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Is it true that how quickly you lose hair is the best indication of how severe it will eventually be?
Hello,
When I first developed alopecia earlier in the year, I only had the one bald patch. Lots of people told me not to worry about losing all/most of my hair, as that only happens if you lose nearly all of it very quickly. Admittedly, none of these people actually had personal experience or specialist knowledge about alopecia! (maybe just trying to reassure me??) Anyway, I only had the one patch for a good couple of months, so thought maybe they were right.
Last month I noticed a second patch. And more recently, now have six patches in total. Three of these are very small. One of them is still quite small, yet has doubled in size in the past fortnight.
I just want to know - is there any thing at all, any physical signs etc, that can indicate how long I'm going to be shedding for?? People say it's unpredictable. But there must be some tell-tale signs?! I've noticed I get a lot of 'exclamation point' hairs - the tiny spikey ones on the edges of the bald patches - this means it's still active, right? So once they disappear, does that mean it's inactive??
I know I'm probably clutching at straws for an answer, but I really strugle with the 'not knowing' element of this. I like to be able to prepare myself and have a strategy!
When I first developed alopecia earlier in the year, I only had the one bald patch. Lots of people told me not to worry about losing all/most of my hair, as that only happens if you lose nearly all of it very quickly. Admittedly, none of these people actually had personal experience or specialist knowledge about alopecia! (maybe just trying to reassure me??) Anyway, I only had the one patch for a good couple of months, so thought maybe they were right.
Last month I noticed a second patch. And more recently, now have six patches in total. Three of these are very small. One of them is still quite small, yet has doubled in size in the past fortnight.
I just want to know - is there any thing at all, any physical signs etc, that can indicate how long I'm going to be shedding for?? People say it's unpredictable. But there must be some tell-tale signs?! I've noticed I get a lot of 'exclamation point' hairs - the tiny spikey ones on the edges of the bald patches - this means it's still active, right? So once they disappear, does that mean it's inactive??
I know I'm probably clutching at straws for an answer, but I really strugle with the 'not knowing' element of this. I like to be able to prepare myself and have a strategy!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Rose Marie' on
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I think this is the worst thing about alopecia areata....not knowing what is going to happen. Nobody can tell you what your hairloss pattern or the duration of your hairloss will be. For me that was one of the worst things to understand and get my head around.
Try and go with the flow and live in this day. Your alopecia may go into remission or it may not.
Hugs
Rosy
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Permalink Reply by AJ on
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thanks rosy. i kind of expected that there'd be no clear answer...but i can't seem to resist trying to second guess in my head!!! but thank you. you are right. living in this day is all anyone can do i suppose, alopecia or otherwise. 8-}
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Hi
I do understand how you will be feeling as I did the same thing when my daughter first lost her hair. Give yourself time - you are doing great.
Rosy
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Permalink Reply by Carissa on
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I doubt that. I was diagnosed when I was 3 andthe worst my aa did was give me thin hair. A year ago - I lost it all. And now I've got regrowth on one side of my head while the other side falls out. It varies depending on my aa's mood, I think. But no, for me, that idea doesn't work.
Its really all just on the person. I don't think there's any way you can try to pinpoint something like this. It just kind of does what it wants, I think.
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Cheers guys.
Carissa, thanks for sharing that. I think you're right.
I think it's human nature to assume the worst won't happen. When I first told my family, they thought I was joking!!! (still do half the time!)
Is that a wig in your photo?? It looks amazing!
Rosy, thanks for the vote of confidence 8-]
Bald Tan - thanks, I will! I'm glad you're a happy octopus head! My hair looks like crap right now. I've been neglecting it and telling myself there's no point caring. Actually, I might make an appointment and treat myself to a session at the salon.
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