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Another member makes the news, and so does Alopecia World!
Raising awareness of alopecia in the Hunter
KRYSTAL ADAMS, Fairfax Regional News Network
2/07/2008 1:18:00 PM
One day in 2006, Leanne Dallen felt a sensation in the back of her head while travelling in the car.
She rubbed her scalp, leaned back to her daughter and said “What’s that?”
Her daughter replied: “Oh my God, Mum, you’ve got no hair!”
The Bellbird woman was diagnosed with alopecia, a hair-loss disease in which hair follicles are mistakenly attacked by the person’s own immune system – like your body is telling you your hair is foreign, as Leanne puts it.
Two years on, Leanne, now 40, has a scattering of bald patches and wears a scarf or wig to cover them, with people often mistaking her for a cancer patient.
And while alopecia does not damage a person’s physical health like cancer, coping with hair loss can prove challenging, with many people going through depression after their alopecia diagnosis.
“You don’t believe what it does do you,” Leanne said.
“As a person, I thought I was strong until I got this.”
While there is no cure for alopecia, cortisone injections into the bald patches and oral steroids have helped some of Leanne’s hair grow back, but said she cannot take these forever.
The exact cause of alopecia is not known, although some studies have shown a link to stress, and Leanne’s situation around the time of her diagnosis lends weight to this theory – she had recently had a car accident, an unexpected pregnancy and was going through a stressful time at work.
Alopecia can strike people of all ages, and hair can cause hair to fall out in strands or clumps.
Some people lose just patches of hair that grows back within a year, others lose all scalp hair and some even lose their entire body hair.
Hair can also fall out and grow back, over and over again. A woman Leanne knows, who has had alopecia since childhood, had her hair grow back when she was pregnant only to fall out again after the birth.
Leanne said much of the problem is that there is very little awareness of alopecia, and therefore little support.
She has chatted with fellow alopecia sufferers on a U. S. website called Alopecia World, but cannot find much support in Australia.
Leanne is now looking to start a group in the local area for people with alopecia, to raise awareness, offer support and hopefully find some answers.
If you or someone you know suffers from alopecia and would like to join a support group, phone Leanne on 4991 2978 or 0407 912 978 or email alopeciacessnock@live.com
FAMOUS PEOPLE WITH ALOPECIA
Neve Campbell (Party of Five, the Scream trilogy)
David Duchovny (The X-Files, Californication)
Telly Savalas (Kojak)
Patrick Stewart (Star Trek)
Matt Lucas (Little Britain)
Princess Caroline of Monaco
Christopher Reeve (Superman)
KRYSTAL ADAMS, Fairfax Regional News Network
2/07/2008 1:18:00 PM
One day in 2006, Leanne Dallen felt a sensation in the back of her head while travelling in the car.
She rubbed her scalp, leaned back to her daughter and said “What’s that?”
Her daughter replied: “Oh my God, Mum, you’ve got no hair!”
The Bellbird woman was diagnosed with alopecia, a hair-loss disease in which hair follicles are mistakenly attacked by the person’s own immune system – like your body is telling you your hair is foreign, as Leanne puts it.
Two years on, Leanne, now 40, has a scattering of bald patches and wears a scarf or wig to cover them, with people often mistaking her for a cancer patient.
And while alopecia does not damage a person’s physical health like cancer, coping with hair loss can prove challenging, with many people going through depression after their alopecia diagnosis.
“You don’t believe what it does do you,” Leanne said.
“As a person, I thought I was strong until I got this.”
While there is no cure for alopecia, cortisone injections into the bald patches and oral steroids have helped some of Leanne’s hair grow back, but said she cannot take these forever.
The exact cause of alopecia is not known, although some studies have shown a link to stress, and Leanne’s situation around the time of her diagnosis lends weight to this theory – she had recently had a car accident, an unexpected pregnancy and was going through a stressful time at work.
Alopecia can strike people of all ages, and hair can cause hair to fall out in strands or clumps.
Some people lose just patches of hair that grows back within a year, others lose all scalp hair and some even lose their entire body hair.
Hair can also fall out and grow back, over and over again. A woman Leanne knows, who has had alopecia since childhood, had her hair grow back when she was pregnant only to fall out again after the birth.
Leanne said much of the problem is that there is very little awareness of alopecia, and therefore little support.
She has chatted with fellow alopecia sufferers on a U. S. website called Alopecia World, but cannot find much support in Australia.
Leanne is now looking to start a group in the local area for people with alopecia, to raise awareness, offer support and hopefully find some answers.
If you or someone you know suffers from alopecia and would like to join a support group, phone Leanne on 4991 2978 or 0407 912 978 or email alopeciacessnock@live.com
FAMOUS PEOPLE WITH ALOPECIA
Neve Campbell (Party of Five, the Scream trilogy)
David Duchovny (The X-Files, Californication)
Telly Savalas (Kojak)
Patrick Stewart (Star Trek)
Matt Lucas (Little Britain)
Princess Caroline of Monaco
Christopher Reeve (Superman)
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Carol on
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Way to go Leanna! Way to go alopecia world! Every little bit of news out there makes everyone more aware. I too, recommend alopecia world to every alopecian I talk to.
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Permalink Reply by rj, Co-founder on
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Carol, thanks the encouragement and for recommending Alopecia World to every alopecian you talk to. I truly appreciate that you're such a positive presence in our beloved community. :-)
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Permalink Reply by as on
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I am from Czech republic and at our place isn't such place as is Alopecia world.Find information on alopecia it is not possible.I am is found as far as here on Alopecia world and am you behind this place most grateful.Along with next member Alopecia world Michaela warn rest at our place who have alopecia upon this spolcenstvi.Unfortunately at our place few people he can speak English.Michaela is brilliant man and try establish st. of that kind Alopecia world at our place in Czech republic,meanwhile only make - up conference.
Lastly I thank you yet once every this place and to all members behind mutual help each other.
Me much assisting instance of those brave and beautiful women that the prove manage that unpleasantness on behalf of alopecia.Man is first ruing,wherewith had to skirt,but must be admire and bow out before their bravery.If is mine benefit unfit upon this place,erase him please.Thank you
as
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Permalink Reply by Angela Jackman on
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Hi Leanne
I am Angela - I live in Brisbane and run a QLD support Group for Alopecia Sufferers - there is a group in Sydney - I know you are a reasonable distance from there but handy if you want any information as to how they run their meetings....
Would love to chat any time - home is 07 3829 0684
Angela Jackman
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