Acute pancreatitis & hair loss

I’m sorry such a young child has to go through this.  I had an attack of acute necrotizing pancreatitis in Oct 2017 while on vacation in NY.  I spent 3.5 weeks in ICU then was medically flown to MUSC in SC.  They are a pancreatic institute. 

I lost 40+ lbs which put me in malnutrition.  The first thing to go was my hair.  I had to had very long thick healthy hair.  I lost over half my hair.  It’s now April and the hair loss is minimal.  I was terrified as well.  My hair now is paper line.  I could not take anything until Jan  due to the severity of my necrosis .  Once I was able to take supplements I was put on a one a day, Vitamin D and a hair and nail supplement (Biotin).  That helps the hair loss.  Tell her to brush or comb as little as possible along with washing.   Tell her not to run her fingers through her hair.  Touch it as little as possible.  I cut

Mine off to save it.  The longer it is the pulling as brushing just pulls it out worse.  Maybe since hers just started if she gets on supplements now it will slow it down.  I talked to many people about my hair loss.  Don’t waste your money on shampoos etc for hair loss.  The problem is inside.  As I was told until your insides are healthy (vitamins etc) no shampoo will help. Your hair grows from the inside. 

Once she starts getting her inner body right the hair loss will stop. 

I’m here for any questions.  All experiences are different but just recently going through acute I hope I can be of a little help. 

My thoughts and prayers go out for your daughter. 

Thank you so much for your kind words. It is reassuring to know that others are going through the same after effects of pancreatitis. My daughters hair too looks in really poor condition - wiry & brittle.

We were in NY too on vacation from the UK just before it happened - about a week before. I am so thankful that it didn’t happen during our stay there.

She has loads of very long thick brown hair so yes it is tempting to pull through it with a brush to get tangles out - I will get her to put loads of in hair conditioners on it & to try not to over brush it. I will get it straightened off with a good hair cut next week too when we are at home again. I wil, prepare her for the worst too. I have bee getting her to take a daily multi vit but I may need something more focused.

she lost 6 kilos - about 14 pounds so not as much but still enough when you are 14 - luckily she has an athletic frame due to her sport so she still looks well despite the loss of weight. I will look into the biotin too. Xx

I too used to have long thick hair. It started to fall out but I didn’t know why. It took the doctors over a year to diagnose my pancreas conditions. My pancreas specialist advised me my hair should start to grow back after starting the digestive enzymes but that didn’t work. I have a congenital abnormality called Pancreas Divisium (born with two pancreatic ducts that never fused together) which caused the chronic pancreatitis. At first they thought it was my thyroid, I also have Hashimotos (autoimmune thyroid disease) but that was fine. I started taking a herbal supplement called HorseTail and I massage my scalp when watching tv which has seemed to get some growth. Also keep in mind the body needs fat (I was on a really low fat diet because I don’t have a gallbladder) but I wasn’t getting enough fat because my pancreas couldn’t digest it (the enzymes are helping with this). Each person is different but no doctor should ignore your daughter’s symptoms. The flaky skin is semi normal with pancreas issues. I’ve been dealing with it for almost two years now. She needs to stay really hydrated which isn’t easy because we tend to feel nauseous all the time. I hope she feels better soon.  

Hi niawag, I did a bit of reading and was surprised to discover there are many anecdotal reports (from patients not medical studies) regarding hair loss after gallbladder issues and surgery.  

The good news is that it appears to right itself in the majority of cases within months. 

I didn't put my research hat on so didn't delve for medical explanations although no medical studies on the subject popped up.

I'm assuming your daughter has had her bloods tested for any deficiencies since the pancreatitis as the very nature of attacks can (not always) result in certain vitamin deficiencies.  If not ask for a test.  

Stress can exacerbate the problem so whilst it's difficult to calm a young teen with image shattering issues, try to instill a wait and see message.

I assume your daughter had an Acute Pancreatitis attack (not chronic) which means it may not happen again however once one has poked that bear it can reoccur. 

Introducing a low fat diet may help prevent it.  If she does have another attack it's best not to eat for a couple of days, stay hydrated, no alcohol or cigarettes (I know she's too young currently).  As well it's best to eat several small meals a day rather than 3 large meals a day.  This info is just in case, it may never happen.  Good luck.

 

hi im vissen from mauritius im 36 yrs im a severe pancreastitic person im been passing many times in hospital for i get cured by the doctor but unfortuanately my illness is still here and since 2 weeks by now im losting my hair that never arrived in my life but everyday i wake up im seeing hair on my bed even when i take shower also and when i brush my hair too there are plenty hair my chronic pancreastitic is severe one but if i can live more or less is in god hand whatever i will do something for my illness it will be still here so there is no cure for loosing hair but pray god

Hi there,

I hope this message finds you doing better.

My wife recently (March of '22) had a bad episode of Pancreatitus (Chronic was diagnosed).

She has some damage to the organ as well.

She is 58 years old, in very good health, excellent diet, non-smoker and no alcohol at all her whole life.

This just came out of the blue. The doctor said they usually only see her issue from someone who drinks a lot of alcohol. But she never touched any of it.

She was in the hospital for 2 weeks running tests and trying to stabilize.

All blood tests came back just fine.

Triglycerides and cholesterol levels were great and no other issues found in blood test.

She is doing much better now, but is experiencing the hair loss issue as well.

She would normally lose hair in her brushing, but not at this rate.

It has me concerned.

We have done the basic research and her diet is very good for what she can eat.

Eating many smaller meals a day and staying away from Trans/Saturated fats.

(I know she needs some amt of fat to help process Vid-D and perhaps other vitamins, so I'm hoping that the other 2 kinds of fats, mono and poly, would be considered ok in the diet, as well as avocado.)

She can eat lean chicken, ham, tuna fish, haddock and we will be trying salmon perhaps this week.

Potatoes, sweet potatoes, several types of veges.

We are steering away from the obvious; coffee, sugar, fats, etc.

I'm wondering if anyone has had any good results with the hair loss part of things, or good results with any enzyme supplements with minimum side-effects.

Her health, energy, vigor, bowel movements have improved alot.

I'm just concerned about the hair loss part of things now and how we could help this (if it is related to vitamin-D absorption or similar).

I'm so sorry anyone has to go through this.

I appreciate all your advice.

Sincerely,

Jeff