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Going Bald...and I'm female

  • 27-09-2010 7:33pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭


    I've recently discovered 3 bald patches on my once luminous hair. Not only that, the surrounding hair has turned pure white. I had this beautiful head of dark hair, thick, shiny and long and people used to comment on it all the time.

    I've had a lot going on in my life the past 12 months, from unemployment, to severe money worries, to health scares and close personal family bereavements, but this is really starting to upset me and freak me out. I've started dating again and now I'm concerned that this will scare men off as what man wants a woman with funny bald patches>

    I've booked an appointment with the doctor, but from what I understand they can do little or nothing about it.

    Has anyone else experienced the hair loss AND the white patched also?

    Your in distress


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 642 ✭✭✭Contessa Raven


    I've had a lot going on in my life the past 12 months, from unemployment, to severe money worries, to health scares and close personal family bereavements, but this is really starting to upset me and freak me out.

    Hi OP,

    I can understand your distress at your hair loss as I have experienced some in the past. I have highlighted the bit that stood out the most to me. When I lost some of my hair I was going through my junior cert, my parents were splitting up and my grandmother (who was like a mother to me) had died. The stress of it all had caused my hair to fall out.

    I don't want to diagnose anything here as I'm not a professional but definitely go to see your doctor. They'll have dealt with this before and will know how best to approach it. Wait and see what they say.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    Hi OP,

    I can understand your distress at your hair loss as I have experienced some in the past. I have highlighted the bit that stood out the most to me. When I lost some of my hair I was going through my junior cert, my parents were splitting up and my grandmother (who was like a mother to me) had died. The stress of it all had caused my hair to fall out.

    I don't want to diagnose anything here as I'm not a professional but definitely go to see your doctor. They'll have dealt with this before and will know how best to approach it. Wait and see what they say.


    Thanks - Did it grow back? Did you have patches or was it all over? Its just so awful having these patches over my head.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    I've booked an appointment with the doctor, but from what I understand they can do little or nothing about it.
    Make sure your doctor doesn't just dismiss you, there are lots of medical conditions which can cause hair loss, from simple stress to autoimmune disorders, maybe look into seeing or being referred to a trichologist,
    Best wishes


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 642 ✭✭✭Contessa Raven


    Thanks - Did it grow back? Did you have patches or was it all over? Its just so awful having these patches over my head.

    Yeah my hair grew back. It was quite thin for a while. It was in random patches all over my head but it eventually grew back to it's thickest. My hair is fine now. It's really thick and long. I am still weary when I get stressed as I fear it will start to fall out again but it hasn't happened yet. Fingers crossed! :D

    As above, don't let the doctor fob you off. If needs be, go to a different doctor and keep trying until you get one that will be helpful. Good luck!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    I knew someone very close to me who experienced what you described.

    IT was in this case alopecia. Alopecia can be triggered by stress and often the hair that regrows will grow white in some patches(temporarily). See a GP get refered to a specialist. In mean time take up yoga or meditation and reduce those stress levels.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,105 ✭✭✭Kivaro


    OP, it sounds like Alopecia Areata. I know that they frown on people making judgment calls like that on here, but I happen to be an expert on the subject. You should use the Internet to learn more about the disorder and the steps to counter it. You should also see a dermatologist (not just a doctor) for confirmation and course of action.

    The most important factor to remember is that Alopecia Areata does not really affect your health; just your appearance. It may take a while to appreciate the difference. Stress may have a big part in it, so look into relaxation techniques.

    Best of luck to you.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Hi OP, this sounds like alopecia areata (spelling might not be exact). There are treatments available for this type of alopecia and also can often rectify itself in time. But it can progress into further hairloss which is why you need to find yourself a GP who not only takes this issue seriously but is proactive in giving you a referal to a specialist. From my experience doctors are very dismissive of hairloss issues even in women, so try if you can to express to them what psychological stress this causes you.

    I have long term alopecia and have been told in the past by a GP to "wear a hat". Please be insistant with your GP because hairloss can sometimes be indicative of an underlying illness - though not always.

    Best of luck OP and I'm always here to help if you need contacts, more info, anything.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Kivaro wrote: »
    Stress may have a big part in it, so look into relaxation techniques.
    Stress has no scientific effect in alopecia areata. The only instance in which stress can cause alopecia is in telogen effluvium, when a SHOCK to the system (emotional or physical) can cause diffuse hairloss.

    Alopecia Areata is an auto immune disease.

