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I was in the process of oiling my scalp (with jojoba) because it has been very itchy lately, and I found a quarter sized bald spot at the top of my head!
I was diagnosed with lupus 20 years ago but it hadn't affected my hair until about 8 years ago when most of the hair in my crown fell out. After a couple of rough years, I found LHCF and nursed my hair back to health. I thought I had this alopecia thing under control. So, this is quite a blow.
Reaching out for advice from any former alopecia sufferers out there. The thought of losing my hair again has me terrified!!
Thanks and God bless.
I was in the process of oiling my scalp (with jojoba) because it has been very itchy lately, and I found a quarter sized bald spot at the top of my head!
Thanks and God bless.
Lynnie B had this spot balding too. Check out her Fotki and hopefully she'll find your thread. Sure did, thanks Carrie A.![]()
I have Alopecia Areata and the best thing I can recommend is going to the dermatologist and getting the shot. Within a couple of days you should start to see hair and the spot should grow in fully within a month. Without the shots it usually takes about 3 to 4 months to fill in. This wont stop other spots from occuring though, but vitamins are also very helpful. HTH
mspm, here it is:
http://public.fotki.com/IsItOnlyHair/alopecia/alopecia-areata/
Pictures are there and if you click on them, there's a description of it as well as my derms diagnosis (alopecia areata) and the scripts he gave me to use. There was a 2nd spot behind my ear that I never noticed until much later
and here is what I believe to be the cause of it.:
http://public.fotki.com/IsItOnlyHair/fire/our-home/
A reaction to the pure horror and terror of this and the stressful time afterwards dealing with a hateful insurance company.
If you are feeling that awful horrid itching, it's a sign that the condition is in an active phase. The foams and ointments (topical steriods) I used stopped some of the insanity and could have allowed the follicles to calm down and restart themselves - I just can't tell you for sure. I also used a mix of rosemary EO diluted with sweet almond oil and dabbed witchhazel on the spot to calm down the creepy crawlies pins and needles that always seemed to proceed a round of fallouts.
The spot was bald as an egg and just as smooth. Eventually fine, blond vellus hairs began growing in followed by the hair you'd see on a newborn baby. It took a looooooong time and I was so discouraged every time I'd look in the mirror, when I tried to style my hair to conceal the spots, whenever I put my hand in my head and felt that spot. My husband even got my family to try and lie to me whenever I asked them if the spot looked like it was getting bigger - they'd say no even though I was in total denial and knew darned good and well it was getting worse. Every shower there'd be strands all over the shower floor, the walls, in my hands, on me.
Lots of tears followed by acceptance, dealing with it best I could and then hope as it began coming back. I know you know how this all works, unfortunately.
Sis, I do know EXACTLY how devastated you feel but I don't want you to give up and surrender to discouragement. It's so hard and so difficult but it is something you must to do for your own peace of mind.
My derm said it was fine to try herbal/holistic remedies and suggested I could try Rogaine or Monoxidil but not to get too optimistic that either one would work and if they did work, the growth may fall out as soon as I stopped using it so I didn't even bother trying the Rogaine. I also started taking biotin, MSM and a good multi. I also avoided combing any hair in the vicinity of the bald patch. I figured if I kept messing around that area I'd be causing more hair to fall
I didn't try any of the growth aides the ladies here suggest - I don't know why, I just didn't want to go there but if you think for one moment that they will help, please try them. Make sure you talk to a derm about it first though - I actually called mine on the phone and asked questions on EO's after reading some info on nappturality's hair loss forums.
I know I'm not much help and I wish I had a magic cure for every single woman whose had to deal with any kind of hair loss but I don't. I do have lots of admiration and empathy and you also have my positive thoughts and prayers that your hair will recover with time and tlc.
Don't loose hope, you can get through this girl. Take encouragement that if you've been through it once and had regrowth, you can do it again. As horrible as it is, it can be so much worse.
Take care of yourself, your mind and body. Try to avoid as much stress as possible and stay positive!
{{{{Hugs}}}} to you.
AwwLadies,
Just wanted to thank you again for the advice and encouragement. I went to the doctor and he confirmed that I have AA. He gave me the shots (which were not as bad as I imagined) and some topical medicine. He said that my follicles are healthy and he felt that my hair will definitely start to grow back within 6 weeks.
Hugs to you all!!