My daughter developed AA at 11 months old. This was around the time we transitioned from formula and rice cereal to a general diet.  She had rather rapid hair loss over the next three months, though she was developing regrowth in her earlier patches.   We then started a gluten free diet. Within two weeks we noticed a significant change in her bowels: firm,  not diarrhea-like, and only 2/day instead of 4-6/day. She continued to lose more hair for the next few months and then it stopped. She has not lost hair in over a month.  I was elated, and of course convinced there was a connection between her alopecia and gluten. Over the weekend (friday night) she was unintentionally given gluten (wheat starch in sweet potatoe fries).  She seemed fine Saturday.  Sunday morning she had a large, loose bowel movement (as before).  Sunday night when I was bathing her I noticed a hair in the bathtub......then several hairs in her comb when combing her hair afterward. I don't know if there is a connection with her ingesting the gluten?  Would it effect her hair that quickly?  Any thoughts on how long it takes to recover from an accidental ingestion? I would appreciate any input.

Stephanie