Alopecia World
www.alopeciaworld.com
Steroid cream
My daughters dermatologist perscribed a steroid cream which we have been using for 2 weeks on and 1 week off. My question is because her hair is so long every time I apply the cream it makes her hair really greasy. I try really hard not to get it on her hair itself but because her "spots" aren't actually "spots" it's a little difficult. Another thing, I apply it in the evening and she sleeps with it overnight. Is that ok? Or should I be washing it off within a few hours? Also, I notice when I do put the cream there is more hairloss... do you think that could be because her hair is greasy and so when I do wash it all the "dead" hairs that normally would be falling out throughout the day comes out all at once because it is stuck there? Or do you think the cream could be doing this? So many questions... most of them stupid... but I really need some answers, thanks in advance!
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Jules1984 on
-
Forgot to ask another question... her eyebrows seem to be thinning now too and I was wondering if it's ok to apply the steroid cream on them, or is it too close to the eyes? Thanks again.
-
Permalink Reply by Karen Smith on
-
Alopecia is unpredictable. The cream is not usually effective. She may need shots and even those only work sometime. The hair may be looking greasy because it is thinning. That happened to my daughter. Take her back to the dermatologist if she is still losing hair. I am not sure about the eyebrows. I think you should ask the Dr.
-
-
Her hair is not greasy because it is thinning... I know this because the week off her hair was nice and shiny. The cream is making it greasy because like I said it's hard to get the cream on the spots exactly without touching the hair....
-
Permalink Reply by Heather L on
-
Hey Jules,
Well I do know that not everyone has a good results with the steroid cream ( I use a steroid topical foam) I happen to be fortunate and it works well for me. Knock on wood it keeps going that way! :)
First let me say - it has not cured anything for me - it does nothing to prevent new spots from forming - but what it does help me with is that it keeps the spots from getting bigger and it helps the hair grow in much faster. I've been using it for 7 years now - so annually I do check my cortisol levels to make sure I'm not absorbing to much. I've not had any negative side effects thus far. I've also off and on done the steroid shots - for me I do not see enough difference in results between the foam I use and shots to warrant getting the shots... so for about the past 2 years I have stopped the shots.
My hair does not get greasy - in some areas where I really load it on the surrounding hair gets a little wet but dries within minutes. Might be the type of cream you are using. Just once in all the years I"ve used it .. .I had a GREASY mess... I accidentally got the wrong prescription. I use a Clobetasol Propionate foam - .05% call "olux" The time I had the greasy problem I was given Olux -E ( the E = Emollient) It was a disaster ... that lasted one day! Plus I purposely per my doctor put it on the hair immediately surrounding the spot to prevent it falling out - and still do not have the greasy problem. Olux does now come in a generic which is helpful b/c it is expensive! However I do not know whether Olux is suitable for children - I'm sure your doctor would know.
Evening is the best time to put it on - per my doctor. And I that is always how I have done - with the exception if I get a big spot I will do it both morning and night.
No need to wash it off...( unless in your case b/c her hair is to greasy) Unfortunately my guess would be that the hair loss you are seeing is not related to the steroid cream or greasiness but rather just the progression of alopecia.
No most steroid creams are not for faces - would depend perhaps on the strength you are using. Generally use on your face will cause redness/irritation and can cause breakouts/bumps. Plus kids seem to always be touching their face - so i would really worry about it getting in her eyes. Probably not the best idea for a child - but on this site I've talked to a few folks who if they were trying steroids for their eyebrows did the injections but have not come across anyone using a cream for that area.
Hope that helps a little!
-
-
Thanks Heather for your reply... I'm going to be asking the dermatologist about that foam you're talking about. The cream we are using is elocom cream 0.1%. It's extremely hard to washout... I need to shampoo at least twice to get most of it out and even then it's not clean completely. I was giving her baths everday during the week off of the cream and I didn't notice as much hair loss as I did when we were using the cream... I'm scared it could be having the opposite affect. I just wish the hair loss would stop where it is... it's so hard to see it happening right before your eyes. It's been about 2.5 months since we noticed the hair loss and so far I have only seen a small dime sized spot of regrowth...I hope that's a good sign.
