Her Alopecia Womens Hair Loss Forums

Hi. My name is Erica and I have had alopecia ever since I was a little girl, but have almost always been able to cover it up with a simple hairdo. I am now 21 and in college, and it has got to the point where almost no matter how I do my hair, you can see a bald spot. I don't think I've ever come to terms that I have alopecia - sometimes forgetting - and when people ask me about it, it usually just makes me very uncomfortable. I have a lot of friends, but most have never asked me about it (I think they know it makes me uncomfortable, probably found out from someone else what it was without me being around). Since so much of my hair has fallen out this year I really might consider a wig, but have no idea how now to make the transition awkward.

I think I probably am making a bigger deal out of it then it will be to my friends, because I'm still the same person, and I don't want to be embarrassed, but I am. To have your hair look one way then the following week look obviously different just bothers me. I don't know if anyone else has dealt with this or can help me out, but I would appreciate it a lot. I think I've just hoped for so long my hair would grow back in and it's not, and I think a wig might be my only option.

I am so sorry, Erica, that you are going through this at such a young age. I really am. Have you determined what is causing your hair loss? I am not so knowedgable on all the testing someone as young as yourself should have so maybe some of the other ladies here can help you with that. I know thyroid, ferritin, etc are the typical but there are alot more and others here can guide you. As for transitioning to a wig, I just made my first appearance at work with my Yaffa and it was hard for me. I decided though that it better people stare at my head and wonder what I did to my bio hair to make it look so pretty than for them to stare at my thinning frizzy bio hair. I wish you lots of luck in first getting to the bottom of your HL cause and then finding the right solution for you.

Welcome Erica,

My hairloss is also from AA which I've had since I was a young child. I'm posting a link here with a lot of good info that will help you to understand this frustrating condition.

http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Al ... efault.asp

It's taken me awhile to reach acceptance. I've written about my journey here:

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=14268

I'm here for you if you have any further questions or concerns or just need to vent.

Hugs,
Joann