'I went bald in a week'
Living with alopecia/female hair loss
Alopecia's different for everyone, but my hair fell out when I was 7. The whole lot was gone within a week, including eyebrows and eyelashes, and I never grew hair again. When you lose it all, it's known as alopecia universalis. As a kid, I didn't know what to think about my hair loss. But my mum and dad were devastated. They tried everything to try to get it to grow back. They took me to see a woman who massaged a greasy lotion into my head. My dad even built a roofless tent in the garden for me, thinking the sun might help!
But nothing did help, and we all gradually realised my hair wasn't coming back.It hasn't been easy for me, and for a long time I hated the way I looked. My parents tried to hide my hair loss by making me cover my head up, first with hats, then wigs, and I don't think that helped. Even today, I can't go out without my wig on.
Getting married and having children really helped, but sadly my first husband died in 2004. I was at a really low point, and looked alopecia up on the internet for the first time. I found Alopecia UK, and made some brilliant friends.
That's how I met my second husband, Mark, who I married in March 2007. He's got alopecia areata, which means he's got bald patches. It's not been easy for him, either. But we've helped each other. Today, I'm a lot more confident. I'm even campaigning for better treatment for alopecia sufferers from the NHS. And I'm finally accepting myself for who I am.
Sandra Atherton, 39, Liverpool
For more information and advice, visit www.alopeciaonline.org.uk
Average rating:
Please leave a comment, tip or story in the box below
Jonny H, about 1 year
There's a lot of support out there for Alopecia Universalis sufferers, http://www.baldgirlsdolunch.org , http://www.womenshairlossproject.com , http://www.alopeciaworld.com , all of them inspirational. For those with Alopecia Areata, bald patches, there seems to be less support, but more chance of treatment. At the Belgravia Centre, a hair loss clinic in London, we find a 12.5% Minoxidil cream with Azelaic Acid booster seems to encourage hair regrowth within 3 months http://www.belgraviacentre.com/alopecia.htm . An alternative treatment, steroid injections to the scalp, appears to be a less effective and less desirable option.
Report this commentmark waldron, about 1 year
having had alopecia for the last 7 years i know what a devestating effect it can have on your life. in the past i have tried many differant cures all of which did not work. but recenty i have been using aloe vera cream rubbed into the scalp with very positive effects, i hope this small piece of information may be of a little help to fellows sufferers. yours hopefully mark.
Report this commentAlana, about 1 year
I Suffer From Alopecia areata-oophiosio . I Lost My Hair When I Was Going To Secondary I Was Quite Nervous And It Was The Summer Holidaysy And I Always Used To Wear My Hair Up And One Day My Mum Noticed A Bald Patch I Was Scared And I Went To The Hospital And The Said That I Had Alopecia And I Was Stressed And The Gave Me Cream To Put On It But It Made It Worse I Went Back 3 Months After It And I Had To Get Steriod Injections To Stimulate The Hair To Grow Back It Was Painful At First But Not Too Sore Anyway I Have To Go Back In 1 Month When I Go I Get To Go To Cross House Hospital To Do A Topic Thing With Other Children Suffering From Alopecia I Can Kind Of Cope Better Being Around People That Have The Same Kind Of Thing As Me .
Report this commentAnn, about 1 year
I've suffered from alopeica on and off since I was 19, I'm 41 now. At first I was devastated and looked for every cure imaginable, but now, I've just accepted that it's part of me and who I am. I have a loving husband and wonderful daughter who are not bothered by it at all. Since giving up the quest for a cure (mine is genetic, my brother has it too), I've enjoyed a variety of wigs in different style and colours (some better than others, in hindsight!!!) and just got on with my life. Big respect to Gail Porter who has done wonders for every woman who has ever lost her hair! She has brought this condition right into the celeb spotlight and has done what I wish I had the bottle to do, go out without covering her head. Big respect to any woman who has the guts to do that!!
Report this commentsally, about 1 year
I also suufer with alopecia universalis. I lost my hair at the age of 28 after giving birth to my daughter. I wore a cap for @ 4 years before I got my first wig. What got me through it was that people accepted me for who I am and not what I look like. I am now 40 and like yourself I still do not have any growth. I still go out side with out my wig because at the end of the day it does not matter what people think of you but what you think of yourself. My mother told me that and it has helped alot. Well done for coping because it is not easy to live with. As long as you can hold your head high and have a good sense of humour you find you can cope a lot better.
Report this commentNerine, over 2 years
it's lovely to read a story who has copped with loosing her hair and is happy with herself. well done sandra
Report this comment
sarah, 24 days
i hate having alopecia areata.no matter how much i try to convince people that im fine with havin it now, i really cant accept it! my heart hurts everytime i think about not havin hair. iv had it for 7 years and the not knowing is the worst.
Report this comment