Wanted to share this with all of you. I haven't tired it but I am going. Let me know if any of you have or will be. Hope this helps.

http://www.fusionhealth.com.au/ecommerce.php?action=search&stk_...

http://www.fusionhealth.com.au/documents/fus722_alopecia_GoMag_pres...

Amanda, once I tried an ayurvedic treatment with essential oils (four essential oils, mixed with two carrier oils) but my scalp was very itchy, and it turned red in some places . It was a very uncomfortable sensation.I think it was a kind of allergy. I did it for three weeks, and then I stopped . Perhaps, I´ll try it again, for a longer time. I don´t know...

Hey all, I found a website that sells it cheaper than the companies website. I spent a couple hours researching. I don't like to spend a lot of money on this due to there are some companies that say that there products work etc. So if I can save a buck here and there .. I am all for it! =]

http://www.australianvitamins.com/

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VITEX-1000mg-Fusion-Health-120-tabs-/140586...

Anyone have any luck with biotin?

I've been taking biotin for about 4 years now. That and Vitamin D. I'm not sure if either has helped or not. I was AU and now AA with approx 80% regrowth. At this point I am going to continue taking the supplements.

Jeffrey- do you think the biotin was the catalyst for the change? I just read that people with Celiac's disease, which I am sure I have, need more Vit D than most people. Maybe this applies to all autoimmune disorders.

Hi Chris,
I don't know if the Biotin has been a factor or not in my regrowth. My guess is no. That said, I still take it regularly along with the Vitamin D. I guess we do what we can...

What were you doing differently or taking when your hair started to grow back?

I've been doing the same thing for about 4 years.

hi, i am new to this ive had alopecia areata for over twelve months, not knowing what the cause was, i was using clarelux from the gp but have stopped on my own accord, and for the past month or so i have lost my eyebrows and look pretty scarey

Hi Duranduranfan42 - I can totally relate. I had to have my eyebrows tatooed several months ago. They are starting to grow back now but they are they white hairs, not my natural color so they barely show up.

There are lots of good eyebrow tattoo artists out there now. Are you gluten free/dairy free? I suggest reading the book Wheat Belly because there are so many forms of gluten that are hidden in processed foods - ketchup, beer, spelt breads, buckwheat etc. I was so surprised.

Also google leaky gut - many autoimmune problems are associated with this.

I believe diet (GMO and processed foods)and managing stress (hormones) are the underlying problems, but of course we are all different so need to research depending on the other symptoms that present themselves in the body.

I had had alopecia for over 6 years. And I've been searching for answers every day of those 6 years. I used prescriptions initially, to mixed success. Here lately, we grow most of our food from a garden and I had stopped using any medications, yet I lost one of my eyebrows and an eyelid of lashes.

I read about the connection between leaky gut and autoimmune symptoms. I have been gluten free for almost 2 months now and all my lashes have returned, along with most of my missing eyebrow. I can see little white hairs on the bald patches on my head! I am looking for more things I can do to help my body heal... if anyone has any suggestions on top of going gluten free and GMO free (i'm working on that right now), I'd love to know. I am looking into taking liquid kelp and also into putting iodine tincture on the scalp. I suspect I have thyroid problems that go along with all of this.

I also have hypothyroidism - you may want to get your thyroid checked - it is really important to make sure it is functioning correctly - it affects everything in your body.

I actually did get my thyroid tested and the results came back within a normal range, however, all the women on my mom's side of the family have horrible hypothyroidism, so I still suspect that something is off on mine... I saw an Amish doctor once in Indiana. He used iridology and other holistic methods to tell me what he felt was wrong. He said I had low thyroid and heavy metals in my body. It was really interesting. He suggested using herbs to remove heavy metal buildup while using cell salts like kelps and such to help with the thyroid... I never really gave it a try at the time, but I am wanting to now. I really have had much better results by treating myself holistically.

