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.
I'm a 55-year-old woman whose first-ever patches appeared last October. My general practitioner said it was due to stress and referred me on to a dermatologist. My dermatologist then diagnosed me in January with alopecia areata and prescribed a topical steroid treatment which, over a six-week period, really had no effect.
March 1st I started a version of the Paleo diet -- I'm maybe 98% compliant -- and have noticed considerable regrowth, to the point where the patches are almost covered. (My largest area was on the top portion of my scalp which measured about 5" by 2" wide, but fortunately it was still hidden with my chin-length hair.)
So far, so good with the Paleo. I'm also diagnosed with hypothyroidism 25 years ago for which I take medication, have also experienced mild skin sensitivities from time to time, and I can say the skin symptoms are completely gone.
I've not even completed my first 30 days on this diet and am seeing significant improvement. I'd recommend the book "The Paleo Approach" by Dr. Sarah Ballantyne. It's a long read, but a wonderful reference for getting started and dealing with autoimmune diseases such as alopecia. Even if my condition recurs, I plan to keep this healthier lifestyle of eating by following this diet as much as possible.
March 1st I started a version of the Paleo diet -- I'm maybe 98% compliant -- and have noticed considerable regrowth, to the point where the patches are almost covered. (My largest area was on the top portion of my scalp which measured about 5" by 2" wide, but fortunately it was still hidden with my chin-length hair.)
So far, so good with the Paleo. I'm also diagnosed with hypothyroidism 25 years ago for which I take medication, have also experienced mild skin sensitivities from time to time, and I can say the skin symptoms are completely gone.
I've not even completed my first 30 days on this diet and am seeing significant improvement. I'd recommend the book "The Paleo Approach" by Dr. Sarah Ballantyne. It's a long read, but a wonderful reference for getting started and dealing with autoimmune diseases such as alopecia. Even if my condition recurs, I plan to keep this healthier lifestyle of eating by following this diet as much as possible.
After 5 years....now its finally better...my skin too was very dry...was diagnosed with psoriasis...treatment did not work what a surprise.
I will be buying the book, and reading it. I have been doing a low carb Atkins type of diet, however have been having reactions I believe to the dairy, so I will be trying the Paleo approach. On the positive side, I did lose 10 pounds and with all the health issues I have such as hypothyroidism, it is a miracle to me that I did drop those 10 pounds this past month.