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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Children's health

Alopecia Areata - Anyone have any experience? 10 yo DS

40 replies

DuchessofAnkh · 14/03/2016 10:15

Does anyone have any experience with Alopecia Areata in a child?

DS is 10 and has patchy hair loss, it is difficult to work out what is going on!

OP posts:

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Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 14/03/2016 10:19

Is the hair loss in one place? DD1 developed a large bald patch on one side of her head when she was 12. It turned out that she twisted a chunk of hair when she worked, and it was simply a response to this. Fortunately she was able to break the habit in a couple of weeks (she simply wore a hat when doing homework).

DuchessofAnkh · 14/03/2016 15:46

No - he has about 10 patches ranging from 10p piece sized to the largest which is 3cm

His is just about covering them with a comb-over of the rest of his hair, definitely falling out not being pulled.

OP posts:

Helennn · 14/03/2016 15:49

My son had this as about the same age up until when he was 15, but only one or two patches. It seems to have stopped now. The hairdresser said we should see the doctor but we never did 😊. Have you seen a doctor yet? If so, what did they say? I know it can be an auto-immune type problem.

cestlavielife · 14/03/2016 22:49

Are the patches completely devoud of hsir very smooth ?
My ds had this at 10 he went bald.
Sorry.

Go to gp and Get a referral to dermatologist there are some creams you can try.

Any stress you can relate it too?

slicedfinger · 14/03/2016 22:54

I had this first at about 10. I still get it when I am stressed (actually a few weeks after big stress) and currently have wonky eyebrows.

slicedfinger · 14/03/2016 22:55

I meant to add I've seen various dermatologists etc over the years and never had anything that helped except time.

DuchessofAnkh · 15/03/2016 05:50

We noticed it first around christmas, and went to the GP, the patches seem to have a very little stubbly regrowth, abd GP said just wait it'll grow back.

But it hasn't and if anything has got worse.

You can feel a small amount of very short hair still, but the same as at Christmas.

The patches have increased in size.

OP posts:

slicedfinger · 15/03/2016 08:40

If there is stubble, in my case that would be a good sign of it growing back. It can take ages though. One particularly bad bit of mine took 3 years to fill in properly.

cestlavielife · 15/03/2016 12:46

yes stubble would indicate it may regrow. you can ask dermatologist about trying some creams which may promote regrowth. my ds has no stubble tho at times has appeared to have very fine hair growing.

Alopecia Areata - Anyone have any experience? 10 yo DS

cestlavielife · 15/03/2016 12:48

this shows progress, over few months, in one what remained was cut v close

Alopecia Areata - Anyone have any experience? 10 yo DS

Alopecia Areata - Anyone have any experience? 10 yo DS

cestlavielife · 15/03/2016 12:50

ask for referral tpo dermatologist - ours was nice and we did try a cream but no effect..but might be different you can weigh up pros and cons (the creams are harsh, may have side effects)
any autoimmune conditions in the family?

DuchessofAnkh · 15/03/2016 15:26

looks like this...

Alopecia Areata - Anyone have any experience? 10 yo DS

OP posts:

DuchessofAnkh · 15/03/2016 15:26

no history of anything in the family...

OP posts:

DuchessofAnkh · 15/03/2016 15:27

Alopecia Areata - Anyone have any experience? 10 yo DS

OP posts:

AnotherTimeMaybe · 15/03/2016 15:30

OP have you checked thyroid?

DuchessofAnkh · 15/03/2016 15:42

I'm pretty sure it was tested when he had his blood test - will check the results when I get home....

He was tested for many things - the only thing that came back was slightly low vitamin D (but not the cause of this btw).

Definitely not coeliac...

OP posts:

AnotherTimeMaybe · 15/03/2016 15:55

Did they do a full test on vitamins ?

You see thyroid could be borderline and could be causing this - DM had same issue
Glucose levels could be the culprit as well
Ok yes do let us know when you check them again

DuchessofAnkh · 15/03/2016 16:41

glucose levels were fine, I did check that as DM has diabetes....

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DuchessofAnkh · 18/03/2016 11:57

OK, checked thyroid on blood tests - all fine (not even borderline)

OP posts:

AnotherTimeMaybe · 19/03/2016 13:38

Ok it's good that he has no thyroid issues. If I were you I'd look into his diet. Hair needs protein, maybe he's deficient? If you want you could give non denatured organic whey protein in a cold smoothy and see how it goes?

DuchessofAnkh · 20/03/2016 16:01

Thanks anothertime...

He is a very good eater.... meat, veg, fruit, so if he's deficient it'll be something else causing it. Have googled symptoms and doesn't really fit, but will bear it in mind...

Does anyone know if thyroid fluctuates? So just because it was high on the day of the test may not be all the time?

OP posts:

DuchessofAnkh · 20/03/2016 16:05

For information he is on the short side of height for his age (9th centile) and 50th centile for weight, so top end of "normal" BMI. Not overweight.

Eats a very varied and balanced diet, but was slightly deficient in vitamin d. GP thought this was normal though for many British people at this time of year and not a problem

OP posts:

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DuchessofAnkh · 20/03/2016 16:07

I just have a great frustration at the moment that while it has a label of Alopecia it is very unclear what is causing it....

OP posts:

AnotherTimeMaybe · 20/03/2016 16:16

Could you post your values of thyroid and vitamin d?

MissSmiley · 20/03/2016 16:50

Has he been under a great amount of stress? There was a little girl (7) in my daughters class who lost all of her hair but it has started to regrow.

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