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Worse in the winter???
My 6 year old who has been in remission for over a year has developed 4 patches in the last 2 weeks. Can winter be a cause of hair loss? We live in Mixhigan. Cold and not much sunshine this time of year
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Nor75 on
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I hate it when children suffer from this.
Yes, it is very common that flare-ups of AA occur during winter month.
These days it is very popular and the big trend to suspect a lack of vitamin D behind this. Partly this is true, but it is not the full story - otherwise more people with vitaminD supplementation would get much better, which many do in fact, but not enough to blame it all on vitaminD.
The complete story is that UVA light plays an important role. It compromises immune related process in deeper regions of the skin and it goes deep enough to reach the hair follicles (which UVB does not). Therefore many perceive to get better with AA during summer holidays, and get worse when returning home. And therefore tanning beds are very effective against patchy AA and prevent AA from occurring. At least two times a week on a medium dose.
This topic is a mega hot potatoe and not discussed very much, amongst others because it works better in people with a brighter skin colour. Also people will start yelling because of "side effects"... like always when it comes to AA.
Thanks to latest science and research, smart people know that tanning beds are no harm for people with AA anyway.
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Thank you for your response!! I have read some about this and have thought about the tanning bed idea. Of course I’m sure not all would agree to expose a 6 year old to a tanner. Do you have any references you can give me? I am concerned about Vitamin D too because she has a dairy allergy. Last winter she lost some too but she had vaccinations in a June which triggered 2 patches to form. They grew back but she seemed to shed all winter long. I thought it stopped when I doubled up her Vitamin D but this year it doesn’t seem to be working. Thank you again.
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There is no direct reference as to AA. You may google the relevant terms to get an idea. In particular you may look up what is reported as to Psoriasis and tanning beds. The psoriasis community is in many ways much more educated about their condition. I have AA myself and a child of the same age like you have - also with AA. I would take my child to a tanning bed in winter a few times regularly (mild dosage of course) and simultaneously make a shedding record (ie count the number of hairs being lost, for example every morning in the bed by use of a hand phone light). Then you will find out whether this has any impact. It is important to note that in AA nothing is to be used as a “stand-alone” therapy. I am giving Aloe Vera juice daily (50ml) and I am using Dermovat. And never make any compromises! There is big rethinking going on as to AA and children/adolescents after cases of teens committing suicide In Australia. Use Prednisolon in case things deteriorate. Good luck and God’s blessing!
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Thank you. My daughter started losing hair at nine months old. By the time she was 18 months old she had lost 40% of her hair. The diagnosis is so discouraging and devastating. It’s so out of my control which I Struggle with as a mother. My daughters great aunt and great uncle have AA and AU Though both did not develop the condition until they were in their 50s. We have been on a gluten free and dairy free diet since she was 12 months old. I felt like we had gained control with this. She had complete refrowyh and we went nearly 3 years without any hair loss. A year and a half ago I tried to update her vaccinations. I had put these on hold after her massive hair loss at 12 months old at which time she had received several vaccinations. Like I mentioned earlier, after the two vaccinations 18 months ago she developed two patches. They did grow in but this was followed by shedding which seemed to start around November/December. I have tried to support her immune system as much as possible. She takes a daily probiotic, elderberry, omega-3 and vitamin D. We are very strict with our vitamins and our dietary restrictions. Again, I am probably naïve to think I actually had this under control and for the first time I feel like we are having loss without a good explanation or trigger. This is very scary and disheartening for me. I just want her to feel normal. She already is a bit alienated at school because of her dietary restrictions. She can’t have a lot of things the other kids can have. Prayers to you and your little one. It’s refreshing to talk to someone walking in our shoes.
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Hello, I know your struggles. I have been dealing with this for years. What is the daily diet of your daughters? I am curious. I went on a somewhat restrictive diet and had decent results, but not 100% regrowth. I now have switched to a different diet with another theory behind it and I am getting better results. You can check out my story here https://www.alopeciaworld.com/forum/topics/aa-for-3-4-years-partial... I will upload some updated pictures here soon.
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Hello! We are essentially Paleo. Strict no dairy, no gluten. Advised by a Naturopath (and dear childhood friend of mine). I read Mickey Trescott’s The Autoimmune Wellness Handbook. She also has a cookbook. I just recently read The Wahl’s Protocol by Dr. Terry Wahls. Amazing story and a great read for anyone suffering with an autoimmune condition. With her diet we need to eliminate more sugar and beef up on fats and veggies. (You can have wine too) The diet is a bit difficult to do with a 6 year old but I plan to push this a little more since we seem to be in a relapse again. Dr. Wahls also has a cookbook.
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Interesting to me. I was on the Paleo diet as well. I had decent success. But not full regrowth. I would suggest taking a look at the book I read. The Plant Paradox - By Dr.Gundry. I have full regrowth on my head with just changing the food I eat. I have had even more success after adding supplements to my diet. The book challenges everything you know about food. I know the paleo diet is meat/fruit heavy, but there is a specific reason why mass produced meat is bad for people with autoimmune diseases. Dr.Gundry explains why. It all comes down to lectins. I have essentially eliminated them from my diet and feel WAY better and have watched my autoimmune disease stop and start to reverse. I stick to grass fed/grass finished meats along with wild caught fish, not farm raised. I believe this is 100% key to success. I will continue updating my post every 1-2 months with my progress, I essentially lost 70-80% of my full body hair before this I started this diet. Also it should be noted he is one of the best heart surgeons in the world and quit that job to pursue his research in the field of gut health. He has numerous years of success and tons of research to back his diet plan.
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Thank you for the information! I appreciate it very much. So happy for you and wish you continued success and wellness!
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You are welcome! I hope things get better for you!
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Don’t be afraid about loosing control. It is normal that it flares up in winter. I painfully learned that lesson many times as I am living with AA for 27 years now.
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Thank you for the support. My aunt has been in a clinical trial the last 3 months and they have extended it for another 6 months. She has patchy AA and has been in various stages and utilized a wig during her worst times. She is doing excellent in the trial. Has nearly 100% regrowth. It is a topical. She has not had any side effects. There is hope. We all need to stay hopeful.
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Thank you for that info. We are in Europe and so far only hokus pokus was trialed here, in fact an onion-coffee-bean-extract, fully in line with the perceived wisdom: “for AA patients only the mildest stuff, regardless whether it helps!!” It is a bit of a hogwash
BUT: a few days ago it was discovered that Pfizer has received an EU trial number for their new medication, plus it will trialed in preadolescents as well. That was a great relief for many over here. It means at least some Europeans will have the chance to trial a real medication.
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