Hi everyone!

I am 21 and was recently diagnosed with Alopecia Areata in November after having a very intense month of bacterial pneumonia. I quickly lost all scalp hair (95%), leg hair, and arm hair. (i'm liking not having to shave my legs though! haha). I did the injection and steroid cream route but it just didn't seem to make sense to me. I understand that the steroids act as an immuno-suppressant, but as soon as you stop the steroids, the hair falls out because your immune system goes into attack mode again. I've been taking some alternative routes (vitamins, stress relief, acupuncture, etc), and i've noticed my entire scalp is now covered in white hairs (some are turning brown!!), and my legs/arms are covered in white hairs too. I was just wondering if people have had similar experiences with regrowth, and if the white hairs are a good sign or not? I'm hoping they are because wigs are quite hot in the summer!

Also, any tips for coping? I had a tough time at first (rude comments by people about looking like a "freak," feeling unfeminine and ugly, uncomfortable with wigs and baldness, etc), but I'm slowly starting to accept it with the support of my boyfriend and family. But I would love any tips for feeling pretty and feminine again, without hair or with a wig.

Thanks!!

- Julie