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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be so happy and excited for DD

41 replies

Iamclearlyamug · 08/06/2023 15:45

My DD11 has suffered from alopecia areata since the age of 3, at one point around age 6 she was almost completely bald.

She has worn a wig almost full time since then, for school, socialising, everything.

After a lot of hard work, worries and tears over the years, her real hair is finally at a good stage and she's decided she's going to school tomorrow WITHOUT HER WIG.

This isn't really AIBU but I'm just so proud of how strong she is and has been 🥰🥰 this is her hair now 😍

To be so happy and excited for DD
OP posts:
MrsSamR · 08/06/2023 17:46

Aww bless her - you must both be so happy. That is so brave of her to do that at her age. (Gorge bedroom too!)

Notimeforaname · 08/06/2023 17:50

Her hair is absolutely gorgeous!! 🤩 Delighted for her op!!! 👏👏👏

changeyerheadworzel · 08/06/2023 17:59

This is wonderful! Look at that beautiful hair. That's one strong little lady you have there. That shine!!!

neverbeenskiing · 08/06/2023 18:09

Your DD sounds amazing, and her hair looks gorgeous! I honestly would never have guessed from that photo that she'd ever suffered from alopecia.

there will always be a few snide comments too - she's on cloud 9 this evening so hopefully won't care

Remind her that happy people who are truly secure in themselves don't feel the need to make snide comments about others appearances ❤

I hope he has a great day tomorrow. Please come back and let us know how she gets on.

MoistPickyBits · 08/06/2023 19:58

She is so brave. Her hair is beautiful Star

SheSeIIsSeaShells · 08/06/2023 20:00

She has really pretty hair. Hope she has a lovely day tomorrow.

Werewolfnotswearwolf · 28/08/2023 19:13

@Kidsaregrim and @Iamclearlyamug - I know this is resurrecting an old post but I have lost literally all my hair everywhere over about 8 weeks. It’s been 2 months now and anything that grows back just goes again. It’s really great to hear that there might be some hope that it will come back. Did your DDs have any luck with any medication or was it purely time? I’m under no illusions it will grow back at all but I am struggling with it!!

Original poster
Iamclearlyamug · 28/08/2023 20:37

Hi @Werewolfnotswearwolf I'm sorry to hear of your struggles.

We were given topical steroids but unfortunately they didn't help.

We were also later offered steroid injections but after a lot of research we rejected these ourselves on the basis that they are incredibly painful and not something I wanted to subject an (at the time) 8 year old child too. However as an adult possibly might be something to consider?

Time has been the only thing for us and realistically it's taken probably 6 years to recover fully - with no guarantee it won't fall out again in future - but we are just taking each day as it comes with our fingers crossed.

Always happy to chat and support if you need it ❤️

OP posts:
Werewolfnotswearwolf · 28/08/2023 20:45

@Iamclearlyamug thank you so much for your response! I’ve had steroid cream which hasn’t made any difference but not been offered anything else yet. It does look like success rate is low though for most treatments. Hope your daughter is doing well now.

Original poster
Iamclearlyamug · 28/08/2023 20:53

@Werewolfnotswearwolf I think alopecia is so difficult to treat because it's an autoimmune disorder. There are so many different triggers that are different in every single person, and it's trial and error to see what might work.

Have you considered a wig or hairpiece at all? That's the route we eventually went down, although we were very lucky that our GP referred us to a different hospital that had better funding than our most local one. My DD wore a wig full time between the ages of 6 and 11 and has only in the last 3 months felt her hair has recovered sufficiently.

I can recommend a very good shampoo and leave-in spray, which we've been using and encourages hair growth if you're interested 😊

OP posts:
Kidsaregrim · 29/08/2023 17:56

@Werewolfnotswearwolf
it grew back and then she caught an infection and it all fell out again! She has been diagnosed with TE now and they don’t Think it will happen again. She now wears a wig full time.

ChilliSensation · 29/08/2023 18:00

Werewolfnotswearwolf · 28/08/2023 19:13

@Kidsaregrim and @Iamclearlyamug - I know this is resurrecting an old post but I have lost literally all my hair everywhere over about 8 weeks. It’s been 2 months now and anything that grows back just goes again. It’s really great to hear that there might be some hope that it will come back. Did your DDs have any luck with any medication or was it purely time? I’m under no illusions it will grow back at all but I am struggling with it!!

I didn’t lose all my hair but in patches on my scalp. It was awful. I had steroid injections on my scalp. It was like a pricking feeling and not very painful at all. It started to grow back after 8-12 weeks. It was a horrid experience and I know it could happen again.
Good luck to you.

Lemonademoney · 29/08/2023 18:01

Oh bless her! A beautiful head of hair now xxx

tunainatin · 29/08/2023 18:04

That's brilliant, we have alopecia in our family and I know how difficult it can be. Her hair looks lovely, i hope she enjoys showing it off!

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 29/08/2023 18:07

That's a fine head of hair she has!

Werewolfnotswearwolf · 02/09/2023 09:53

@Iamclearlyamug oh yes please, very grateful for any recommendations! Just seems to be getting worse, I have ONE eyelash left on my right eye 😭

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