Alopecia Areata Support Group

i was diagnosed when i was 3-5yrs old. My mom's hairdresser told her to just keep my hair boy short so it can try to grow back and be healthy. so i sported the boyish haircut till it all grew back. then it came and went in phases through my teens till now. though it won't be easy, she will get through it just fine, you just need to be there for her ups and downs. at one point i even bought a wig during freshman yr of high school-- but tht didnt stop me from being on the soccer, basketball and softball team, as well as graduating 3rd in my class. i definintely do believe that it helped strengthen, mature and guide me into the strong person i am today. im currently 24 yrs old and it's probably the worst its been right now, hair-loss wise, probably due to a lot of work and financial stress i have been recently dealing with. but its always been my motto to not sweat the small stuff and focus on the bigger picture that it's purely a cosmetic issue (with plenty of emotional baggage unfortunately) but I have to thank God that it's not cancer related and that im healthy as can be. Best wishes!

I understand your pain. I'm a mom who's daughter lost her hair, AU, at the age of 13mos. She's almost 4yrs old. Alopecia has it's own adgenda, it's frustrating when we can't guard our babies from stares and curious comments. I'm constantly reminding myself to focus on strengthing ME, rather than focus on the condition. (much easier said than done of course). Everyday is differnt, so best, day by day.
Touch base when you need an outlet.

Thanks for replying. My daughter is losing more and more hair everyday, and is curently at about a 30-40% loss. My heart goes out to her in thinking that she may have to deal with cruel people as she grows. Yet, at te same time I feel so selfish in my sorrow. I constantly remind myself that it could be worse and this is purley cosmetic. Still as her Mom, I only wish that she never has to face a moment of misery ever. Her docotr tells me that more than likely her hair will return sometime within the next year and that she may never have a problem again. It is hard believe in the best case scenarios though. My husband broke down last night after a day of hat shopping with our little girl (not so much an attempt to cover the hair loss, but she really truly loves to wear hats. It is her style!) Anyway, he confessed that he was hurting after watching little girls with pigtails and long curly hair. He was hoping that our little girl would not have to worry about this her whole life. It is just hard to feel that she may have insecurities and self concious doubts for years. She really is an amazing little girl with so much sparkle and life. I know she will excel in life regardless, beacuse she is so strong. I figure if we don't make the condition a "condition" then she will grow up thinking it is just a part of her, not something that will hold her back. Some days are hard though.

hi there, my son has aa and i totally understand how you are feeling, he attends school, and the majority of the kids are fine with it, children will accept your daughter,please try not to look too far in the future, her hair may grow back,and when she is a little older, you can try other treatments,keep your chin up, sending you lots of love.xx

I'm a parent who has dealt with alopecia universalis in my child for 18 years. I've felt it all and seen it all. My son lost all of his hair at age 9, and none of it ever came back. However, there is light at the end. We did homeschooling through high school, and my son finished college with no problems and is now doing well with a major corporation. We met other children who went to the public schools and they said that the other kids accepted them, even though there probably were some exceptions. Throughout our experience, my son's attitude was better than that of my wife and myself, as any parent would understand. Parents always hurt more than the child. Write me if I can be of any encouragement. I know it's hard.

Hii.. im 14..
i have had this like my whole life.. and it reoccurs.. its very painful, stressful, and depressing.. i just make sure your daughter is able to talk to you.. cause im not really close with my parents.. and it makes it wayy harder for me.. Just be there for her.. I Wish you and her the best of luck!! =]
-alyssa

I live here in Illinois and my lil' girl was diagnosed when she was about 2 years of age as well. It has been really hard on us as her parents. She is turning five this year and will be entering school in the fall. I am now starting to reach out for support and friendship from others who are dealing with the same. I want her to be able to meet other kids who are dealing with the same auto immune disease, so she knows she is not alone in this. Please contact me if you have things to share. I hope together we are able to raise our daughters with high enough self esteem to keep them smiling daily.
I know exactly what you are dealing with. Best Wishes!