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Original poster

To ask for help alopecia!

15 replies

Charlie97 · 12/04/2017 21:58

My poor 25 year old son is suffering! One large spot and maybe 5 smaller spots although they may get bigger.

I know that no answer is readily available! No medication really works!

But tell me your successful stories.

He said "I don't think about anything else"

My heart breaks for him.

OP posts:
Againagain97 · 12/04/2017 22:15

Bump!

abigboydidit · 12/04/2017 22:19

My DH had this a couple of years ago. Stress related. December we noticed patches and they quickly increased. By around February he had to shave his head as was almost completely bald. By August it has started filling in again and he had his first haircut in the September or thereabouts. Now back to normal completely.

He had huge anger management issues (converting stress to pent up rage!) and made big changes. Most noticeable he went for 1:1 mindfulness training, which he has continued. He was prescribed cream - steroid maybe? But never used it. I hope your DS has a positive outcome too.

TheWitTank · 12/04/2017 22:25

Poor lad -is he particularly stressed at the moment (aside from about the alopecia)? I agree that mindfulness training would be worth a try. Some hairdressers are very clued up about the condition (mine is) and has a few clients he has helped with advise and a decent cut/hair tips to help conceal the patches as much as possible. Not a cure, but it helps with the confidence and stress. I really hope all goes well for him.

TheWitTank · 12/04/2017 22:27

www.alopecia.org.uk/

There might be a support group in your area? You can check here.

Original poster
Charlie97 · 12/04/2017 22:28

He has steroid cream. His dad (my Oh) suffered a little in his late 40s, his grandfather (OHs dad) suffered badly at a young age. Although OH doesn't remember his father suffering because he wasn't born.

I just feel so sorry for him!

OP posts:
Livethroughthis · 12/04/2017 22:30

Mine falls out when I'm stressed, even when at the time I didn't feel it. Good news is it's always grown back after a couple months!

Chocolatecake12 · 12/04/2017 22:42

Had he been to the gp? I had alopecia in patches and after blood tests found I was very iron deficient. Started iron medication and my hair started to grow back, but finer and straighter than before! It's 15 years on and only one relapse.

mycatsmellsnice · 12/04/2017 23:25

Might sound crackers but a friend of mine who lost his hair due to chemo was advised to use Mane & Tail shampoo. It's for animals but can be used on humans. It DID help his hair regrowth - honestly! The journalist Decca Aitkenhead also recommended it after treatment for breast cancer.

Me and DD been trying it, not sure it's done anything for me but hairdresser commented on her hair being much thicker at the last appointment. We didn't mention the product until after she'd commented.

Worth a try and quite cheap.

Original poster
Charlie97 · 13/04/2017 07:14

He has been up GP, who gave him steroid cream but basically said it's a waiting game!

Also our GP friend said the same.

He also took himself off to a "clinic" who said they have cream that will work. It's very expensive and if I truly thought it would work I would pay. But I'm just not convinced!

But I don't know if just having something he thinks will work will help him?

OP posts:
Original poster
Charlie97 · 13/04/2017 07:51

Chocolatecake, I'll get some iron tablets from the chemist! Worth a try.

Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Charlie97 · 18/04/2017 07:35

Poor DS came over for easter, it's worse than ever with about 7 - 9 spots appearing.

He says it's all he thinks about.

I feel so helpless for him.

OP posts:
Wh0Kn0wsWhereTheTimeGoes · 18/04/2017 07:44

I sympathise, I had it about 7 years ago and lost about a third of mine, I am certain it was due to stress. Mine got worse and worse over about 6 months then gradually I noticed the spread slowing down and the earliest patches starting to grow back, they all started to regrow within a year. I had steroid cream but also managed to remove myself from the stress (which was work-related).

abigboydidit · 18/04/2017 09:07

Like the last poster, my DH really kicked a lot of work stress away and I honestly think the mindfulness was critical for that. He uses an app on his phone - I think it's called Buddify? Though he did some 1:1 sessions initially.

GingerHanna · 18/04/2017 15:15

Steroid cream from the docs is your best bet for creams... specialist centre is unlikely to have a magic cream.

DH has been put on them all over the past 15 years and knows them well.

MegaClutterSlut · 18/04/2017 15:24

My DB lost most of his head hair and it took a couple of years to all come back. He still has no eyebrows or eye lashes but it doesn't bother him anymore

DD 10 lost a big patch of hair in the middle of her head and it thinned out at the front. I had to do a comb over for months as I didn't want her getting teased at school. Now a few months later it's growing back thank god. Doc didn't prescribe her anything, just said there's nothing she can do

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