Hi Marsha, I wanted to welcome you to Alopecia World. I can honestly say that we are a great community here and I hope you enjoy the time you spend with us.

Cheryl
co- founder

Hi Marsha, I am cindy and have a 6 year old with 100% hairloss and not coping well. My daughter, well, she says she just wants to wear wigs..I saw your post on the chat room page about asking if you should tell..How old is your daughter? My daughter's teacher know and close friends. Other then that, I have not shared her AA with the whole class, etc. Although, sam has told her peers she has a wig I think..Sam is very comfortable with who she is..If you would like to chat further let me know..How long has your daughter had Alopecia?

Hi, Cindy. My daughter is 8 years old. She is very shy and sometimes she will not even talk about it. Her hair is there but there is spots that she has none. We have just gone to the doctor and she had injections done to see if that will bring her hair back. Sometimes I don't want to upset her because I don't want to do anything to make her hair fall out more.Marissa's teacher's know and some of her friends. There was a time were one of her classmates said to her why do you have a bald spot and her reply to that was I dont. I'm so glad that this site is here for me to talk to people that are going through the same thing. Thanks for the info. talk to you soon.

I'm 15 and I lost all of my hair my first year of high school. I am actually homebound this year, my teachers come to my house, because kids in school were so cruel. I lost every friend I had before I lost my hair. It depends on how old your daughter is. I would def. say people that will see her every day, should know. I know that most people think that it's automatically cancer. It may be a struggle dealing with the teasing, but coming out and telling them will show that she is at least slightly comfortable with it. There will always be kids and people that laugh, but any friends she loses, were obviously friends with her hair and not her. If it's something she'll have to deal with forever, she shouldn't deny it. You shouldn't say anything unless it's okay by her though because she needs to do it when she's ready and comfortable.

I know from experience too that you shouldn't try to show her wigs, and buy eyelashes, and all that stuff to help her hide it unless she asks you to. My mom did that with no intentions of hurting me, but she did. It made me feel like she wanted me to hide it because she was embarrassed and that's why she did it. You don't want her to think that you are ashamed of her, because that will tear her down, especially if some friends leave her.

Hello Marsha, My name is Maria and i have a 6yr old with AU, she has total hair loss head and body, She has had it since she was 3yrs old. She lost all her hair pretty fast within 3 months i think. I know you wonder about how to handle this and help your daughter, I really believe it is on the individual, I think you need to explain to your daughter what she has and she may lose all her hair she may not but it is nothing to be ashamed about and their are treatments and wigs or she can wear hats it should be all up to her though...I think it is best for her to tell her classmates what she has when they ask, that way they will know. My daughter is 6yrs old and everyone knows about her condition but honestly no one ever picks on her or treats her diffrent, she has so many firends that come and play with her, She stays very active, she is in softball, dance class, did cheerleading...i have her hats made for her dance recitals and cheerleading, she wears her hats under her helmet in softball, she seems to find away to do everything she wants too....Savanna doesnt go any where with out a hat on, but that is her security, I wish she would wear her wigs but she doesnt like them she says that itch and they are uncomfortable, we are waiting for the vacumed sealed wigs from locks of love this summer and i hoping she will then want to wear it...but her decision our hers not mine and i support her 100% on what ever she wants...I wish you and your daughter the best of luck. Maria