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Permalink Reply by Jennifer on March 27, 2012 at 9:52pm

Hi! My daughter (now 3 1/2) was diagnosed with AA in December 2010. We have had purely bald spots and thinning type spots. We see the head of pediatric dermatology at a university medical hospital. We use a topical steriod to the spots. We have had great results - within 6 to 8 weeks of losing the hair - the spot is recovered with hair. Unfortunately, we still have loss. I would say our cycles are about 4 to 6 months. Some times the same spots reappear - typically after 2 to 3 inches of growth. We definitely have a bunch of spots, but thankful they grow back. We live in Florida - so we wear hats in the sun - year round. The majority of the spots are on the top of her head.

I have gone through a roller coaster of emotions dealing with this - jealously of my friend's daughters with long beautiful hair, the why us?, etc. However, everyday I am extremely thankful that she is really young and does not understand yet - and really dread the day I have to explain it to her. However - it could be a lot worse - she is healthy, happy, and a fun loving beautiful child. I see/hear stories of children with cancer, autism, other developmental diseases/issues, and are thankful that it is JUST hair. Luckily, if it gets any worse - we can of course purchase a wig or such.

Hope your appointment goes well!
Jennifer

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Permalink Reply by E&C Mommy on March 27, 2012 at 11:52pm

Hi Jennifer--

Thank you so much for your reply. Our appointment at the dermatologist wasn't much different than I expected, as he confirmed the pediatrician's diagnosis of AA. We don't have any history of autoimmune diseases, that we know of, so this comes completely out of the blue for us. My husband does have substantial allergies and asthma, so perhaps that is where it came from...or maybe it's totally random. Do you know of any autoimmune illnesses in your family that could contribute to your daughter's condition?

The dermatologist prescribed a topical steroid and we began treatment tonight. I'm hoping that we don't see any more spots, but will deal with them accordingly if and when we do. I, like you, have already run the full spectrum of emotions and have a tendency to get completely ahead of myself worrying and thinking about what the future could or might bring. I am working my hardest to just accept this for what it is and enjoy every second with Evan (that's my two and a half year old). I've spent the last week distractedly playing with him while secretly trying to analyze his bald spot to see if it's grown, etc., and it's just not fair to him. He doesn't have a clue what is going on and is an adorable, amazing, happy, and loving little guy who is full of life.

I know things could be so much worse and it is certainly important to keep perspective. I think worrying is just part of the DNA that comes with being a mommy. The great thing about these websites is that there is a ton of support from people in very similar positions, but the tough thing is that most of the stories recounted are those where the alopecia has progressed pretty far. I'm guessing that a lot of the people who it remains a relatively minor issue for stop posting.

The one thing I've learned through my obsessive-compulsive behavior over this past week (haha...sad, but true) is that there are some seriously amazing people dealing with this, and a complete public unawareness that makes it all the more difficult. Whatever path this takes for my family, I would like to somehow help the cause and raise awareness. It IS only hair and should be treated as such.

Good luck to you and your little lady. :-) Let's keep in touch.

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Permalink Reply by ciearap6 on February 24, 2015 at 9:34am

Thanks so much for this post. I have the same emotions right now as I am dealing with my 3 year old little girl. I need the positive support from people like you! It is so relieving to read stories such as yours. It helps me greatly.
Thanks,

Cieara

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Permalink Reply by GardenJess on February 24, 2015 at 12:32pm

I think the comment above is spot on when it comes to most people posting here being ones whose alopecia progressed to a truly hair challenged state. I had a bald spot as a young girl. I remember being taken to a pediatrician who was clueless and just questioned whether I was drinking enough milk or my brothers were pulling my hair. The hair grew back, and I expect that would have been the end of the story had I not, decades later, had a really stressful, draining year. It took the hormonal roller coaster of having my third baby, years of sleep deprivation, physical depletion, and a lot of stress at home to get my hair to seriously fall out at age 45-46. I wouldn't assume the worst. I'm a mom of a three year old girl myself, and in some ways she helps me to keep alopecia in perspective. I would feel horrible if she started losing her hair, but you'd better believe I am doing my best to model that losing my hair isn't the end of the world and that I am not defined by what is on my head.

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer on February 24, 2015 at 8:41pm

Wow!  I cannot believe I wrote this nearly three years ago.  Interesting the types of emotions and experiences I was going through.  I will continue to give you some positive support.  In July 2012, our doctor change my daughter's treatment to a foam - type 1 steriod and a liquid - type 3 or 4 steriod.  We alternated the use and by December 2012.  We had a full head of hair.  In the last two years we have had minium spots.  During this time, she lost her leg hair - which we did not treat and most recently her back hair as well as the hair at the bottom of her neck.  We are extremely fortunate and how she has a head full of beautiful and long hair.  But the most recent loss episode with a few small spots at the bottom of her hairline on her neck - brought me right back.  My emotions were the same all over again.  In my heart I truly hoped it was over, but realized it is going to be good times and bad times.  Luckily, with facebook and the nice community, I see a lot of people with AA and even AU living wonderful lives with beautiful wigs.  Again - if this is our worst case scenario and we still have a healthy, smart child - I will take it any day.  Now my daughter is 6.5 years old and we will obviously have to tell her what and why it happens next time.

Best of luck!

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Permalink Reply by ciearap6 on February 24, 2015 at 9:26pm

I appreciate it very much

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