Alopecia areata

[FreeWinona]

Name changed...
I was v recently diagnosed with alopecia areata. Just one small fairly well hidden patch, but I'm wondering whether it's likely for more to appear. Or if they were to appear, if that would happen sooner rather than later. I've started using high strength minoxidil, so I'm just waiting for the grass to grow.
I'm sure others here have dealt with this but I can't seem to find any previous threads.

Hey there, just wanted to see how your were progressing? Like you say there’s not much on here for reference so would be interested to know how you’re doing now time has passed. I’ve just discovered my first patch today and am trying not to freak out but it’s hard to sift through learning about it without panicking….

Hi Flower, firstly I'm really sorry you're going through this. It is just such a distressing thing to discover. I fell to pieces - but at the same time went into overdrive trying to work out what was potentially causing it & what could help regrowth.

There's only so much you can do, but it makes sense if you have the resources to speak with a dermatologist who specialises with hair loss. I was told my patch was an inflammatory/immune response probably triggered vaccination (covid & another vaccine close together). A lot of people are getting AA post covid also. I understand that with these types of causes it's quite likely to regrow.

The hair usually enjoys what's called 'immune privilege' so immune responses don't affect it. But sometimes this can fail & then inflammation causes the hair to fall out. I'm sure I have oversimplified...

In nearly 6 months my patch has pretty much grown back - it's a bit thinner than it was but it doesn't worry me. I was given steroid ointment & shampoo to use. Also antihistamines. In addition to this I took a lot of supplements to decrease inflammation: symprove (a liquid probiotic) curcumin (turmeric), tart cherry juice and things like that. I don't know if any of this helps but it's meant to be good for rheumatoid arthritis which is also an inflammatory condition.

Don't lose hope. I hope one patch is the first and last for you. If you see the GP they will tell you for the great majority of people, if they get 1 patch it will usually grow back completely within 1 year. Courage.

Thank you for such a helpful detailed response. I will order all the things mentioned right away - do you mind me asking what antihistamine you had eg cetirazine/lorotadine etc?. It’s been a very stressful time TTC and I wonder if that’s been a trigger. I need to manage my stress levels for sure. Hoping I can get to see specialist asap.

I honestly can't say whether any of the things I took helped with the regrowth - though there is some evidence that antihistamines can help:
www.dermatologytimes.com/view/a-potpourri-of-complex-medical-terminology
I took fexofenadine, which is now available over the counter (Allevia). I am not a doctor etc etc...
I have heard that stress may or may not be a trigger. I know that personally I have been through times of massive stress in my life & this has never happened before (I'm mid forties). Don't blame yourself because it may not even be related!

I had this about 15 years ago (early 40s). I think mine was caused by stress but you can never really know. It was devastating emotionally. My patches increased for 6 months then slowly went into reverse and grew back with the earliest ones regrowing back. My GP refused to refer me to dermatology but fortunately I had private healthcare through work which covered one consultation. When I told the consultant I had no cover for follow up appts he put me on his NHS list. He prescribed steroid ointment and referred me to a wig supplier. I went to the wig supplier and got a wig but didn't end up using it, the lady there was lovely and she told me about camouflage cream. I have dark hair and pale skin so my patches were very evident but luckily were low down on my head not the crown. The cream was like a giant tube of mascara, dark brown, dabbed it onto the bare patches every day and styled my hair over them, it massively improved my confidence. My eyebrows also suffered and never really came back so I have had them tattooed. I no longer need to shave my legs either. But my head hair is aa thick and healthy as its ever been now, you'd never know. It might have been the steroid that helped, I think it's likely to have been a combination of that and removal of the cause of all the stress in my case.

Exciting development on the pharmaceutical front in the US - NY Times article "F.D.A. Approves Alopecia Drug That Restores Hair Growth in Many Patients"
"...on Monday, the Food and Drug Administration approved baricitinib, a drug made by Eli Lilly that regrows hair by blocking the immune system from attacking hair follicles. Two other companies, Pfizer and Concert Pharmaceuticals, are close behind with similar drugs, known as JAK inhibitors."

NYT

Thank you both. The antihistamine tip is helpful I will add that to the list.

It’s really comforting to hear you’ve both got through it even after things got worse.

I’ve definitely had a bad afternoon/night with nerves about it but trying to stay calm. Have raided Holland and Barrett and so whatever happens Im going to try and give myself the best chance by taking all advice given - One step at a time! Thank you both again! X

And the news about the US drug gives hope doesn’t it that even if things get bad someone somewhere might be able to do something!