    I don't mean to sound snappy, but I and many other alopecia people are sick to the back teeth of being told it's "stress". I think it's best to get rid of this commonplace false belief very quickly!!

    Alopecia areata and universalis and totalis are caused by an autoimmune condition where the body attacks the hair follicles. Nothing to do with stress.

    Androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss, male pattern baldness which is widely accepted, less common in women. Most common in women from menopause, but can occur as early as puberty (as it did in my case).

    Then there is Telogen effluvium which is caused by a shock (ok, stress, but sudden, traumatic stress). The shock can be a sudden physical illness or emtional shock.

    Stress does not cause hair loss and I amongst other alopecia sufferers have been long trying to dismiss this!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,779 ✭✭✭up for anything


    Stress has no scientific effect in alopecia areata. The only instance in which stress can cause alopecia is in telogen effluvium, when a SHOCK to the system (emotional or physical) can cause diffuse hairloss.

    Alopecia Areata is an auto immune disease.

    I don't mean to sound snappy, but I and many other alopecia people are sick to the back teeth of being told it's "stress". I think it's best to get rid of this commonplace false belief very quickly!!

    Alopecia areata and universalis and totalis are caused by an autoimmune condition where the body attacks the hair follicles. Nothing to do with stress.

    Androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss, male pattern baldness which is widely accepted, less common in women. Most common in women from menopause, but can occur as early as puberty (as it did in my case).

    Then there is Telogen effluvium which is caused by a shock (ok, stress, but sudden, traumatic stress). The shock can be a sudden physical illness or emtional shock.

    Stress does not cause hair loss and I amongst other alopecia sufferers have been long trying to dismiss this!!

    Thank you, thank you, thank you. I spent so long trying to defend myself and my mothering, from people who were insisting in a nice way that it was down to stress, when my 7 year old son got alopecia areata.

    OP, some of the women in my family suffer from male pattern baldness. Whereabouts are your bare spots and are they totally hairless?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,122 ✭✭✭Davexirl


    I had Alopecia 3 times in my life, first time one small bald batch, second time two patches and third time only one, each time it lasted a couple of months. I dont know what would bring it on but the second time I went to my doctor and he gave me this cream and that sorted the problem, I think their was steroids in the cream, by the the third time it happened it was annoying but I also kept telling myself not to worry it WILL GROW BACK, so go to your Doctor and relax everything will be fine.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    Thanks for the responses.

    I'm going to the doctor tomorrow to have it checked out.

    One question though, if its an auto immune disease, is there anything they can do to fix it?
    If I'm honest, I've had a lot of stress in my life the past while, but I'm good a dealing with stress and I'm not someone who constantly talks about how stressed they are, plus, I don't sweat the small stuff, I let things go and don't worry about uncertainties. I'm deemed quite a relaxed and pragmatic person, so that's why I'm quite surprised if this was stress related.

    Does anyone know if diet help?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,105 ✭✭✭Kivaro


    Stress has no scientific effect in alopecia areata. The only instance in which stress can cause alopecia is in telogen effluvium, when a SHOCK to the system (emotional or physical) can cause diffuse hairloss.

    Alopecia Areata is an auto immune disease.

    I don't mean to sound snappy, but I and many other alopecia people are sick to the back teeth of being told it's "stress". I think it's best to get rid of this commonplace false belief very quickly!!

    Alopecia areata and universalis and totalis are caused by an autoimmune condition where the body attacks the hair follicles. Nothing to do with stress.

    Androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss, male pattern baldness which is widely accepted, less common in women. Most common in women from menopause, but can occur as early as puberty (as it did in my case).

    Then there is Telogen effluvium which is caused by a shock (ok, stress, but sudden, traumatic stress). The shock can be a sudden physical illness or emtional shock.

    Stress does not cause hair loss and I amongst other alopecia sufferers have been long trying to dismiss this!!

    So we agree that stress can cause alopecia. Stress comes in many forms and as a family member has totalis for over 20 years as a result of an accident, I am sure you will not dispute the causation diagnosed by one of the top dermatologists in the country.

    Unfortunately OP, diet has no effect on this condition, except maybe severe malnutrition.

    The issue with Alopecia is that there is still a lot of uncertainty with the condition: the experts have still to figure out the disorder.

    I can tell you that regular every day stress does not cause Alopecia, it is the traumatic stress that can act as the trigger.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Unnecessary agression, had a bad evening, sorry!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 112 ✭✭easynote


    Does anyone know if diet help?

