Alopecia Areata Support Group

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, it is also called spot baldness. Hair loss can extend to eyebrows, eyelashes and facial and nasal hair and create more bald spots elsewhere in the body.

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Question

Reba73
Reba73
When I was 12 I had bald spots on my head about the size of quarters. I wore a hairpiece in 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th grade or alternated sometimes by wearing a bandana (this was back in the 70's). I am now in my early 50's and my hair grew completely back in 10th grade.

My question to this group - does anyone know what causes alopecia areata? Stress? Mine started around the time I started my period so I wonder if it was hormonal. I know I will probably never know but just curious as to what members of this group have heard causes it? Thanks.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Well, it could potentially be hormonal (mine started around puberty as well), but really it's autoimmune. So, basically, your immune system goes into overdrive and attacks parts of your body it's not supposed to (in this case, your hair). It can calm down out of the blue, or stay in overdrive the rest of your life. There's no predicting it. So, even if there's a hormonal component or a stress component, the actual cause of the hair falling out is autoimmune.

Not everyone with stress loses their hair. Not everyone with hormone imbalances loses their hair. Some people have a predisposition for autoimmune disorders, and those are the people who end up with conditions like lupus, alopecia, or fibromyalgia.

I have a rare form of alopecia, and heard everything from "it's just stress" to "it's hormones" (even though my androgens have always been spot on). I have had numerous people think I was pulling it out myself or somehow damaging it while styling. I worked at a halr replacement salon, and I met all kinds of clients. If you go to alopecia boards, you will find women with alopecia areata (yes....alopecia areata, not androgenic alopecia) who have had regrowth of their hair after taking birth control pills. I personal met a woman who developed AA after she began taking birth control pills (it eventually grew back).

There's no real conclusive way to know *why* you would develop an autoimmune disorder. There are so many potential triggers.
Reba73
Reba73
Glittercreek - Thanks for your response. Becky
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have always been under the impression that alopecia was caused by an immune system dysfunction, and that was borne out by the fact that my hair grew back while I was taking steroids and an immune suppressant for my Crohn's Disease. As soon as I stopped taking the steroids (Prednisone) it fell out again. I believe that there is a hereditary issue with immune system disorders. Do other members of your family have allergies, lupus, psoriasis, or anything like that? Anyway, good luck to you.
Maryisabell
Maryisabell
Is this a deleted user ? What is up with all these deleted users ? Am I missing something here ? I wanted to talk / correspond with others on scarring alopecia .
I guess I will quit this sight too -- what a shame .