I agree Majal. The medical diagnostics for checking the thyroid are very inacurate and many doctors only check the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) - they don't check T3s T4s etc.

I know the gluten arguement comes up time and time again but I encourage eveyone to watch this video featureing Dr. Tom O'Leary - there is so much great info here and useful links, tests etc.

http://undergroundwellness.com/gluten-sensitivity-and-celiac-diseas...

I just started following MindBodyGreen on Facebook, and it has some amazing posts that may be of value to those following this discussion. : )

Thanks btftbaldgrrl - you also shared the SCD site with me and I have been following this diet with amazing results, not just to my hair but to my sense of well being.

One of their blogs has just included a podcast with Dave Asprey, who turned his health around and discusses immunology and how the quality of food we are eating affects us. He also discusses the dangers of certain foods and probiotics. Check it out.

http://scdlifestyle.com/2012/09/how-to-bulletproof-your-gut-with-da...

A must see for all of us:

http://geneticroulettemovie.com/

If anyone knows of someone who lives in the DC or NoVA area and would like to join our alopecia group, please visit our Facebook page and request to join the group.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/canaaf/

To Kteacher - yes almost all of the people in my alopecia support group have seen seveal holistic doctors. I think if you can catch it early enough you can prevent it. I think avoiding inflammatory foods and reducing stress is huge. I wish you luck with it!

I moved to Pakistan and started seeing a great derm here and for the first time I learned that my hair loss doesn't have to be permanent. Along with using conventional medicine, he has been adding foods to my diet. Natural foods that will help to make my body healthier. I am noticing regrowth in my hair as I pursue a healthier diet which involves eating less processed foods.

I have suffered from eczema and reynauds in the past. Both of these conditions are considered incurable and my body has overcome them. I am confident that with enough mental, physical, and spiritual healing I will overcome alopecia too.

I have heard castor oil is good to promote hair growth.

Blackseed oil is also good to help with alopecia areata. I have been using it once a week for an hour before taking a shower and I do feel like it is helping.

I just started using the black castor oil on my son as recommended by a practioner this weekend. We'll see if it helps.

I read it takes 6/7 weeks before noticeable results

Good luck Angie!

The instructions I have is to apply 30-45 mins before washing scalp. Do you leave on or wash out after treatment?

I still have to try it. But I've read it most places that you should apply it at night and then wash it out in the morning.

These might help: http://www.naturalnews.com/hair_loss.html http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/herbsvitaminsek/a/Alopecia.htm

Hello! Things that helped me and my nephew: Diet (gluten, sugar, processed foods free); Low Dose Naltrexone; Lyme disease treatment; and treatment for heavy metal toxicity. Get tested for environmental toxins like heavy metals and parasites. It's amazing how much they can wreak havoc on the immune system. All my autoimmune issues are much better with a holisitc approach. Btw, I had severe eczema (skipped work some days with lesions) and now it is 99 percent gone. Also, I was on Advair 2xs per day and now I use albuteral once in a while. Claritin I was popping like candy and now I use Quercitin (also promotes hair growth). I'll stop here. Thank you so much for this group!

Hi Natalie! Would love to chat with you. My address is neilizzy@gmail.com My nephew and I both lost all of our hair within 8 months of each other. Crazy!

Mayo! I'm so sorry I've been out of touch for a while. I'm going through a rough time right now. Lots of personal stress. I've read your posts about GAPS and leaky gut. The driver for my leaky gut (sounds lovely) is Lyme and co-infections. My dark hair is continuing to grow and change. My entire head is not filled in yet. It's a very slow process. I'll send healing thoughts to your daughter :-) My e-mail is neilizzy@gmail.com

I agree with Angie...there is nothing out there that will help us grow our hair back. If and when the body reverts back to not seeing hair follicles as foreign your hair will start to grow and if they dont you wont be able to change that fact.  Maybe someday they will come up with something to cure this disease...wish it would be in my life time!