Conditions
Alopecia
When presenter Gail Porter lost much of her hair because of alopecia she refused to wear a hat or wig, deciding instead to maintain a public profile and raise awareness of the condition. Alopecia is an autoimmune hair loss disease that affects 1 in 100 people, and can strike men, women or children of any age. The onset of hair loss is often sudden, random and recurrent, and can lead to either patchy or complete loss of hair on the scalp or body. The notoriously familiar male/female pattern baldness is another form of the condition. There is no single cause – it can be hereditary or genetic, the result of trauma or stress, or even medication. However, people who have had eczema, asthma or a thyroid disease are more prone to the condition. There is no known cure or proven therapy to induce hair re-growth, but there are various treatments available. Hair loss isn’t damaging to health, but it can prove challenging.
+++UPDATE+++
In the episode first broadcast on 13th May 2009, an over the counter product called Minoxidil was recommended for Caroline’s treatment – which is sold under the product name of ‘Regaine for Men’.
Always seek advice from your doctor, as people suffer with different types of Alopecia and different treatments are available, although not always effective.
If your child is suffering from Alopecia, read the special kids guide to the condition.
Watch 12 year old Lauren get a weft fitted in the Clinic Consultation: Alopecia video.
Comments and Questions
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About 5 years ago I had rhinoplasty which at the time was extremely happy with, but over time it has changed shape. It seems to have gone wider & the end (I can only describe as someone had put a elastic band on the end?) I had recently gone back to where I had booked it in and they had said there is no more further treatment to correct it but to have a small face lift and remove skin around the cheeks?
Hi there my name is michelle.Ihave in under active thyroid glad and i take the medication called eltroxin,and iam just wondering if this is cause my hair to become thiner.I have a bald patch and it seems to be getting bigger and it is really upsetting me.Is there any creams that you could tell me about.
Hi sammie, im 25 and last year noticed all of a sudden my hair was falling out and has become very thin within months and can see tyhe top of my scalp easily, i used to have really thick hair, i went to gp who sent me to dermotolist who diagnosed me with androgenetic alopecia (female pattern baldness) its heartbreaking i know and there is not enough support out there at all or sadly a cure, im still coming to terms with itx
Hi Donna, I'm Fiona. I know just how you feel. I've had alopecia areata on and off for about four years to varying degrees. At first, I wouldn't wear a wig but my alopceia got so bad that I just had to. Going for wig fittings at first was just awful and I kept crying and feeling like such a freak, but eventually I found a really great wig supplier with a fantastic team of people. I now have a spring/summer wig and an autumn winter wig - both the same style but different shades - on NHS prescription. Most people honestly don't know its a wig - and are really surprised when I tell them. Friends and family are very supportive. It's taken a long time to get used to now being bald but I think worse things could happen to me - like cancer or losing a limb or my eyesight - so I guess I just take comfort in the fact that in comparison to other's illnesses, my hair loss isn't quite so bad. Some days are better than others though.
Hi Lauren, Thank you for your comment Speaking to peopple with alopetia makes me feel alot better I have now got 2 NHS wigs but they are scary. Everyone says i look like i have hair extentions in but beacuse i know i havent i feel weird its hard to say how i feel just scared i think that people will know i have a wig on like going to the supermarket or the chip shop were everyone knows you will know thats not my hair. I need to overcome my fear and start wearing them it will just take time for me to wear them in public.
i was told about a treatment that was shown on embarassing bodies programme that involved somesort of surgery to apply real hair to persons head and lasted about a year and apparently could be somehow removed every six weeks for washing do you know anything about this procedure or any similar at present need to wear wig hate it please reply with any advice
hi,i lost my hair quite a while ago and the doctor said that it was a fungal infection and she gave me a special shampoo.thankfully i can notice my hair growing back.but my concern because i lost quite a few patch of hair on both sides,i can feel a bump.when i touch it,it does not look like a lump but im worried.ive been to the docs and they said that its just my head.do u think thats normal for me to feel the bump and will this affect me in the future cause im really worried and cant get this out of my head
hi i'm rose and i'm lossing my hair especially at the back of my head and on the front side of my head. the worst things at the back of my head the hair lose is halfway through my head. please help
Hi. I'm 20 years old and, since around the age of 16, have noticed my hair getting thinner. I went to the GP around 3 years ago and had blood tests taken, but nothing unusual was found. It's a constant worry, and makes me extremely self conscious - I daren't even mention it to my boyfriend in case he starts scrutinising! It's especially noticeable after a shower, and I spend ages brushing it into shape to try and hide the thin areas on the top and back. Every few months I check for new remedies, but am dubious about current treatments - If only there was a proven cure! I wish everyone with similar problems the best of luck...fingers crossed for the future.
Hi. I'm am pregnant and literally from the moment of becoming pregnant my hair as been falling out. I have been diagnosed with alopecia areata caused by pregnancy. It is making me so miserable and meaning that I can't enjoy what should be a special time for me and my husband. The hair has fallen out at the front on the left side and now is starting on the right. I have bought a hair volumiser out of desperation for £800. It's made me feel a bit better but the colour match isn't as I had hoped -especially for the money and I am paranoid everyone can tell. It is so embarassing and I feel ashamed even though it's not my fault. I am using Dermovate scalp application as I can't be given anything else because I'm pregnant. I am just praying that once I have the baby it will grow back. The thought of it not doing makes me feel sick. I was wondering if anyone has suffered from alopecia brought on by pregnancy or whether Dermovate has worked for anyone. Thanks
Hi, im 16 years old. I dont have alopeica, but for the last year my hair has just got thiner and its really starting to annoy me. I dont often straighten my hair, and i use heat protecter. Is there anything i could do like change my diet or anything else?
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