    Vitamin B's helps hair growth, as does silica. Brewer's yeast is a good source of all different vitamin B's, silica can be bought in health food stores.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 205 ✭✭robodonkey


    In a similar boat here, some information from my trawling of the internet.

    Some terms used and what they actually mean:

    Alopecia = hair loss
    Androgenic Alopecia = If you are a Man, this is Male Pattern Baldness
    Telogen Effluvium = Diffuse Alopecia, thining hair due to unusual "sleep" pattern of hair follicle (normal conditions for your head mean ~ 10% hair follicles are asleep, awaiting wakeup)
    Alopecia Areata = small patches of baldness on scalp/body
    Alopecia Totalis = All head hair gone
    Alopecia Universalis = All head and body hair gone

    Right. Now that's dealt with, some info on possible causes:

    (1) "It's an auto-immune disease" - yes, that is considered by many to be the case. Although the trigger to make your body "attack itself" is still thought to be either physiological or emotional stress. The truth is they do not have enough evidence to support 100% these best guesses.

    (2) There are also the hormonal (thyroid/dietary) triggers.

    (3) Some think there are potential "lifestyle" triggers (Shampoos/Hair Dye/Excessive Training) that can trigger certain shifts in the body's physiology and lead to any/all of the above conditions.

    (4) It could be in your genes! You may just be going bald (if you are a man that is).


    So, in the meantime, lets assume they are all possible causes. No harm in that right?

    What to do:

    (1) First and foremost - get a Doctor. A real doctor. Your GP or a Dermatologist. Eliminate the "biggies" that you can eliminate:
    iabetes/thyroid problems/hormone imbalances/iron deficiency etc.

    (2) Eat well (balanced diet / plenty of protein), take a good multivitamin if you are not 100% sure you are getting "the right stuff" in your food.
    Make sure a good iron supplementation is in that multivitamin.

    (3) Use mild shampoo

    (4) Don't take supplements like creatine/fat burners - these could be adding to your woes (jury is out on this cause<->effect paradigm, you may be training more because of the creatine etc. equally you may be training more because you are going bald right?)

    (5) Use minoxidil if you believe it will encourage the regrowth

    (6) Use a "topical steroid" like betnovate (can be done between minoxidil doses)

    (7) Get some exercise but don't overdo it.


    So how did I come to these conclusions?

    Well, I've self diagnosed myself with Areata and Telogen Effluvium (yeah I know I know.....bad thing to do but it's consistent with my details!)

    I've booked a session with a dermatologist, so this will confirm / scupper my diagnosis!

    Why do I believe my self diagnosis to be correct?

    (1) I'm 37, and male. My Dad went bald at 37.
    Surely I'm just going bald right? Well no....I had a decent head of hair up until 3 months ago. No shedding at all.

    (2) In the last 6 months I've really started seriously in the gym.


    (3) 2 months ago I used a anti-greying shampoo for 3 weeks (until I noticed shedding)

    (4) 2 months ago I started taking creatine to assist my more aggressive workouts (until I noticed shedding)

    (5) 2 months ago I tried some fat-burner pills (legal stuff!) that I didn't take to at all. Nasty stuff.

    (6) I have had Alopecia Areata after some serious stress/pressure (work and personal) in the past, and currently have 2 small(ish) patches that are regrowing.

    Basically I gave my head no chance at all!

    Old(er)/Stressed/Mucking about with testosterone levels/chucking hair dye (in a shampoo) at it......


    So all I'm really saying is ->
    Control what's controllable using medication / products that science has proven to work!
    Change what's changeable in your lifestyle
    Remove whats possibly a factor even if not "scientificlly proven"

    And then relax, await regrowth......in large majority of cases full regrowth happens!
    If I am just balding, I'm hoping minoxidil will control that, if it's AA/TE, then it's coming back anyway!


    Just my tuppence worth.
    Not enough posting about this!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,305 ✭✭✭Chuchoter


    Judging by all the stress you've recently had, its probably down to that one way or another. If the stress has caused you to change your diet or you have rapidly lost weight it is probably that.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,055 ✭✭✭Emme


    Go to your GP and get him or her to check out the hair loss. Alopecia areata can sometimes go with an underactive thyroid so you need to get that checked out as well.

    I've had AA twice and on both occasions I was under a lot of stress and had thyroid problems. I didn't have white patches but I'm naturally blonde so mightn't have noticed any lightening of hair. The hair grew back on both occasions. How are your energy levels?


This discussion has been closed.
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