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Permalink Reply by Christopher Blackett on October 18, 2014 at 1:49pm

Alopecia is an auto immune disorder, so naturally your immune system will be out of whack. See a dermatologist who specializes in auto immune disorders since you'll probably need over the counter medication. Part of the problem I experienced was anything that boosted my immune system would also exacerbate tje effects of alopecia.

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Permalink Reply by Sheila Pinder on October 18, 2014 at 2:21pm

I would recommend seeing a physician and a dermatologist. Your immune system could be low and changing your diet or vitamins may be beneficial to you. A physician can schedule blood work to see if you have any deficiences. The dermatologist may suggest products to assist with the ingrown hairs.

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Permalink Reply by willow on October 18, 2014 at 7:25pm

In Toronto there is doctor Nadine Hradsky, office down town Toronto, she's german I believe, she's been dealing with Alopecia for a long long time, told me the doctors in sudbury need a shake...lol  I"d go see her, She's to the point, but very very educated with Alopecia and autoimmune. She was my angel, comforter and encourager when I was a young adult.

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Permalink Reply by the Diarminator lol on October 18, 2014 at 2:22pm

Hay I found loosing my hair also ment loosing my nostrils hair. I work in construction and find I tend to get a lot of nose infections. Blowing my nose 3 times a day works wonders. Wearing a head scarf to cover my face in ceilings or in dusty environments is a great help don't mean to sound disgusting but a good pick with a tissue reveals all the dust witch is causing your infections.

My nails got real bad at one stage. Thinking and curling discounting and my fingers skin as well. Took vitamins for hair and nail skin from a health store and just started drinking water more and know they are fine :-)

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Permalink Reply by the Diarminator lol on October 18, 2014 at 4:52pm

Special one from a health store designed for just for hair nails skin. My nails were real bad I was real embarrassed (splitting ddiscouloiluring dents and flaking skin beside my cuttacals) know they are 99 %

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Permalink Reply by Liz on October 18, 2014 at 2:22pm

Hi and welcome! Love your picture. You look adorable. Without getting too deep, I just know how important it is to keep stress at bay which is tough since life can throw you some curves. One thing I found to help my nails though and it does work is Hair Essentials found on www.naturalwellbeing.com. My thumb nail started to split vertically down into the nail bed and freaked me out to the point that I bought a 6 month supply at a discounted price. It prevented further damage and strengthened and hardened my nails. When the vitamins ran out, to save money, I thought, I don't need these anymore...before long the split became fragile again and my nails became softer. Now part of my daily regimen, I highly recommend them. Hope this helps :-)

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Permalink Reply by Sara on October 18, 2014 at 2:41pm

Hi Ladyhila-

I too have alopecia but it is universals, so I don't have any body hair to deal with. I am fortunate because it seems that my immune system is on overdrive and I almost never get sick. Your comment on your nails caused me pause though. I had alopecia areata as a 10-year-old child and my nails were very bad. When my mother took me to the doctor, they diagnosed a problem with my  parathyroid gland. I had surgery when I was twelve for hyperparathyroidism. This is the name for an over-active parathyroid gland. It caused hair loss and problems with my nails... after the surgery, my hair regrew but my nails stayed thin and easily split so today, I simply to artificial ones. Have you been checked out by a doctor (preferably an endocrinologist)? Unfortunately, my hair regrowth was not permanent and I lost my hair completely at 27. I've been bald ever since. So I am not saying that this is the cause of your alopecia, but I am saying that other conditions can cause your symptoms, so please do go to your doctor and at least ask about it. 

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Permalink Reply by Amanda on October 18, 2014 at 3:06pm

I actually never get sick. I tend to have a bit of a year round allergy with a runny nose but that's it. I've had a history of vaccines hyper activating my immune system, so I haven't had one in a decade or so. I would recommend seeing your dermatologist, as well as a holistic nutritionist. I've had great success with diet, nail strength and overall health with what my nutritionist has done for me. I still get corticosteroid shots every couple months to keep my small patches of hair loss in check but overall things have been good. I even have eyelashes growing back after 6 years of losing them. My guess is your immune system is shot and need to get back in equilibrium. Good luck!!

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Permalink Reply by willow on October 18, 2014 at 4:16pm

Hello Ladyhila,

I am universalis and have been for almost 44yrs. Over the last ten, I have been very sick from one thing to another. It takes for ever it seems to heal things, and double if not triple healing time when I have any kind of surgery. Since a teen, it also seems I get nasal infections easily, and hubby says if someone coughs on tv, I will get it. It appears at times that I have no immune system at all. Now at 52, my eyes have begun to give me issues as well, I'm forever wiping them, or trying to get some fuzzy out, as the lack of eyelashes aren't protecting them. I also have thyroid issues, that make taking any kind of histamine a bit of a risk or feeling bad side effects. My nails have always been soft, and curl with my fingers. Almost claw curl idea. I feel Alopecia Universalis causes your body to be at risk of any kind of germ, as it doesn't have the rebound of germs like normal people face. Our skin is an organ, and I feel it's also a huge sponge. I"m careful to keep away from sick people, but not always successful. All and all, I believe Alopecia is poorly supervised by doctors, as they don't appear to go beyond the cosmetic aspect. I also feel they have not done enough medical discoveries in our area,  and in saying that, I feel it's a more complicated disease that we originally thought some 30 yrs ago. It appears as I'm getting older, this lack of immune system is affecting me more and more. I do take vitamins, and without, I don't feel energetic, and become even sicker at times. This is how my life has played out.

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Permalink Reply by willow on October 18, 2014 at 7:21pm

your right on with saying it's a symptom,  when I first joined years ago, The Usa, was doing a 10 yr study, anyone know what the outcome of that was?

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Permalink Reply by shelly on October 18, 2014 at 4:44pm

You need to see a natruopath who can advise on the correct minerals and vitamins to take. From what yoube said here I would say you need iron, zinc and vitamin c. ( have a look at the benefits of high dose vit c, its amazing) These all help your skin heal and fight infection. I guarantee all the dr will prescribed is antibiotics. Not ideal in the long term.
Also I believe iodine helps with thyroid issues.
The thyroid is a major when it comes to your health, so its important to get on top of it. Research all you can, I personally google, ask drs, natruopaths, people with said disorder to get more info.
good luck, hope this helps.
ps, always check with a dr or pharmacist before mixing medications, vitamins or herbal remedies

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Permalink Reply by Danielle on October 18, 2014 at 5:00pm

Hey gorgeous girl, not sure if it's the same test in the US but I was diagnosed with CVID a few years ago (common variable immune deficiency) which means I stopped making antibodies and exactly what you described, my body just couldn't heal like it once did. I go to hospital once a month for an infusion called Intragam (not to be confused with Instagram like some of the nurses do!!) ask for a blood test to check your IGG IGA levels ( immunoglobulin a and g). Xxxx

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