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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be sat here sobbing

19 replies

GingerCuddleMonster · 09/03/2015 20:15

I'm 7months post partm nearly and I've found a bald spot . But the hair is growing back and seems to have a month of regrowth in it, but it's white hair!

A)how did I not notice a bald spot
B) I suddenly feel super self conscious about it
c) why has this happened?

I have thick hair in a pixy cut and the way it's styled means the spot is always covered but now I just feel so unhappy, I also feel so stupid about crying about this, there are people out there with far worse issues than a frigging bald spot .

OP posts:

Electriclaundryland · 09/03/2015 20:20

I don't know what else to say without sounding trite.

wheresthelight · 09/03/2015 20:22

and Un mn hugs xxx

Original poster

GingerCuddleMonster · 09/03/2015 20:26

why did I Google!!! apparently post partum hair loss doesn't occur in patches more general thinning. Can anyone reassure me that contrary to Dr Google it can and does occur in patches??

OP posts:

Original poster

GingerCuddleMonster · 09/03/2015 20:27

thanks ladies x

OP posts:

juniorcakeoff · 09/03/2015 20:30

Patches is unusual, although some people thin so much they do notice bald areas ime. Unusual it is growing in white though that's probably the stress. Great that it is growing back, if it helps you at all I get ginger fluff at my temples every time I have a baby. I am not a redhead.

marinerkk · 09/03/2015 20:33

My ds is 6 months old and my hair has gone very thin. Really conscious of it at the front, it looks like a patch to me but trying not to worry about it as that makes it worse. Hopefully it'll sort itself out soon

MrsMinton · 09/03/2015 20:34

I had a patch of hair missing. I had an infection and had cream. It was an overgrowth of something and to do with being run down. Like thrush on my head. I'm making this sound awful so will stop now!!!!!

It did get better. Never come back. I was distraught so understand.

Retromama008 · 09/03/2015 20:34

I am a few months post partum and although I don't have any patches of hair loss I have been losing a lot since giving birth I just keep finding hairs all over the floors etc losing about 4 times more than pre giving birth. Doctor said its normal and to wait it out if it gets worse to go back so am sure it's nothing to worry about bit of concerned you should go see you gp

ButtonBoo · 09/03/2015 20:36

Bless you. I've had alopecia areata on/off since I was 18 (20 years now). The first time was an absolute shock and I didn't tell anyone for days. I saw my GP and he said it was caused by stress, there wasn't anything he could do and to try not to worry. Which was bloody crazy. At 18 my hair was a really important part of my identity, as in I was pretty bothered about how I looked back then. Maybe it still is to a certain extent, but I've got a bit more what will be, will be type attitude about it now, after all this time.

My first bald spot was about the size of a matchbox and underneath my hair so you couldn't see it. It was smooth as a baby's bum and stayed completely bald for about 6-8 weeks. Then all of a sudden I sprouted baby hair. Soft, fluffy and white/blonde baby hair. After it had grown about 2cm it started coming back through as per my regular colour. How long is your white section now? I just trimmed that part off when it got a little longer.

Mine is definitely linked to stress. I e had 4-5 occurrences since that first time. All have been smaller - about 20p piece sizes and on different parts of my head. I did get one a few months after DD1 was born. And I know it's not that uncommon.

Can you see your GP? I don't know if there is any new advice out there now but it is always worth getting it checked put.

But it is good news that it is growing back. In the meantime, try (and I know it's hard so don't want to sound patronising) to not worry....

BubblesInMyBath · 09/03/2015 20:38

I get bald patches... I have PCOS, I assume hormones are the reason.

Sorry

rockinrobintweet · 09/03/2015 20:46

my dd is 9 months old now and i suffered with hair loss towards the end of my pregnancy till today.

I wake on random mornings and there will be clumps on my pillow (i have shoulder length hair and it falls out anywhere on my head) and is generally much thinner than before my pregnancy.

I have never seen the doctor- my moms friend is a midwife and she said hormonal changes can affect your hair. she doesn't know to the extent that I find clumps now however but I don't wish to see a doctor- perhaps I am scared!

the first hair i lost was around my fringe and 9 months later this hair re growth is shorter than my daughters hair.. it looks awful!

I am having my hair cut and styled tomorrow to try and make me feel better about my appearance. try not to be down about it- it's just one patch and may be a one off. if you'd like answers than i would advice seeing your GP.

DisappointedOne · 09/03/2015 20:49

I developed 4 bald patches about an inch in diameter 18 months ago. DD was almost 3 so I don't think it was related. I didn't spot them until they were that size. I had some tests and found I had some funny liver enzyme activity. I don't have PCOS but have some symptoms, so probably just hormonal (stress) alopecia. Glad to say it grew back fine, although my hairline is thinning recently.

DieDeutschLehrerin · 09/03/2015 21:12

Hair loss sucks. I have PCOS too and have had thin patches since I was 19 and l'm 32 now. It got a bit better after I had my son 3 years ago but my daughter is now 5mths old and it's worse than ever so I completely understand why you feel so gutted. However, it doesn't sound quite the same as your experience and, on a positive note, my mum developed a bald patch once when she was run down and stressed and it grew back and has never recurred. I think sometimes it's just one of those things and it will go away. As you say, it's covered so no one will have seen it anyway. Hope you feel better soon.

Original poster

GingerCuddleMonster · 09/03/2015 21:29

thanks for all your stories. so nice of you to share personal experiences

I'm just a bit shocked/upset I never noticed and now don't know what to do. I will make an appointment with the GP for the end of the week when I have time.

it may well be stressed or have been I know for sure. the fact there is growth there comforts me somewhat, it's about an inch of white regrowth . I've jut told dp and for a pretty emotionless man his words of comfort were nice to hear, he then did follow this up with a picture of Dr evilnfrom Austin ppowera however squaddie humour...joyfully, but I did chuckle.

OP posts:

Original poster

GingerCuddleMonster · 10/03/2015 12:41

managed to see GP today thought I'd update, it's been diagnosed as alopecia possibly stress related.

On the bright side Dr reckons the regrowth present indicates it isn't spreading or getting larger, but I'm too keep an eye on it and if it gets larger to go straight back.

OP posts:

Womble1975 · 10/03/2015 13:41

I had exactly the same post partum. I too have a very short haircut and the patch was on the back of my head. Turns out my ferratin levels were through the floor after a PPH, which can lead to aloplecia areta. A few months on iron supplements and the hair has grown back .
I would ask your Dr for your bloods to be done just to make sure.

phlebasconsidered · 10/03/2015 13:54

I lost all my hair post partum, eyebrows, underarms, the lot! It started gradually and got worse. It was my thyroid. It took the doctor bloody months to even agree to test for it (kept saying it was PMT) but it WAS thyroid, and it did grow back, albeit greyer and thinner.

I invested in lots of headscarves and lipstick. I was horribly depressed about it, but I comforted myself with the fact that my head was an ok shape. I have since kept my hair short, just in case...

Original poster

GingerCuddleMonster · 10/03/2015 13:59

Thanks ladies,

I'm going to keep an eye on it, if it gets worse I'll head back as requested they probably will do bloods then. He just sorta chuckled and said "you never noticed it?!" .

OP posts:

ButtonBoo · 10/03/2015 16:06

Fingers crossed it's a one off for you. Many only get the one occurrence.

Unfortunately for me, I have had a flare up every 2-3 years. But nowhere as big as the first. I always thought I go out and buy the most extravagant wigs I could find if I ever lost my whole head of hair...black bob one day, flowing flame red locks the next, blonde bouncy curls the day after that.... But it never happened.

Hope you're feeling a little more positive??!

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