Blaming Steroids

[lonelysunrise]

Over the past couple of years, I have developed what I can only describe as scalp acne! Do you think this is yet something else that I can blame on Pred? At my recent group meeting, several ladies were blaming it for their straw like hair. I Have been on it for 4.25 years and am currently on 3mgs daily. Thank you.

[pal-o-mine]

I have to agree that my hair recently (within the last month or so) has become extremely dry and, as you say, straw-like. I used to have very greasy hair that needed washing every other day but now I only wash it once a week and it looks like it could go on for another week or so without washing. As I have no other health issues, and being on 4.5mg of Prednisolone, I can only assume that it's the steroids that are the culprits. It's really annoying but at least I save on water and electricity (no hairdryer needed now really). Also saves me time in the bathroom Don't suffer with any scalp issues but my skin is generally a lot dryer now. That's probably down to age though.

[Blearyeyed]

Funnily enough , I got hard scalp spots that were quite painful before starting steroids and they cleared after I began the medication.

Its worth asking the GP to look at them , and to refer you on to Dermatology if you are getting them regularly, or they are painful as there are many different types of spots that happen on the head and knowing which type you have often means they can be treated very easily.

The spots could be related to steroid use , but there could be other causes like low vitamin levels and anaemia or hypersensitivity reactions.

If you dont take one already , a vitamin and mineral supplement taken after your biggest meal and drinking more water each day can really help reduce the skin reactions related to taking medications or various chronic illnesses.

An antihistamine can help if it isn't caused by a particular health problem. Using natural shampoo or conditioner and making sure your head doesn't get overheated can also help this problem.

[Miserere]

My hair has dried out too. Used to need washing every other day like pal-o-mine but now the top, in particular, is straw-like and won't behave. I have an itchy scalp but I've had that most of my life - sometimes worse, sometimes better - and the skin is very dry.

[piglette]

Steroids definitely cause straw like hair, I am living proof. A side effect of steroids is acne, so I assume that includes scalp acne!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Pred can change your hair - but so can PMR. Mine changed a lot, from wavy but with a decided bounce that needed very careful cutting to straighter and with a different mind of its own. That was in the 5 years I had PMR without pred. On pred it became drier and frizzy. I have used the hiatus of Covid to grow it out and the frizziness is slowly changing to curls.

[autumnlass]

Crowning glory not when on prednisone!

My hair looked like Worzel Gummidge recently in Summer due to increase of Pred making me and my scalp perspire a lot. Only just normalised with a Moroccan oil shampoo and conditioner. 💆‍♀️

[pal-o-mine in reply to autumnlass]

Ohh, are they something I can order from Tesco by any chance? Sounds like just what I need

[autumnlass in reply to pal-o-mine]

Hello I bought my Moroccan oil shampoo and conditioner from Boots. OGX are the company, and they have a huge range of products. They are good I think. I think you can get them if you do a Tesco online order.

[pal-o-mine in reply to autumnlass]

Thanks for this, I will certainly be ordering some and give it a try.

[autumnlass in reply to pal-o-mine]

Hope it works for you. They also do a Moroccan Hair Mask which I found great too.

[pal-o-mine in reply to autumnlass]

Never tried a hair mask, never felt the need before, but if I like the shampoo and conditioner I will give it a try, thanks.

[Grammy80]

I was excited to read the responses to your post. I had a small dry bump on the top of my head, now gone. Now, there is one on the right side of my skull; small, painless and just really dry. My biggest challenge is the thinning of my hair. My crowning glory is turning into a tiara~!!!💞🙄🙄

[Bfp1]

I have the same problem

And wondering the same - appointment to see dermatologist but not holding out much hope.

[Missus835]

I have bumps in my scalp as well. Hair is drying, but not significantly - yet. Although I will say it does have a mind of it's own. It grows very quickly, but always did. I do have a LOT of facial peach fuzz which I dermaplane off every few days. Also wart-like bumps on my now very filled out neck (gobbler). Did not have these before. The moles I did have are now slightly crusty. Something new to which we can look forward almost every day. I'm still stuck at 12.5 mg of Prednisone with what, I believe, is some inflammation in my left upper arm and shoulder. Very difficult reaching back to get clothes on and also pulling up my pants. Guess I'll be stuck at 12.5 for a bit. I had to reschedule my Rheumatlogist appointment and she put me off until end of November. Last appt. was end of May. Sorry, got off on a rabbit trail here. All the best.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Missus835]

Have you had that left arm and shoulder looked at? That sounds like something specific rather than "just" PMR.

[Missus835 in reply to PMRpro]

No not yet. It is very much the pain I had when the PMR first started. I have to get in to see my GP soon as the Rheumie does absolutely no follow up. I had BDX 3 weeks ago and told her booking desk that it I can only assume it was "normal". I'm fed up with her anyway. LOL.

[jarn]

After reading all the replies, have you thought that it could be Psoriasis? Psoriasis also auto immune infection, but dry scale is the sign of it

[pata63 in reply to jarn]

Just to amend a mistake I made in another thread, I mentioned Psoriasis for my condition but when I went and checked the dematoligist's notes the small itchy bumps in my scalp were acutally Asteatotic and neurodermatitis scalp ? plus Underlying actinic damage. So more of an Eczema than Psoriasis as I uderstand it. Treatment was Elocon (topical steroid cream) weekly and lots of skin cream. I was given 1L of Cetomacrogol and Glycerol Cream in Feb 2021 and I'm still working my way through that. Biggest skin cream container I've ever seen. 😀

Initially I thought the condition was just becasue I was getting old but when PMR was first diagnosed and I was on 20mg Pred daily the skin problem on my head went away. That got me thinking it was something worth following up rather than just putting up with. I happened to be at 20mg for a short time recently and the condition cleared up again, but now that I'm back near 5mg the itchy lumps are back, and the lotion is getting more regular use.

[jarn in reply to pata63]

Ahaaaa. Had never heard of that but glad it was diagnosed. Happy Thanksgiving from Canada!

[cmToddy]

Hi. My hair has gone frizzy and then since I have been on steroids. In addition at the grand age of 69 I have a face full of acne , the first time ever. It’s a devil. X