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Humira and Hair Loss??

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 8/23/2008 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all,


I have been losing my hair since starting steroids 5 years ago, and it got worse for the 2 weeks after my Remicade infusions, but now that I'm on Humira, it's falling out constantly, in very large amounts. I have very little left to even make a full ponytail, and in pictures, I can see how much of my scalp is visible, it's very disheartening, especially for a former hairdresser! Is this something others have experienced with Humira, and if so, is there anything your doctors have told you could help? Thanks!

Post Edited By Moderator (ivy6) : 8/23/2008 5:28:36 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/23/2008 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
Looking at your medication list, you are taking several medications that can cause hair loss. Prednisone, Plaquinil, Asacol, and the anti-THFs [Remicade and Humira] all can cause hair loss. How much folic acid are you getting each day? How much B12?
Posted 8/23/2008 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on Humira and Asacol and haven't lost as nearly as much hair (hardly noticiable) as when on Prednisone.
Posted 8/24/2008 1:12 AM (GMT 0)

I am so sorry to hear of your hairloss and boy can I relate!

I have been on and off steriods for almost 8 years and have taken every Crohn's med known to man. I really started losing clumps of hair while I was on 6-MP and Remicade. I have been off Remicade and 6-MP for almost 3 years and have been on Humira for almost 2 years. When I stopped the 6-MP, the hair loss really slowed down, but I didn't seem to be getting any regrowth. My hair also looked horribly fried and damaged. I asked many doctors for suggestions....they just didn't seem to think that my hair issue was of great importance and told me to stop being so vain! :(

Last January I was so depressed over my hair, that I resorted to hair extenstions and I started taking Biosil drops and Biotin. Wow! My hair is growing back (along with my nails) and looking so healthy and much thicker. Every time I take the extensions out and put in new ones, I can really see a difference.

I wish you the best!

Posted 8/24/2008 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
Ides, I'm taking 1000mcg of B12 and 800mcg of folic acid....2 a piece per day, she never really gave me an exact amount to take, just said, read these and take this please lol.

I've been on Asacol for almost 6 years now, Entocort almost as long, and prednisone for about 5 years, and I've had some hair loss with those. Moreso with Remicade, of course, but NEVER like this. At this rate I will have no hair in a year.

Lisa, I wish I could do hair extensions! My husband and I were just talking about this last night. The worst 2 bald spots are right smack dab in the front of my head and right on the side, both very visible, where I don't really know if I can put anything in there. I can't afford really quality extensions, I was thinking like the Jessica Simpson ones in Sally Beauty Suppy lolol. It's sad! I'm glad you are having luck though! My hair also looks fried and frizzy, it was always very silky and shiny.....it's terrible. I will look into those Biosil drops and Biotin though, thanks!
Posted 8/24/2008 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
Before I started the Biosil and Biotin drops I also had bald spots and couldn't have hair extensions without them showing. I acutally found a reasonable wig shop and found a nice wig for about $45.00 that I wore when I went out in public.

After about a month of using the Biosil and Biotin, the bald spots filled in and I was able to switch to the hair extensions. The first one I bought was Jessica Simpson :).....the hair wasn't bad....just a pain to put on. I now have permanent ones that are a little pricey! Since my hair started falling out I stopped getting haircuts and weaves, that is how I jusfiy the extenison. What I would pay in one year of color and cut covers the cost of my extensions for the year.

By any chance are you blonde? I have a really nice clip in piece that I have only used once. I would be happy to send it to you if you are interested! :) Let me know.
Posted 8/24/2008 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hair loss is listed as a side effect of Humira. I suggest that you talk to your prescribing physician since this became significantly worse since you started the Humira. I'm not sure if there is anything to counteract the problem.
Posted 8/24/2008 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much! My hair is black, but thanks for the offer! I will definitely look those products up NOW then, and maybe I can start them and be able to do something with this hair, or lackthereof! I've seriously thought about ust shaving it off and buying a wig, Britney did it, why can't I?? :P
Posted 8/25/2008 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
Okay, I'm scared now. I have been losing my hair but I thought it was from tapering of prednisone. I started Humira Feb 4, 2008 and I didn't start losing my hair til July after I decreased my pred dose to 5 mg. I told my Dr. and he seemed to think it was from the pred. also. I am taking Biotin also and usin Nioxin hair products.
Posted 9/12/2010 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
I have just come across this group as I was searching for hair loss & Humira and have been reading the posts. I have noticed a lot of thinning since starting Humira about 3 years ago. I saw that Biotin and Biosil have worked for one person and wondered how much of each of these supplements I should take. I have been taking Biotin 2mg twice a day for over a year but haven't really noticed a difference so maybe it is not enough or perhaps the Biosil would be more effective.
My second questions is hair loss/thinning a side effect of all anti-THFs or just Humira? I gave Simponi a try earlier this year but it wasn't as effective as Humira for my psoriatic arthritis. I also have a host of digestive issues but have never seen anything before this that suggests it might be related to psoriatic arthritis.
Posted 9/13/2010 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
My hair is falling out by the handfulls as well.  I get so depressed every morning after my shower when I pick up all the hair that has accumulated in the drain.  Does it stop as your body gets used to the meds or does it just continue until you're bald??  It really has me worried.  Hubby kind of laughs and points to his bald head and says he'll love me whether I'm bald or not.  That's sweet, but it doesn't help.  I'm taking 800 mg of folic acid and lots of vitamin D but it doesn't seem to be slowing down.  I'm definitely going to look into the Biosil and Biotin!
Posted 9/13/2010 5:07 AM (GMT 0)
Make sure to take chewable vitamins or liquid supplements. You might not be absorbing vitamin pills well. There are also hair conditioners that have nutrients in them. You could slather some into your scalp to try to absorb some nutrients into your roots. I just checked online, and it could also be due to protein or iron deficiency. What does your doctor have to say about it? Good luck! It's really sweet that your husband is really understanding.
Posted 9/13/2010 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
My GI doc had mentioned to me to take zinc as well...I had had thick hair and had lost more than 3/4 of it...and if I had had had thinner hair, I WOULD have been bald...but when I don't take my zinc for a few days the hair will start falling out...
Posted 9/13/2010 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
My hair has been falling out lately...I never knew Humira was a cause of that, I just assumed it was falling out because I'm so sick/lack of nutrients/etc.

