changes to hair on prednisilone

[polyputthekettleon]

I went to the hairdressers to have my roots done a few days ago, something I have been doing regularly for many years. No sooner had she started applying the colour than my head started to itch, I mentioned it and both hairdressers in the salon were very concerned. The itching continued and didn't stay in one place, anyway I decided to put up with discomfort even though it was nearly driving me mad!.. After the 45 minutes was up, the colour hadn't taken at all and I still had my grey roots. It was the same brand, ratio etc that I had many times before, it has to be the pred. Has anyone else experienced this? I know the pred has affected my hair texture (thinner and drier now) but I never expected this!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

Can’t say I ever had any issues.....and if you’ve had it done previously whilst on Pred which it sounds as if you have, don’t think you can entirely blame the meds.

It may be the same brand, but there’s nothing to say the manufacturers haven’t altered the ingredients.......

[Hidden]

Good morning, sounds like since being on Pred you've become allergic to the hair product. Always useful to have an antihistamine on you to take an hour before you have your next colour. I always suffer severe itching too,particularly round the bottom of my hair line. I think yours is a consequence of taking Pred. For me it's always done it, but I take a daily antihistamine for my allergies anyway. My hair has become thinner too, but I have noticed that when I wash it, it's now become a bit kinky (my hair has always been so straight and fine) I guess once we're all off Pred things should return to normal. I've just posted a post that I'm now suffering a tongue ulcer, that causes intense pain, which doesn't usually occur before an ulcer, they're usually just sore when they arrive and go quick after using

Bonjela, this one is different and the pain is awful....always during the night when this happens. My two thumb nails and both index finger nails are now

dented, and I'm getting a cold sore on bottom lip too. I know this can be down to immune system though. But all in all I think most of our probs. must be down the Prednisone.

Anne

[polyputthekettleon in reply to Hidden]

thank you, that sounds like good advice! I will try next time and see what happens. In the end the hairdresser used a semi permanent colour with no problem, phew!

[Hidden in reply to polyputthekettleon]

That's good.

[123-go in reply to Hidden]

My friend had dents on her thumb nails years ago and was told it was due to vitamin/protein deficiency. So long ago so can't remember the outcome. Worth considering.

[Hidden in reply to 123-go]

I doubt that is my problem. Only came on since starting on Pred.I take lots of supplements and have a healthy diet too....too much

of a coincidence. Thank you for your reply.

[123-go in reply to Hidden]

No problem: it was just an observation. 🙂

[Hidden in reply to 123-go]

Always ready to read any advice. Thanks again.

[Koalajane]

My hairdresser won’t do my perm any more as she says the chemicals are not good for my hair whilst on pred. She tells me that I have breakages!

[polyputthekettleon in reply to Koalajane]

Thank you, I too have breakages and try to avoid washing and straightening hair more than once a week

[MrsNails]

Polly, please be mindful that the itching is a warning sign & l’d be very careful and would have a Patch Test before having it done again.

People can suddenly become allergic to something they’ve been using for years & more likely than not the Prednisolone would have protected you from a worse reaction.

I’ve seen someone after having a reaction to Hair Colouring & it was frightening, she was actually in our Outpatient Clinic for another Medical Condition but we sent her over to A&E

Never Underestimate an Allergic Reaction.....

MrsN

[polyputthekettleon in reply to MrsNails]

thank you for the good advice. The hairdresser did actually suggest that I may have become allergic to it

[MrsNails in reply to polyputthekettleon]

You really must do a patch test in advance of considering another colour.

Doing the roots is often worse because it’s actually next to your head & sometimes people who are sensitive are advised to have foils so the actual colour doesn’t touch your head.

nhs.uk/conditions/hair-dye-...

There are colours without Chemicals but are semi permanent, l can send you some details if you wish.

Kind Regards

MrsN

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I KNOW no-one does it but one of the recommendations when using colour is to do a patch test first. No-one ever has an allergic reaction to something the first time they use it, it can be the second, the hundred and second, the thousand and second time. And as DL says - the manufacturers may have changed something.

I have come across people before who say the colour doesn't "take" properly if at all. Can't speak about it myself as I have been natural white for heading for 30 years now.

[maria40]

As you've had the colouring regularly for some time it probably is an allergy. I'd taken penicillin based antibiotics umpteen times before I was 40 when I developed a severe allergy which necessitated hospitalisation. Obviously, an extreme example of allergic reaction but every one has to be taken seriously.

[polyputthekettleon in reply to maria40]

thank you for the good advice, the hairdresser did suggest that I may have become allergic

[Lollybygolly]

I had very thick fine hair before Pred and about half has fallen out. It’s dry now so I use coconut oil wrapped in a shower cap once a month. I’m keeping it chin length as the ends looked horrible. I still rate Pred as a life saver but weight gain, hair loss, tummy problems are all an alloy to the golden drug.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lollybygolly]

I asked somewhere else - did you try restrictings carbs? Several of us have lost weight even while still on pred and lots avoided weight gain.

[Lollybygolly in reply to PMRpro]

I think I’ve been comfort eating and yes carbs need to go. I’m joining weight watchers and apparently I can stuff vegetables (not potato) when I’m anxious... and I’ve thrown out the cheese fir my robin. Slaps own hand! I’ll be good now.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lollybygolly]

I'll slap it again - rescue the cheese from the robin! WW may be very good but it doesn't work as well for many people on pred - pred changes the way we metabolise carbs and a diet with few carbs and plenty of cheese and protein (zero carb!) works better. You also need the cheese for satiety and calcium content!

dietdoctor.com/new-member/k...

is a really good introduction to cutting carbs with clear pictures to make is clear what is good and what is not so good!

[MaritimeMags]

I was diagnosed with PMR three years ago. At first I do not think the Doctors kept an eye on me that much and I did not know about tapering off. Last few months they have become more interested and now I have a regular blood test and down to 2mg or 3mg a day of Pred. However, I have noticed what used to be my lovely shiny hair has become dull and has thinned a lot. THIS COULD WELL BE OLDER AGE CATCHING UP of course but, yes, I think it is the Pred. Also, I used colour at home the other day, which I have used for years without problems, and my hair just went ‘berserk’. Hairdressers can often tell if regular customers are not very well; simply by the how the condition of hair has changes. Also, recently there was a report that COVID can affect hair - one lady’s colour did not take properly, reportedly, because she had had it.

[S4ndy]

My hair was always coloured but when I started steroids 4 years ago it changed from fine to course, from greasy to dry and from straight to wavy! I've never had a reaction to colour but found it impossible to colour as the hair wouldn't take up the dye. In the end I decided to stop trying and have gone to a natural salt and pepper look. I sometimes do a wash out colour using Colourists bright colours like sapphire blue or purple but it washes out within about a fortnight. To be honest I've not done much with my hair recently except to cut it myself due to the lockdown

[Lollybygolly]

Same: my hair is half dark and half white, back dark front white so I blonde it but the colour seems to strip it out even thinner like baby hair. I’m going to blame the Pred! But it’s also been marvellous fir my mobility so not too troubled.