Patchy Hair Loss: Alopecia Areata

[Whiskeyportal]

Dr.Steve. I'm 29 and have always had a full head of hair. In the last couple years I've been developing small patches of areas on my face that have stopped growing hair. I now have a small patch on my head that is as bald as bald gets. it's a perfect circle about 1 inch around. My mothers father had a full head of hair until the day he died, my older brother has normal hair. Any ideas why I am balding all over my head in small little patches?

[Dr Steve]

Originally Posted by Whiskeyportal

Dr.Steve. I'm 29 and have always had a full head of hair. In the last couple years I've been developing small patches of areas on my face that have stopped growing hair. I now have a small patch on my head that is as bald as bald gets. it's a perfect circle about 1 inch around. My mothers father had a full head of hair until the day he died, my older brother has normal hair. Any ideas why I am balding all over my head in small little patches?

Yep, you have "Alopecia Areata", a condition that causes patchy hair loss on the scalp and sometimes also the face.


This is a picture of a pretty severe case:




A dermatologist can help you out with this...the theory is that the body for some reason attacks the hair producing cells of the head, causing hair loss. 25% of the time, alopecia areata goes away by itself. For the other 75%, steroids generally help. They'll probably check a thyroid test on you as well, as there is some relationship between low thyroid and alopecia areata.

Hang in there, let us know how it goes.


your friend,


Steve

[Whiskeyportal]

rough. Thanks for the info Dr. Steve I guess I'll just shave my remaining luscious locks off and hope for the best

[Furtherman]

I have this above my left ear. You just have remind whoever cuts your hair to leave it a little bit longer than the rest and no one will notice.

I had a dermatologist stick needles in my head for a while to try and stimulate growth but it didn't work. And if you think needles in your arms are bad, I don't recommend in the head. Ouch.

[spellDwhy]

I think that you can eat some nuts. It's very well. Perhpas you can used a hair accessories . Hoped that it can help you.

[smarty44]

Hmm sounds like a serious condition. Have you tried using tomato juice in your shampoo? No joke it works

[jackmors]

My father had a similar problem, he lost also his hair, probably he suffered from Alopecia Areata. He contacted various doctors and they all suggested different hair loss remedies but none of them could really help. So my father just accepted it and didn't try more treatments.