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Comment by MJ on September 26, 2015 at 6:31am

I also think the perfect storm triggers FFA but have to think there is one or two commonalities that we must all share. Especially since all of the suspect causes have been around for decades ( ie hair dye, vitamin a, menopause, stress) yet this is apparently a new disease. What things became more prevalent since the 90's? flu shots? Use of omeprazole? Dioxins? Hormones or antibiotics in food? Overuse of antibiotics? Anti-aging skin care and chemical facial peels, GMO's in food? Microwaveable popcorn or foods in plastic? And is the rate of autoimmune disorders in general much higher than it used to be? It sure seems like it. Anyway, sorry for rambling..it is early in the morning. MJ

Comment by Mel on September 25, 2015 at 1:41pm

Thank you for all of your thoughts, ideas, theories. I do feel like it's worse for a single woman. :(
I was so bummed about my grays... Now I'd trade all gray hair for hair. I just don't want to lose it.

Comment by Classical Anne in NC mountains on September 25, 2015 at 1:37pm

I should have said that if I were as young as some of you are, I'm sure I would be more invested in finding a cause.  You do have my sincere sympathy.  But by the time we hit Social Security, many of us have learned to just say "It is what it is".  I do not mean to discourage anyone's search for answers -- I've simply realized there are too many complicated factors for an ordinary Senior Citizen to draw conclusions.

Comment by Classical Anne in NC mountains on September 25, 2015 at 1:04pm

Agreed. There must be a great number of triggers, which affect different women in different ways. All contributing factors, but no one of them the single cause. As Annie said, "the perfect storm" is a combination of multiple factors. My thyroid deficiency is just one of my many autoimmune issues. My FFA diagnosis is simply the last [I hope!] in a series. I would be happy to join in a medical study that seeks the cause and cure. But for now, I've just decided to accept it, to continue holding it back with scalp injections, and move on to better things in life.

Comment by SandyA on September 25, 2015 at 12:53pm

I don't recall from the Vit A article that the researchers were stating that excessive Vitamin A or that any specific form of Vitamin Atriggered the alopecia. I thought it stated that when rats already with a Vit A metabolism malfunction were exposed to higher amounts of Vitamin A, that their alopecia got worse. To me, it implied that they conclusively found that reducing the Vitamin A exposure controlled the disease more.

I'll have to go back and read it again to see if they gave any clue as to what caused the Vit A metabolism to malfunction to begin with.

Comment by Mel on September 25, 2015 at 12:21pm

Ugh. I really hate not knowing the cause. ... Perhaps different triggers can cause the same autoimmune response in different people? But it seems odd that this is "new" and first-ever diagnosed in the mid-1990s. That makes me think it's some environmental trigger, like the hair dye or something in our food. From what I read, they suspect a hormone connection, but none of the studies shows this to be true. I am not post menopausal, though it could still be hormone related. I have never had sensitive skin, and have dyed my hair for 10+ years. Now my skin seems sensitive, which I guess can happen when you're older -- discovered the FFA after going in for a reoccuring forehead rawsh. And I only recently upped the frequency of chemical hair dye so I have thought that could have been a trigger. But I quit the chemical dye immediately upon diagnosis. Have been using henna products. I also don't see Vitamin A in my products and actually, if anything, might have had a deficiency?? But eating much more now... I also have high cholesterol, for what it's worth. I am on the thin side, but it runs in the family. I'm getting it checked since I've been on the AIP diet for five months. Still no good sign the diet is working but I'm not giving up yet. May ask to see a nutritionist since AIP caused me to lose 10 pounds in 7 weeks. I don't want to lose more and worry a little about nutrition since my upper body looks a little bony, which is weird. I don't know if it's simply a calories in, calories out, issue, or a lack of something I need as I seek to avoid things that be causing my hair to fall out!! :(

Comment by Annie on September 25, 2015 at 11:20am

Hi all, I just found out this morning that my derm is retiring.  I have my 6-month appointment the end of October, then will have to find another doctor.  I'm in Springfield MO.  If anyone can recommend someone in my area, I would greatly appreciate it.  I'd like to find someone close, but could travel to St Louis or Kansas City or Arkansas for a good doctor.

Comment by Let's Solve This on September 25, 2015 at 10:59am

It sounds like it may be a combination of things.  As Annie said yesterday - something is creating the perfect storm to cause our bodies to react in this dreadful way.  I hope the studies that are underway will shed some light!  As for me, I have been highlighting my hair for almost 20 years.  The only things I've changed within the past few years -- I started using the skin products with retinol about 3 years ago, last year I started using the hair products that I referred to earlier, and about 2 years ago I changed to a healthier diet so that I could get off cholesterol meds (although it appears that I'll have to go back on them because my body is still making a lot of cholesterol despite all I've done to reduce it.)  I am 63 and went through a normal menopause about 9 years ago.  I have never taken any hormones.  I have always had somewhat sensitive skin so I try to avoid products with fragrance in them, always use sunscreen, etc.  I try to take good care of myself - I maintain a healthy weight, walk 4 to 5 miles a day, practice yoga, etc.  Losing my hair was not part of my plan :-).  So, who knows what is causing FFA - I just want to try to figure it out for all of us - and for other women so that they don't ever have to deal with it! 

Comment by LoriO on September 25, 2015 at 10:26am

@Will Be Healed, I'm with Classical Anne on this one.  I've only dyed my hair once in my life, and never used all those Vit A cosmetics.  All the articles say that FFA is a variant of LPP.  LPP is the hair form of Lichen Planus.  I have several different skin problems, all related to Lichen Planus.  I also have thyroid disease, and have taken thyroid meds since I was 16.  My doctor says my thyroid disease is also probably autoimmune related. 

That said, out of curiosity, I'm getting my Vitamin A levels checked next week.  I have in the years since first losing my hair, gone on a mostly Paleo diet, in which  I ate a lot of meat and eggs and sweet potatoes.  All good sources of Vitamin A.

Comment by Classical Anne in NC mountains on September 25, 2015 at 10:14am

I have never dyed or colored my hair in any way -- well, unless you count the different wigs I've been wearing.  I also have never used the cosmetic products Let's Solve This alludes to which are heavy in Vit A ingredients.  Of course, I'm sure I've ingested plenty of A in my diet, but can't imagine that it was ever enough to cause an autoimmune response.  And, as I've said before, I've been dealing with a large number of other autoimmune diseases and disorders for the past 20 years.  My hair loss and FFA biopsy diagnosis was just 2 years ago.  So I repeat that those A products may have helped to stimulate the FFA, along with hormones, stress, and all the other triggers we've discussed here.  I do not believe any vitamin alone is a single trigger. 

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