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Could it happen again?
Almost two years ago I had alopecia areata. At first my doctor thought it was scalp ring-worm, then scalp psoriasis, but after nothing I took or did for those things worked, he then diagnosed me with alopecia. I got steroid injections in the both spots (first spot was on top of head, second came sometime later in side of head), and growth started, but then I went back again in a month, and got more. I still felt it wasn't growing back enough, so I went back a month later, but he refused to give them to me noting that growth was happening very well, and he mentioned something about "head indentation". Eventually, it grew back the way I liked, and it's been fine since (I'm still battling flaking though). Any way, my question is, has anyone here fully recovered from it and never got it again? Or is it something that will eventually happen again in the future?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ernesto on
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Aimee, I love your response. I have the exact feelings as Dave. I've only had one spot for 3 months now. It started small and grew considerably. I got injections and am seeing regrowth, although it is slow. I still have a few hairs fall out here and there but it feels like the falling out is slowing down now. The biggest problem is the blow to my ego, but I have convinced myself that it will go away. My dermatologist told me that 80% of people do go into full remission within a year, and she said she's rarely seen someone over 30 develop alopecia areata that has grown to AU. She's instructed me to be patient.
I came on this site desperate looking for some hope, and was a bit discouraged as most people on this site have AU or AT, and most having had it since childhood. I wondered why no one in my position was on here. Then reading your response, it made total sense. Anyone with a mild case that goes away wouldn't be on here!!! In the meantime I'm convinced I will be one of those people, but I won't leave this site.
Hang in there Dave. Hearing your story is one of those that really makes me feel better about it.
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Permalink Reply by Mary on
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I think you're right, Aimee - if the hair comes back, they probably won't be here.
Interesting, Ernesto, that your dermatologist told you AU rarely develops from over-30 onset AA. I had my first bald spots and diagnosis of AA at age 47, and went to AU at age 55. But, it does sound like this isn't the norm. The bottom line is that there's just no predicting. After being AU for almost a year, I now have some regrowth, but only from my eyebrows to my chin! No predicting.
Mary
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Permalink Reply by Dave jones on
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Ernesto - I saw you mention in another thread about a hair pulling "trick" you do to see if you have a new spot. My question is, what if you have short hair? Can I still tell if a spot is going to come if I pull at an itchy spot, or will it just appear?
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In regards to the hair pull test.....I guess the theory is that some people experience mild itching on the scalp and for some people, this is where a new spot may develop. You can do it with short hair too, as my hair is usually buzzed on the sides and in the back. My Dr. made me promise to stop doing it, because it wasn't helping my situation any. The big spot I do have never itches and didn't itch prior to developing, so I think I may be freaking myself out too much...
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Hi Dave,
I have searched everywhere on the internet for the past few months looking for success stories, and the only place I could find sucess stories and success rates was in medical studies and reports. I concluded that if AA goes away, people stop getting on AA sites since they are no longer looking for support or answers. So I hope you and I are in that 80%! And hope that percentage keeps growing!
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Permalink Reply by Jill on
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Hi Dave,
My dad has/had AA. He gets a tiny little spot on the back of his head every once in a blue moon. I really think the only reason he even knows it's AA is because of me when I developed AU. If it wasn't for me having AU I believe my dad would've gone his entire life without knowing he ever had AA. I'm sure there are many more people out there that had it once and never got it back. Many may not even know what that bald spot was all about. I agree with everyone else, you probably aren't going to find those people on here. Stay positive. Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Amber Lounder on
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Hi Dave Funny... we are all here looking for some sort of solution or answer I got AT one year ago (very quickly it happened) today it's 80%regrown. My aunt had AT as well and had full recovery without any other incidents. Now ..I lost my eyelashes this week on my left eye ,so my feeling of ease and security got a little shaken. DO BE POSITIVE...because you know what? It doesn't REALLY matter. The Dave as you know him will still be Dave only new and and improved - no matter what happens.
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Permalink Reply by Georgie on
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OMG! Your story exactly! 2.5 years ago, ringworm!!!!!! I was prescribed an oral antifungal for something I did not have!!! Crazy. Finally said enough and went to a dermatologist.
Don't worry about the indents. Hair growth is what firms up the spot. That's why babies have lumpy heads until they get hair.
I don't know about a "full" recovery. It's too soon for me to know...others may have a better answer. No new spots for me since Easter. Slow hair growth. I've been using jojoba oil for itchiness and flakiness. I put a few drops on my palms, rub together and then massage it into my scalp at bedtime. Then I shampoo it out in the morning. Hair feels good, scalp feels good.
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Permalink Reply by Sarah on
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i lost my hair for the first time 3 years ago. i lost everything except for a small patch in the back of my head, even lost my eyebrows. about a year later i started getting regrowth in patches. eventually, i almost had a full head of hair, except for the areas around my ears and neck. then about 6 months ago it started again. i thought i was going to be in the clear since i had went 2 years with no fall out.
the only thing i can tell you now is to just be prepared. it is best to come to terms that it can and may happen again instead of thinking alopecia is a one time deal. although you could be in the clear. its different for everyone.
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