Suspected Calcinosis Cutis and Demodicosis Secondary to Exogenous Steroid Administration in a Dog with Hypoadrenocorticism

The user has been using oral finasteride for 15 months and oral minoxidil for 6 months, and developed alopecia areata, for which a dermatologist prescribed calcipotriol/betamethasone. The treatment is helping, but the user is experiencing another shedding phase and is concerned about the effects of the steroid cream and the cause of hair loss.

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) impacts various skin conditions, including Androgenetic alopecia and seborrheic dermatitis, by causing overactivity in sebaceous glands. Topical medications Tacrolimus and Clobetasol can reduce these inflammatory conditions, and treatments like RU58841, Minoxidil, and Finasteride may also be beneficial.

The user is experiencing diffuse thinning and receded hairline, using dutasteride, minoxidil, and ketoconazole without regrowth, and was prescribed clobetasol propionate 0.05% with salicylic acid for possible inflammation. Other users caution against using the strong steroid without a serious condition, sharing experiences of adverse effects and alternative treatments for scalp issues.

Corticosterone inhibits GAS6, affecting hair follicle stem-cell activity, with potential implications for stress-related hair loss. Ashwagandha and Vitamin K are suggested for reducing cortisol, but their effectiveness is debated.

The user is experiencing diffuse thinning and inflammation despite using 2.5mg dutasteride daily, ciclopirox, and ketoconazole shampoos. They are considering treatments like hydroxychloroquine and JAK inhibitors due to suspected scarring alopecia and have faced challenges in obtaining a scalp biopsy.

A user noticed irregularities on their scalp using a digital microscope and suspects scarring alopecia, despite using minoxidil and finasteride. Other users suggest seborrheic dermatitis as a possible cause and recommend treatments like ketoconazole shampoo, sulfur soap, selenium sulfide shampoo, and apple cider vinegar rinses.