Cutaneous Atrophy and Alopecia After Greater Occipital Nerve Injection Using Triamcinolone
October 2012
in “
Headache The Journal of Head and Face Pain
”
TLDR Triamcinolone injections for headaches can cause skin thinning and hair loss.
The document reported on the occurrence of cutaneous atrophy and alopecia in 4 patients following greater occipital nerve (GON) injections using triamcinolone and lidocaine for headache treatment. While GON infiltration was generally well tolerated and effective, particularly in cluster headache, corticosteroid-related side effects such as Cushing's syndrome and local cutaneous changes were noted. The study suggested that alternative steroid preparations like methylprednisolone and betamethasone might be more suitable for GON blockade to avoid these adverse effects.