Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Christine on November 10, 2012 at 1:05pm

I know how you feel, I developed AA when I was in my forties and I've thought about my sons ever since. My oldest buzzes his hair and it is light colored my youngest has black hair and has fantastic hair, he has always styled it, and I can really worry about him, I wouldn't want either of them to get this, in some ways I think it's more difficult for the guys, unless they can rock the totally bald look, which on some really looks good, I don't think either of mine could pull it off. I can get myself pretty upset just thinking about it. I have read some conflicting things about the likelihood of it being passed down, I'm the only one in my family with this, so I'm betting on it not effecting either of them, now that I have two grand babies I'm trying not to worry about them.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Me&myGirl_Aussie on November 11, 2012 at 6:19pm

Im not trying to make you worry, but thought I would share my story. I have had alopecia totalis since I was 12 and Universalis since I was 30 now.
I always had this fear too, and just at the begining of this year it came true. I was bathing my daughter (who was 8 at the time) and I noticed a bald patch in her hair. I broke down and was a mess (thank god my parter is great support) any way as it was falling out (took about 3 months) I got myself together, and I was the best help my daughter could have had, having alopeica myself. I went to the AA association, got school packs and letters, went to her school talked with her teacher and the principle. We got great help and distributed letters to the whole school. Brooke had show and tell with the class regularly as she was loosing her hair, taking in bandanias, then wigs to show her class..... all the kids are behind her and wonderfull towards her. Then I got her a freedom wig like myself, and I will never forget the night she said to me "mummy you know was are very special, cause we are both different to all the others but you and me are the same" it was beautiful.
I made her experince the opposite of mine, which was terrible at school and secretive, with the internet now and access to so much information it was easy. I have also got her 2 pen pals whom she writes to of the same age, and she loves it, they send each other photos etc....
I also took her to they royal childrens in Melbourne, and she is starting a DCP treatment over the summer holidays.
She also has a lot of hair regrowth with just a few patches missing - so she has not developed alopecia like I did, as mine fell out in a week, and never grew back.
So if it does happen to your kids, just remember, you are actually the best support a child could have because you have the experience and the world at your finger tips. All the best x

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tallgirl on November 17, 2012 at 7:05pm

I have had AA, AU and AT since 1963, but none of my kids or grandchild has lost hair.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bald and Fabulous AKA Terri on November 19, 2012 at 9:01pm

This is a fear of mine also. And one that I dont like to think much of. As a single 37 year old who has been living with alopecia since 8. I have made the decision not to have children.

• ▶ Reply