At the age of 3 my child developed a small bald spot on the head......the doctor said it was alopecia areata but that the hair around was healthy and would grow back which it did....
Fast forward to now (almost 2yrs later) about 2 and a half weeks ago my child had real bad viral flu with fever...2 days later I find a bald patch just slightly bigger then first one. I didn't worry about it too much at the time as I thought it's just like last time......well a week after that I found another bald patch but smaller and I panicked. We went to the doctors the next day and all I did was cry whilst waiting the doc said again it's alopecia areata but since my child had it before and hair had grown back that it was a very good sign this time will be the same. Doc prescribed a mild steroid cream in case we wanted to try and speed up hair growth process.
I am in pieces I have read just about all pages on alopecia areata on Google (I know it's bad) and I'm literally on full panic mode that my child is going to lose all hair. I have been crying for hours and hours everyday..haven't wanted to see or speak to anyone. I know there is no cure for this disease...I also know that yes some people just have a few patches a couple times and it never returns......but I also know it can progess and that my gorgeous child will be left bald. My child is still so little and I can't handle not knowing what is going to happen. I just want this nightmare to end. I pray on all I am and have that the 2 patches my child now has will not grow any more or that any new ones will appear. I just don't know what to do or how to cope I feel like I'm spiraling into the deepest depression I've ever been in and my anxiety is ott.
Anybody out there that can give me a glimmer of hope that my child won't lose all their hair ??? PLEASE!!!!
And I know "it's just hair" like I have read some people saying on the net....but it's not this could potentially affect my child's life, social and self esteem forever and I just can't deal with that :'(
6 Replies
Vitamins B and fish oil helps with hair growth. I wrote in a few weeks ago about my hair falling out due to medication I am taking. I went to the health food shop and they suggested vitamins B and fish oil to help with re growth. They couldn't do anything about it coming out but could help with the re growth part.
Here is the deal, it's always a shock when your child has a diagnosis. BUT that does not necessarily cause emotional problems or make life harder. It can mean that if you make it so though. Start teaching your child about differences, now, start acting like it's not a big deal NOW. Because if up act like it's a big deal she will become upset about it no matter how minor or major the problem is.
If her hair doesn't grow back there are seriously some excellent wigs, some totally awesome scarfs and hats to wear. Your daughter will be great, she really will! Kids are so used to difference these days, medical conditions, disabilities etc are out in the open and kids are so much more accepting than you think especially if they have been given a reason.
Now my kid has never lost there hair, but I have lost chunks of mine. Having people be all upset around me would have upset me.
When my son was diagnosed with multiple disabilities I had to put my fears aside and show him that it didn't matter and wouldn't define him.
I agree 100% with this!! Can I add aswell my opinion is bullying is only and issue if the bully has power. Teach your daughter the self confidence to stand up for herself. If she gets picked on and gets upset the bully will continue. If on the other hand she's picked on and has the self confidence and believe that it doesn't bother her the bully's going to walk away pretty quickly
Agree :)
I started loosing my hair because various reasons.
I have pernicious anemia and on various medications for epilepsy.
My sister has bald spots from scratching.
I understand that you are distressed. You said yourself "its just hair."
Kids are fairly resilient and if anything you can say to your daughter "yes you have this condition, but that changes nothing about you." Kids are curious too so give her answers so she can give answers.
We are all different beings.
If you are extremely concerned about this,ask your GP for a rreferral to a pediatrician and a dermatologist. A dermatologist will be able to look at her skin and follicles. They can alao answer your questions much more professionally and appropriately then google.
Try to remain positive, think about how this can be a clue to her immune system and try to think about little things like adding vitamins to her diet, hair washing only 1 x a week, a fancy mother/daughter hairdo day... A nice head band? Some fashion accessories shopping?
Embrace diversity Mama. You'll be ok and your daughter is feeding off your distress... She's probably worried because your upset. Try to move past this and on to the dermatologist and embrancing this together.
X
Hy I had alopecia areata as a child had numerous ball patches I looked like a boy unitl I was about 5 but then it jus stopped hair grew normally bar a little patch now but u wud not notice.. my mum didn have any strict diet opposite soo I think its a wait and see really hope that helps