Cushing’s syndrome is a hormonal disorder that causes symptoms known as Cushingoid facies or Cushingoid appearance. Moon face has several causes, including long-term steroid use and certain health conditions. Using steroid medication like prednisone for a long time is often the cause. The medical term for this is moon facies, but other people call it cortisol face. Moon face is a common side effect of corticosteroid use and a symptom of certain health conditions. Related symptoms like a slow heart rate from prednisone should be evaluated immediately. Moon face is when fat deposits build up along the sides of your face, causing severe swelling. Use profiles to select personalised content. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. By Amber J. TrescaTresca is a writer and speaker who covers digestive conditions, including IBD. A healthy diet and regular physical activity can help you lose weight everywhere, including your face. If hypothyroidism causes moon face, your doctor may prescribe medications like levothyroxine to replace missing thyroid hormones. If you've been taking corticosteroids for a long time at a high dose, you may need to lower the dose very slowly every week or every few weeks. If treatment is effective, all of the symptoms of Cushing's syndrome, including moon face, will eventually disappear. If moon face is bothering you, talk to your healthcare provider. The dosage needs to be gradually reduced (tapered) under the guidance of a healthcare provider. The effects stem from the fact that corticosteroids act like cortisol, a stress hormone that the body produces naturally. Dr. Megan Milne, PharmD, BCACP, is an award-winning clinical pharmacist board certified in the types of conditions people take prednisone for. With Nutranize Zone, you can support your body, replenish lost nutrients, and minimize the impact of prednisone side effects. I feel like a normal person again, I have energy to play with my daughter, and I don’t feel like I am in a fog all the time!!! One survey I conducted revealed that 53% candy96.fun of people taking prednisone found moon face to be one of the most bothersome side effects. They’ll want to gradually reduce your dosage to help your body adjust. Don’t stop taking your medication without speaking with your provider. Your provider may recommend taking another steroid or stopping the steroid use altogether. Taking a lower dosage may reduce the appearance of moon face over time. Treatment for moon face depends on the cause of your condition. They may be able to offer alternative treatment options. If you have moon face, you may feel embarrassed or self-conscious. Not everyone who takes corticosteroids gets moon face. Moon face can be difficult to predict, so it’s hard to prevent. This often results in weight gain and facial swelling, making moon face a common symptom. Corticosteroids are used for various conditions, but moon face is commonly linked to long-term use. Amongst its many roles, cortisol regulates insulin levels and balances fluid and salt. Moon face can arise from several causes, with long-term use of corticosteroids being among the most common.