Yeah I was just curious about the steroid cream and eyebrow... I know it is way too close for the eye and I wouldn't want to risk it. Do you know of the side effects of getting the cream in the eyes because as I said her hair is really long and it's hard for me to ensure that the "greasy" parts don't touch her eyes... ugghhh I know I should probably cut it off or something but I just want to hold on to it for as long as possible, and well she loves her hair too. Thanks again Heather!
-
-
Bingo! Elocon is oil based. Because of that I'm a little surprised that was prescribed for her scalp. I'm not familiar with Elocon used for alopecia but rather used for psoriasis - where the oil base works well b/c it traps in the moisture and helps with the scaling caused psoriasis. I bet you are having a hard time washing it out - it may be that it is not working but I'd doubt the medicine itself is causing more hair loss. I recall once trying a moisturizing remedy that had olive oil in it.. and gosh It took several washes to get rid of the greasiness! When her hair is dry but still a little greasy - you could put a little baby powder/corn starch in your hands and rub them together so your hands are white but not all loose powder and then rub your hands into her hair and that will absorb a little grease.
I'd certainly ask about switching. What I use ( Olux) is stronger potency. Class 1 - where as Elocon is Class 2 - so I just do not know if if can be used for children. However - another option that is also a class 2 steroid which should be interchangeable is called Lidex ( .o5% - would be comparable to the .1% of Elocon) That should stop the greasiness!!
hmmm - No, I do not exactly what would happen if if got into her eyes - but I'm sure it would hurt and I'd be a little worried about that too. How soon do you think you could talk to her doctor? Switching the steroid would stop that problem... in the meantime .... what about a sweat band - something around her forehead that would absorb any that might run?? I would not try wrapping her scalp/hair - b/c that would increase the amount she is absorbing of the steroid.
I'm so sorry you have to deal with this - I know how badly you want to fix this for your daughter - a helpless feeling I'm sure! If her hair is really thin - cutting it would probably help it look better ... but if it's not that bad I'm with you -- leave it be and let her enjoy it! I do think any signs of hair growth - even if it is dime size is good news! And I think seeing some growth with in 2.5 months is good - but what it will do next is just unclear but I'd hold to the positives! The unpredictability and loss of control is so hard to deal with - I just wish I tell you more! In total I've had this for 21 years and still don't have many answers.
-
-
Interesting... it's funny because we went to see 3 dermatologists. The first one we saw was here in Ottawa and he perscribed her tacrolimus... which we haven't used. We bought the tube, was $90 but when I researched it on the internet I figured it was not worth the possible side effects. People and studies were saying they didn't see any improvement when using this cream. So we went to see two other derms and they both perscribed Elocom cream... one perscribed the liquid and the other perscribed cream. We went with the cream because I didn't want to risk the liquid dripping down into her eyes. The next time we see the dermatologist is in September... but I think I may call him sooner rather than later to see if there is something else they can perscribe. Have you ever used Anthralin? I heard that helps alot too... but it could be itchy or blistering for her. I just wish she were older and going through this because she can't really describe to me the feelings that she is feeling.
You've had AA for 21 years?? How do you deal? How old were you when is started? You must have been very young judging from your picture. How did your parents help you deal? I'm going through all this and I have no idea what to do or say to my baby girl because I know nothing of this disease! She is a gorgeous and outgoing girl and I would hate for all that to change because she is self-conscious about the way she looks.
-
Permalink Reply by Jennifer Jo Strong on
-
Hi Heather I have been dealing with this for about 7 years I use a toical solution clobetasol it is liquid and absorbs quickly and use it twice a day for 2 weeks and off a week then twice a day for 2 weeks I have only gotten injesctions on my eyebrows (pretty painful just a heads up) but got good quick results. If your doctor will allow keep a topical on hand at all times as new spots are always popping up and it will save you a trip to the doctor every time a new spot pops up just for them to tell you Yup you are loosing hair here is a prescription for a topical. I hope this helps. Stay strong and positive this is a constant, frustrating disease that will always be there but know you are not alone in the struggle. Hope this helps
© 2024 Created by Alopecia World.
Powered by
