What is Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata ("baldness in spots") is a form of hair loss from areas of the body, usually from the scalp. Because it causes bald spots on the head especially in the first stages...
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My 14 yr old son - is it stress?
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At his last hair cut, I noticed bald spots on my son's head. The pediatrician tested for thyroid - normal. We went to see the ped. derm., they were stumnped until they put one hair under the microscope, and found that it was completely frayed at the ends, just like a piece of frayed rope. The Dr. said that kind of damage could be caused by him rubbing or winding his hair tightly, probably out of boredom, stress, frustration etc., and damage like that would cause entire clumps of hair to fall out.
So we have been keeping an eye on him and honestly we have NEVER seen him pull or twist his hair, of course he could be doing it when we are not looking. He is a very sensitive boy, not generally a happy personality, he clashes easily with either of us (his parents) and his siblings. At other times, though, he can be very loving & sweet. I am wondering if the main cause of his hair loss could be stress? We recently have noticed new patches of hair loss so we have made a follow up appt. w/ the ped. derm. Any advice for what tests we need to ask for, so we can rule out (or find) any underlying medical condition? So far the bald patches are barely noticeable because he can push his hair over them. I would be very interested in hearing from any other parents of sensitive teenagers with alopecia! Posted on 03/23/09, 10:03 pm |
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hi im eileen, and i have alopecia areata. When i went to the dermatologist they gave me some shots that helped my hair grow back. They told me it was due to extreme stress, that can cause it to show up again. if you go to webbmd they have some more into the subject. as being sensative to the actual bald spots it takes time, I was lucky enough to do the same as covering it at work but after a while i decided im not going to hide it. Just talk to him, ask him what his concerns are about it if it bothers him. I think i get upset not cause it bothers me but because everyone else around me gets upset, like my mother, but i no she just cares. I dont like to act like its a big deal because i can still function normally and its just an outside apperence that all. Also the doctors tested me for lupus and ana which i tested positive for negative ana which is confusing! but basically my fathers side of the family has lupus and i just have a trait is how the doctor explained it to me. Im sure with time he will be ok. 
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