Wasn't sure whether to put this under this category or "Symptoms, Treatment Options..etc.), but since I have only discovered recently that I have Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia, I thought I'd post it here.
Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia, from my researching it, is the scarring type that will never grow hair back. It causes your hair to recede from the front and sides (sometimes the back too) up to five inches. Eyebrows can go too--often first.
My eyebrows have been gone for approx. three years (I chaulked that up to post-menopause--how wrong I was--I even asked my family physician and she wasn't sure why) and two weeks ago noticed my hairline on the front and sides of my head has receded an inch and a half or more. I don’t know HOW I didn’t notice the hair loss before!!! My FIRST QUESTION is, is that common, not to notice until it’s that far back??? It seemed to happen overnight! No clumps of hair came out, so it had to have been gradual.
I made an appointment with a dermatoligist that specializes in it in my area. Actually, he's the only one that specializes in hair and scalp around here. I cannot get in to see him until the end of September--four months from now. I've read there's no cure for this, but some meds may be able to keep it at bay for awhile or help it burn itself out before I lose too much hair. SECOND QUESTION--is there ANYTHING I can do from now until I see the doctor in September?? Because of what I've found on the internet, I am using Minoxidil 2% and Hydrocortisone 1% spray (both OTC) twice a day. Minoxidil will not make my hair grow where I've lost it, but it may make the hair behind it thicker to hide my hair loss (or so I've read).
Any help with my questions would be greatly appreciated.