Alopecia?

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My 12 year old DD is losing patches of hair. My mum says it’s her age and her hormones and not to worry. AIBU to think she may be developing Alopecia? Anyone with experience?

I don’t really know much about alopecia or if it could be hormone related but when my iron was low my hair started coming out a lot, I was put on iron tablets and it stopped relatively quickly.
Sorry for your DD

Hi...are the patches almost perfectly round in shape? If so it might be alopecia areata which I suffered from about five years ago...causes vary but include stress or sudden illness. Or general shedding of hair (telogen effluvuim) can be diet based, stress, illness etc. Definitely worth a visit to the doctor or if it worsens you could try a trichologist who diagnosed mine when doctor told me it was nothing. I hope it is not upsetting your daughter too much and you get it sorted soon.

Was going to say what Jeh45 said above - alopecia areata patches are round in shape. For me, about 6 weeks after a stressful event I get these patches. I was referred to a dermatologist when I had a bad outbreak several years ago, they didn’t do much but it would def be worth a trip to the GP to see exactly what’s going on for her. Generally alopecia patches like this do grow back.

My 6 year old is currently losing her hair. The doctor seems to think it's deficiencies so have referred her for blood tests.

Jeh45 yes they are very small round patches.

I’ve planned a GP visit. Thanks to all for the replies.

Met with GP! Pretty sure it’s childhood onset of Alopecia but doing some further tests to confirm. Anyone out there with experience? I’m gonna post on another board as well.

I had bold patches when I was around
14. My grandma died around that time so may have been linked to that. My hair grew back. Then i got the bold patches again at 21. My hair grew back but now I am left with fine hair and thinning hair.
black seed oil with carrier oil on bold patches can help with hair regrowth. But you have to be consistant and leave oil on mimimum 2 hours around 3 times per week for a couple of months.

My brother lost patches of hair at the base of his skull when he was around 14. It was thought to be due to stress at school (it was a very non-academic boys school at the time were you were picked on if you didn't like football or did try in the lessons). After a year or so they grew back with no lasting problems so hopefully it will work out ok for your dd.

I feel for her. I was diagnosed with alopecia areata a few weeks ago. I have long hair and a colleague noticed the other day that there was a bald patch and asked if she could take a picture to show me. I was shocked and dismayed. The doctor thinks it's down to stress, but googling (I know, I know) seems to debunk the stress as a cause theory. I am peri-menopausal and having some other health issues so maybe it's all linked. I hate that the only way I can cover it now is to keep my hair tied up as having it down shows the patch.

It's definitely worth getting your dd checked out by a gp and maybe some blood tests, just to be sure.

Yes one of my sons had AA, his has never recovered sadly but it's never got any worse. He has about four 1/2 sq" patches around his scalp.