Advise from others with Alopecia Areata?

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I found out last week that I have Alopecia Areata. So far I have not had any significant hair loss (I have 4 quarter-sized patches). I did some research and found out that there are several treatment options, both prescription and over-the-counter.

Any personal experiences with either treatment or coping with this condition would be greatly appreciated. If it helps any, I'm neither elderly nor a child.
I am 36 and have had AA for the past 7 years. It began with just a small quarter size patch, I was not too alarmed. about 3 months later it had gone nuts and I had about 4 spots on my crown that were spreading like wildfire. I went into a panic!! I began to see a derm and began injections. They have helped somewhat but the hair is going to do what it wants and run its own course regardless of what you do. I have accepted this over the years. I had a time when my hair went curly which was wonderful and beautiful but then last fall it began to really fall out again and I lost most of the hair. I wear it in strange little twists now. I think the sun this summer has helped as it is coming back almost in full minus a few little spots. I know it will probably never go away but I figure it does not define me and it is only hair. I have my health otherwise and you have to stay positive!  (+ info)

I have just been diagnosed with Traction Alopecia. How can I start my hair growing again?

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I don't wear braids or have it in tight styles but I don't know what shampoo/conditioner to use or moisturizer. Any help would be appreciated!
my brother has this. there is not much you can do as is it incureable, there are a few things you can try liek tablets and acupuncture but you have to wait untill it comes back. thats if it does  (+ info)

Does anyone know anything about alopecia, and treatment for it?

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I was just curious if anyone had any information about alopecia, and if there is a cure for it. I have had it for a while, but this it the worst it has ever been. It is fairly deppressing for me and I would love to know if there is a cure or some sort of treatment.
Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss that occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, which is where hair growth begins. Experts do not know why the immune system attacks the follicles. Alopecia areata is most common in people younger than 20, but children and adults of any age may be affected

Rarely, complete loss of scalp hair and body hair occurs. The hair loss often comes and goes—hair will grow back over several months in one area but will fall out in another area.

When alopecia areata results in patches of hair loss, the hair usually grows back in 6 months to 1 year. Although the new hair is usually the same color and texture as the rest of the hair, it sometimes is fine and white.

Because hair usually grows back within a year, you may decide not to treat alopecia areata.

If you choose not to treat the condition and wait for your hair to grow back, you may wish to:

Wear hairpieces or hair weaves. Hairpieces are made from human or synthetic hair that is implanted into a nylon netting. Hairpieces may be attached to the scalp with glue, metal clips, or tape. Hair weaving involves sewing or braiding pieces of longer hair into existing hair.
Use certain hair care products and styling techniques. Hair care products or perms may make hair appear thicker. Dyes may be used to color the scalp. However, continual use of perms or dyes may result in more hair loss.
The most common treatment for patchy hair loss is many injections of corticosteroids into the scalp, about 1 cm (0.4 in.) apart, every 4 to 6 weeks. Limited research reports that hair grows back at the site of injection in some people.

Contact immunotherapy may be the most effective treatment for severe alopecia areata. A medication is "painted" on the scalp once a week. Hair growth may appear within 3 months of beginning treatment. A review of research on contact immunotherapy notes that about half of those with severe alopecia areata had a good response, but how much hair grew back varied widely. Side effects of contact immunotherapy include a severe rash (contact dermatitis) and swollen lymph nodes, especially in the neck.

Other medications used to treat alopecia areata include minoxidil (Rogaine), anthralin, and cyclosporine. Anthralin is sometimes used in combination with minoxidil. These medications affect the immune system and may stimulate hair growth, but they do not prevent hair loss.  (+ info)

How do you cope with Alopecia?

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I have had Alopecia since I was born. I'm now 27 years old. My spots come and go. I'm married and have a wonderful husband who has known from day 1 about my hair loss. I'm just wondering how other people in the world are coping with this?
i have a form of alopecia and i'm a hair stylist, ironic huh? i just remember it's something i can't control and i just have to move on. eventually, i'll have to get a wig but, then i think"well i can be a blond one day, a redhead the next, etc...." i just think there are worse things that can be happening to me.  (+ info)

how can i cover alopecia patches; has anyone ever had a temporary tattoo to cover them?

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the patches are about the size of 50p ,i have 9 ,some smaller . any ideas or tips would be very helpful. Does any one have any experience of things to stimulate growth?
firstly stop worrying as this will not help your condition.

I'm assuming you have "alopecia areata" - small baldness in circular areas of the scalp!

i trust these r not alopecia traction? - caused by the pulling or tight braiding?

my best and "quickfix" solution to u is to go on the sallys hair and beauty website (or a wholesaler- they sell to both trade and non trade) and get the american dream quickfix clip-in extent ions. they are about £16.99 for one. (this should be enough to cover what need them for). plus they are 100%human hair so u can heat style them

simple cut to lengh and size clip-in and away u go.

tattooing is not only painful and expensive it is only going to cover the pieces you have now, should ur condition occur again it would not necessary be in the same places.

my mum had to have a skin graft done an the "scar" is as big as a jam jar lid, right in the front of her hair in the hairline. we use these and they work a treat. sadly for her her hair will never grown back but yours will!!!

hope this helps.  (+ info)

What are the chances that a mother with alopecia passes the disease to her child?

