I have posted this as a comment before, but things are gaining momentum so I need to post again:

I have had alopecia since I was 12 years old, started as areata, then totalis, universalis.  I did all the treatements and it would almost grow all the way in then fall out again.  This happened several times.  In college I stopped treatments and began wearing a vacuum wig, which I still wear.

This past summer I felt at a standstill with my life.  I was really paying attention to how I felt for the first time, and honoring that.  It was hard and scary to realize how pissed off I am about having to deal with this disease.  I felt so powerless and also frustrated at the prospect of the "no cure" I refuse to accept that. 

I began doing tons of research.  What I discovered is that many auto immune diseases stem from an internal issue with the gut- specifically from food allergies.  I remembered as a kid I was tested and came up positive for a bunch of food allergies, but it was an incredibly restrictive diet and I was just a kid, my mom felt it was too difficult.  I have been off gluten for years and hadn't seen much help from that. I've had some digestive issues for many years, not really noticing how bad it was until I recently made changes in my diet and began to feel better than I ever have. 

Alopecia can be linked to leaky gut syndrome- a condition where the intestines can't process the food the body is allergic to and the food starts to seep through into the blood stream, which creates the auto immune attack by the white cells which we have all hard so much about.

about four months ago I went on an anti inflammatory diet, which I continue to learn more about and refine as time goes on. right now this involves:

-no gluten

-no dairy

-no meat

-no sugar

-no alcohol

-no caffeine

-no soy

-no gmo's/ processed foods

-no fried foods (just recently added, seems very important)

-no corn, eggplant, tomato, potato

I know this is a really intense way to live, it's a complete lifestyle change.  But I feel better than I ever have felt.  I looked in the mirror this morning to see that the fuzz on my head has increased- some hairs are a quarter inch long, and after I take a shower and rub my hand back and forth I can see how much there is- they all stick up from the static.  My boyfriend even noticed and commented on it without my prompting.  I also have eyebrow fuzz and white eyelashes on both eyes. 

This is coming from someone who has had alopecia for 13 years. I'm 26 and never thought I would see a stitch of hair on my head again.  In addition to all the above things, exercise is really important to reduce my stress levels and detoxify my body. I also drink a lot of kombucha (probiotic) to help balance the bacteria in my gut.  I'm basically flooding my body with fruits, grains, nuts, and vegetables right now.  I also recommend doing a liver cleanse and or a metal cleanse which comes in herbal supplements from healthfood store.  When I was having stomach issues earlier this year I took lots of herbs to heal my gut- kava, slippery elm, marshmallow root, and licorice were a few. I also don't drink tap water as it's loaded with chemicals that are hard for people who are detoxifying to digest.

This disease IS hard, I think the medical field tends to diminish the suffering of alopecians since it's not life threatening- also they don't really know much about it.  It's treated dermatologically but I firmly believe it is a symptom of an internal bodily issue.  I refuse to accept that it's impossible to cure and I am proof that there is hope.  My results might seem not that impressive yet but for me it is huge. 

If you can, try acupuncture as well.

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This is great news Paulina!  My son had similar success with the same type of dietary restrictions.  It is very difficult at first, but it really helps this condition.  Keep it up and I wish you every success!

I wish you success! It makes sense to try the natural path and you will reap benefits. I have listened to some lectures on the anti-inflammatory diet and what can be causing the increase that we are seeing in auto-immune diseases. Please keep us posted on your progress.

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