I too have thick hair so luckily I haven't noticed bald spots yet...I'm really hoping it doesn't come to that. It's really embarrassing when clumps fall out in places other than my own home, like at work. Ick.
Posted 9/16/2010 2:29 AM (GMT 0)
I have hair loss with my humira too plus other side effects, but please report your side effects to the fda so the docs will listen to us. I am sick of being sick & having horable side effects with the drugs that are suppose to make us well. The drug companys need to know what we are going through. I think the side effects of humira are worse than what its doing to help me. ugh Plus I have mood swings like crazy
Posted 9/19/2010 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on cimzia now for 16 mos and my hair is fried.  I too thought it was from lack of absorption but now reading these posts, I'm blaming the Cimzia.  I've tried all the supplements too in every form and my hair is soo thin it's embarrassing. 
Posted 3/21/2015 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
I have crohn's and was on Remicade until I had to go off of it for surgery to remove an mass in my small intestine that was causing all my troubles...

I went back on it after surgery and had an allergic reaction to it, now I am on Humira -started it in or around Oct - Nov. 2014 and am now suffering from hair loss due to using humira.. waiting to see a dermatologist but the waiting list is long... I have bald patches on my head where the hair has fallen out... it is itchy and a general pain in the ass. when I get an answer from dermatology I will update
Posted 3/22/2015 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
I've been on Humira for 13 months, no more hair loss than usual...I'm wondering how long people have been on it (and other biologics) before they started having some hair loss issues (especially the bald patches yikes!)

The only side effect I get so far is terrible headaches but I'm also on weekly not biweekly shots.
Posted 3/22/2015 9:22 AM (GMT 0)
In all the rubbish we have to endure with this, hair loss just seems like the lowest kick in the teeth. Yep for anyone reading who thinks 'it's only hair get over it' ... Yes it is only hair and we are all well aware that in health terms is pretty minor. But psychologically it's a big thing... Gets me down out of proportion with what it actually is.

Alot of my hair and I departed company within a few weeks of stating Remi (infliximab) ... So I had it all cropped to an inch in length and died purple. Determined that if it was going it was on my terms. When I moved onto Humira it grew back ... But what I have is sadly frazzled and horrible. But I was relieved something came back.

Then I got new Osteoporosis drugs and off it went again ... This time I took the possibly stupid approach ... Hair over drugs.

Glad and sad to hear that I'm not alone with hair issues!
Posted 3/22/2015 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

My son takes Humira, Methotrexate and Folic acid since November of 2014. Prior to that he had been taking Asacol and 6mp. Since he started in November he has grown back a full head of wavy hair, his hair was in very poor condition with many bald patches while he was on 6mp and Asacol. Needless to say he is delighted every time he passes the mirror he is fixing it.
Posted 4/6/2017 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
I have Crohn's disease and have been on Humira since October. It is the ONLY medication I am on. It has done wonders for my gut, but in the last month I have noticed excessive hair loss. I also have terrible muscle aches/fatigue. After learning that Humira can cause MS, AND seeing piles of my hair on the floor each morning, I finally went in to see my specialist. He told me to listen to my body, and that he supports my decision to stop the Humira. Apparently, it has a half life of 2.5 months...but I'm praying the hair loss slows down before that. I am taking biotin and folic acid, and a hair grow system called Viviscal (recommended by my dermatologist). So far, nothing is helping. If anyone has any advice to slow this hair loss, that would be amazing! I also have to go have an EMG done, to make sure my muscles aren't deteriorating. As amazing as Humira has been for my stomach, the side effects (for me) were not worth it.
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