Hair Loss

[Lam123]

Hi everyone,
Ok, so I got into a flare in early May 2014, symptoms weren't too bad, but for some reason it took me much longer to get it under control, compared to previous flares. I was on prednisone for a lot longer then I am used to. During the flare, I changed humira to weekly and started imuran aswell. I came off prednisone early September. Early November I noticed more hair falling out in the shower and in my hair brush. I went to my GI yesterday and he does not think it is anything to do with the crohns or meds. I have stopped imuran, for different reasons.

I thought for sure the meds would be causing this? Should I see my family dr and ask for blood work?

 

[ronroush7]

I would at least ask him what is going on?

 

[Katezxx]

Whilst I was on prednisolone my hair began to fall out and I definetely put this down to the meds as since I stopped the steroids it hasn't happened since. I'm in the UK and I used Kadus vital booster shampoo to help with the re-growth of my hair.

 

[ronroush7]

I have had some hair loss and I attribute that to the medicine.

 

[Lam123]

I just find it odd that a few months after starting imuran I start shedding quite a bit. I know imuran takes a few months to kick in. Plus I was on high dose of steroids all summer. I will definitely ask the family dr, but I am still thinking this is crohns related.
Anyone else have hair loss then go off of imuran and notice a difference in their hair?
So far I have changed shampoo to a biotin shampoo and started taking a supplement. Not sure what else to do. I stopped blowdrying aswell.

 

[Lam123]

Especially when it clearly states that imuran can cause hair loss and can take 4-6 months to leave your body completely.

 

[RNGirl]

I know crohns and the meds we take for it can potentially cause hair loss, but try cutting out sulfates (sodium laurel sulfate) in your shampoo. I was losing hair by the handfuls until I switched to sulfate free shampoo.

 

[marshayates]

Im having the same problems with hair coming out. I had bowel resection in 9/2014 so i have been on so many different medicines. The only thing i can think of that makes sense for me is protein deficiency. I did start making more of an effort to eat more protein and take more vitamins.

 

[Lam123]

Where can I get sulphate free shampoo?
I agree with the vitamins, I am making sure I take mine everyday too.

 

[DEmberton]

My hair got very thin when I was anemic over the summer. As a middle aged man I thought it was just the inevitable, but I'm pleased to say it came back a lot thicker once I had surgery and got healthy again.

So if they're not keeping an eye on your bloodwork it's probably a good idea to have that done.

 

[Lam123]

My GI just did bloodwork and everything came back normal. I know he checks B12 and iron

 

[RNGirl]

L'Oreal makes a sulfate free shampoo and conditioner. It's called: EverPure Sulfate-Free Color Care System. It's made for color treated hair but I use it because it's sulfate free. I use sulfate free tooth paste and shower soap too. Sulfates can accumulate in your body and add to the sulfate load you are getting. Just my theory maybe, but seeing a significant change in my hair loss.

 

[Lam123]

Ok, thx. Do you blow dry your hair? I read that when this happens u should stop blow drying?

 

[RNGirl]

Yes, I blow dry. Put argon oil on the ends of my wet hair too. Not a lot just a little rubbed in the palms of my hands then to the ends etc. I have some pure argon oil from Josie Maron. Use it on my face and skin too. Trying to detoxify the chemicals I am ingesting and putting on my body. We wouldn't put garbage in our car and expect it to perform.

 

[Lam123]

Where do you get it from?

 

[RNGirl]

You can get it on line from QVC (the shopping channel). I just bought her line of mostly natural cosmetics at least more natural than I had been using.

 

[Lam123]

Ok, thank you for your help. I really appreciate it.

 

[RNGirl]

Good luck to you. Hope this helps--take care!

 

[Sid-Holistic]

Hair loss is extremely common with Ulcerative colitis, Crohn's etc due to the body not being able to absorb much nutrients from food (because of the damage to intestines). Steroids and anti-inflammatory meds can cause hair fall. My GI specialist at first refused to see the connection between my severe hair loss and UC.
After 4 years, I have finally managed to stop my hair loss with diet changes and homeopathy. If I hadn't discovered homeopathic medicine, I probably would have been subjected to an ostomy bag. I am now free of symptoms, and would like to extend my help (I treat using a holistic homeopathic approach to health) to fellow sufferers of UC and other digestive diseases.

Feel free to shoot me a msg

 

[MissCadenza]

I had pretty bad hair loss when I started on Imuran but now after a year and a bit of taking multivitamins every day, treating my hair right (read: cheating with volumising shampoo!) and eating as well as I can, it's pretty much stopped.

This is the good thing about hair - if it starts to thin you can cheat your way to looking good. And one trick that I use is to spritz protein spray on it (I use Label M, it's the best stuff but I'm not sure if you can get it where you're from), then thickening spray (I use Bumble & Bumble) then blow dry with your head upside down and aim your dryer at the roots. When you flip your head back up your hair will look lovely and full.

Also brush your hair with your head upside down then flip up. One lovely volumised head of hair, voila!

 

[Lam123]

Thank you! I will look on amazon and see if I can buy those products. I have started taking my vitamins faithfully and eating as good as I can. I also find blowdrying makes it look really thick. Where are u located? US?

 

[dreamintwilight]

I am currently on weekly Humira shots plus 125mg of Imuran daily (been on this combo for almost 4 years) and I started noticing more hair falling out around 2013, perhaps due to an increase in Imuran. I switched to an all-natural shampoo (https://www.desertessence.com/store/jojoba-shampoo-strengthening) and started taking 5000 mcg of biotin daily. I think it's helping somewhat, but I've always had thin hair and I think hair loss actually runs on my mom's side, so it could be partially due to that. I think the biotin is doing the best it can because I've noticed my nails growing a lot more quickly than they used to. I also rarely blowdry my hair, unless I'm dressing up for an event. Otherwise, I'll let it air dry or put it up in a bun. I've thought about switching to gelatin powder (http://www.amazon.com/Great-Lakes-G...n+powder&pebp=1422052308522&peasin=B005KG7EDU) instead of biotin capsules, just because it's supposed to be more easily absorbed by the body and good for hair, skin, and nails.

I'm not sure if my hair loss is due to age, genetics, Crohn's, medication, or it could be a combination of all of those things, but I can definitely empathize. Depending on where your inflammation is, I've heard that many people with Crohn's located in their ileum are deficient in B vitamins because that's where they are absorbed. So, if you still have inflammation it's harder to absorb those vitamins, all of which contribute to healthy teeth, hair and nails!

 

[Nancye50]

Redken has a product called "ceraphil" with a whole line of related products to help restore hair loss like this. I used a Bosley product that was very similar when I was recovering from my first flare. I felt like it was mostly due to adrenal fatigue after steroids. But I'm also on Humira now. My hair is grown back in. And curlier than ever!
I think Biotin in heavy doses can be a guy irritant.