicker and my skin smoother. It is the RA which causes the hair thinning and ridges on the nails. All disappears since the correct treatment has been found.

I do understand what you are going through but be patiente it will all resolved hopefully.

Take care

[dbestdeb]

Yes, I have same problems and have never taken Methatrexate.

[Torchy1 in reply to dbestdeb]

I thought it could be methotrexate, I'll be see my consultant in August so will ask him if methotrexate contributes to it. I'll also ask if there's anything thing I can take to help

[Simba1992 in reply to Torchy1]

Really strange margeries experience cannot be supported by science.But really sounds wonderful. I have not taken any ra meds and have no problem with hair and nails, inspite of my ra.

[Lyneal]

Hi, I haven’t noticed any change on finger nails, but hair loss was horrid after starting Methotrexate, but the longer I have been on it seems to have slowed down. Went on Methotrexate injections in 2016.

[Lyneal]

Also I take a folic acid tablet daily, except the day I inject. My RA. Nurse advised me to take one daily. Good luck with it all.

[jeffee]

This is called median nail dystrophy.

It is a side effect of some antiviral drugs, maybe methotrexate (!?)

Tacrolimus (Rapamycin) ointments are supposed to make it go away.