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My sister has suffered from alopecia for over 10 years,now she has a daughter who is 5...could she have passed it to her?!
It's possible for your sister's daughter to have alopecia.

"Scientists do not know exactly why the hair follicles undergo these changes, but they suspect that a combination of genes may predispose some people to the disease. In those who are genetically predisposed, some type of trigger--perhaps a virus or something in the person's environment--brings on the attack against the hair follicles.

If you have a close family member with the disease, your risk of developing it is slightly increased. If your family member lost his or her first patch of hair before age 30, the risk to other family members is greater. Overall, one in five people with the disease have a family member who has it as well."  (+ info)

Plagued with alopecia and really want eyebrows and eyelashes?

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I was wondering if there are any naturally looking false eyebrows good for people with my condition. I've tried false eyelashes, but they need existing lashes to hold them up. What are my options besides surgery?
Have you tried a lash growth serum such as Jan Marini's Age Intervention Lash or Revitalash? They both work not only on lashes but on brows as well. To be honest, I have not had a client with alopecia so I am unsure if this would help but it's worth a try. Other than that, permanent cosmetics such for brows have become very popular and, if you research your artist and find someone who really knows what they're doing, the outcome can be beautiful. Here are some links that might help.

Jan Marini Age Intervention Lash - http://www.janmarini.com/AgeInterventionEyelashConditioner.html

Revitalash -http://revitalash.com/?gclid=CKKw2erYr48CFQ2aOAodlksNNA

Jan Marini Age Intervention Hair -http://www.janmarini.com/AgeInterventionHair.html

Wake Up in your Make-Up - http://www.wakeupinyourmakeup.com/page/page/1301749.htm

This last link is a forum for certified technicians in permanent make-up. If you will post in there, they can help give you the answers you need. There may even be an artist close to you. At the very least they will give you guidelines on what to look for in an artist and, they will be able to direct you to photos of good AND bad jobs so you can see the difference. Just remember, most people that we deal with on an every day basis are 5 or MORE feet away from us. The photos on some of those pages are very, very close but are beautiful examples of jobs well done.

Hope you found this helpful and I hope you find a way of dealing with your alopecia short of surgery.

Good luck to you,
LR  (+ info)

Has anyone ever had success from home remedies for alopecia?

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I was considering using home remedies, but I've realized there are so many suggestions and wondered if they were worth it.
Natural hair loss remedies are a gentler, yet still effective alternative to treating hair loss than the harsh chemicals found in synthetic over-the-counter and prescription products.

Hair is mostly made from a fibrous protein called keratin, which is also found in fingernails and toenails. The supply of nutrient-rich blood to the scalp and hair follicles is essential in promoting healthy hair growth and preventing hair loss.

Natural hair loss remedies can help hair grow stronger and more plentiful by nourishing it at the roots, stimulating blood flow and nutrients to the hair follicles, thereby promoting healthy hair growth and slowing down excessive hair loss.  (+ info)

What blood test must be do to find if alopecia is androgenic or autoimmune?

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I am the only person in my family with this disease and the hormons tests are o.k but I have many simptoms for thyroid disease.
Have you any advice?
Thanks.
As far as I am aware Alopecia is not autoimmune. I have known people who have had the condition for five years and then suddenly it has vanished. Some Docs say it is stress, others bacterial the list is endless but your hair will eventually grow back, when I cannot say.  (+ info)

What can I do about my alopecia areata ?

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I have it since I was 7 and it keeps going and coming back after a painful treatment. Also not forgeting the injections they use cause weight gain.I am so sick of it , today after my long workout and I saw a wide bold space in my hair? What can I do about ?
Sunny,
Current evidence suggests that alopecia areata is caused by an abnormality in the immune system. This particular abnormality leads to autoimmunity. As a result, the immune system attacks particular tissues of the body. In alopecia areata, for unknown reasons, the body's own immune system attacks the hair follicles and disrupts normal hair formation. Biopsies of affected skin show immune cells inside of the hair follicles where they are not normally present. What causes this is unknown. Alopecia areata is sometimes associated with other autoimmune conditions such as allergic disorders, thyroid disease, vitiligo, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis. Sometimes, alopecia areata occurs within family members, suggesting a role of genes and heredity. Treatment is not mandatory because the condition is benign, and spontaneous remissions and recurrences are common. Treatments used are believed to stimulate hair growth, but no evidence indicates they can influence the ultimate natural course of alopecia areata. Treatment modalities usually are considered first according to the extent of hair loss and the patient's age. Assessment of the efficacy of a treatment must be considered with care because the condition is highly unpredictable in presentation, evolution, and response to treatment. Little data exist regarding the natural evolution of the condition. The high spontaneous remission rate makes clearly assessing the true efficacy of a therapy difficult unless appropriate controls with placebo treatment are studied. Because alopecia areata is believed to be an autoimmune condition, different immunomodulators have been used to treat this condition. Additional treatment options for alopecia areata include minoxidil and other treatment modalities.



ALL ANSWERS SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED, IN ANY FORUM AND ESPECIALLY IN THIS ONE. - MANY ANSWERS ARE FLAWED.

It is extremely important to obtain an accurate diagnosis before trying to find a cure. Many diseases and conditions share common symptoms.


The information provided here should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

I add a link with some details of this subject

http://dermatology.about.com/
cs/hairloss/a/alopeciaareata.htm


Hope this helps
matador 89  (+ info)

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