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Brittany

33, Female

Brooklyn, New York

United States

Profile Information:

Relationship Status:: In a Relationship
About Me:: My story from Self Magazine
https://www.self.com/story/what-its-really-like-to-have-alopecia

Article by: Sarah Jacoby

"At the age of 10, I had one bald patch that came and disappeared. I didn't think anything of it until age 12, when my hair started coming out again, but that time it was falling out in clumps. As a child you don't understand why you are going bald; I hid it from my parents because I thought I had cancer and I didn't want to worry them.

"After losing a good percentage of my blondie locks my mom realized I was losing my hair and something wasn't right. I was brought to the pediatrician by my mom. The pediatrician examined my scalp, said this is probably a case of alopecia areata, and referred me to the dermatologist. After meeting with the dermatologist, I was given an official diagnosis of alopecia areata. We started treatment immediately, which was topical ointments and injections into my scalp.

"After finding out my diagnosis, I became depressed. Losing my hair and being in junior high school wasn't easy—I was a huge target for bullying. My hair loss became so severe I had to begin wearing a hairpiece, which my fellow classmates pulled off of my head on a couple occasions. There were also rumors going around that I had cancer. The bullying that I experienced caused me to be self-conscious of my appearance and insecure. I was frustrated as well because none of my treatments were working, and the injections were giving me major headaches.

"Eventually, alopecia caused me to have complete hair loss on my scalp, loss of eyebrows and eyelashes, and complete loss of all body hair. A side effect of having alopecia is also ridges and brittleness in both fingernails and toenails.

"Every morning I wake up, pencil in my eyebrows, and apply false eyelashes. You never realize how important eyelashes are until you lose them; airborne particles can be a pain. After applying my makeup, my last step in getting ready is applying my wig. Then I am set to conquer the day. The hardest parts of having alopecia areata are finding wigs that are stylish yet affordable, dealing with the heat in the summer (it causes your wig to itch and your eyebrows to sweat off your face), knowing that your children could also inherit your alopecia, and being prone to other autoimmune diseases.

"I dealt with years of depression until I attended my first National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) conference at the age of 16; I realized after attending the conference that I am not alone with this disease. There are thousands of others also facing this disease, and meeting others with alopecia areata helped me to finally accept what was happening to my body. I became a support group leader for alopecia areata because I know this diagnosis can be difficult to handle sometimes. I host an annual event at my local minor league baseball team stadium for alopecia areata awareness.

"A diagnosis of alopecia areata is not the end of the world. If you are struggling with this diagnosis, please know you are not the only one. ♡ Find a local support group meeting or find support at naaf.org."

The Tyra Banks Show in May 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03FnS5YROyw&sns=fb

The Steve Harvey Show in October 2012
http://youtu.be/yzcQRn5QGkg

Today Show August 2017
https://www.today.com/video/4-women-open-up-about-losing-their-hair...;

Self Magazine May 2018
https://www.self.com/story/what-its-really-like-to-have-alopecia
Do you have alopecia?: Alopecia universalis
Are you age 18 or older?: Yes - I am 18 or older
Your Website (Leave blank if you don't have one):: http://Instagram.com/brittany_kayxo

Comment Wall:

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carly

hey it went really good
did school start for you?

Sep 3, 2008
Lacey

Yess i started. It went wonderfully actually thanks for asking!
How is scholo going for you?!

Sep 3, 2008
traci

last year of high school, congrats! any college plans? my summer is okay. i'm back home for another week or so visiting family before school starts for me and it's so hot over here in california!! glad i shaved my head haha.

Sep 4, 2008
Samantha

im pretty good just got back from the doctors!! =/ it wasent funn at all!
it sucked big time...
what have you been up to latley?
were do yo ucome form anyways if you dont mind me asking?!
i come from vancouver washington! :D
hugs!! =]

Sep 8, 2008
Courtney

nm.i have the bestest frens eva!

Sep 8, 2008
Courtney

im in the 7th grade. and thx!!! i like being adorable. xD

Sep 9, 2008
Zoe Dusting

hey britt!!
thanks for adding me as your nouveau amigo. i saw you tyra banks show thingy. That's pretty radical!! Anyways...how are you doing?
talk to you soon
xo
Z

Sep 10, 2008
rj, Co-founder

Hi, Brittany. Just wanted you to know that the episode of the Tyra Banks Show on which you appeared is still making a positive difference in the lives of others. Click here for the story of nine-year-old Andrea Quiroga. :-)

Sep 15, 2008
Lucy

Hey Brittany! how are you? i read your email..thnx for reminding me about the alopecia world i forgot about it..but anyways thnx..now we can talk here! :)

Sep 18, 2008
Zoe Dusting

hi britt!
i'm doing well thank you! stressful being back at school and all of that. So how was being on the Tyra show anyway? What did you think of her haha?

Sep 21, 2008
Lucy

brittany!! i feel so bad because i didnt got the change to say goodbye at the convention =( neither to ashley but anyways how have u been??

Sep 22, 2008
Karena

Hey Brittany!! I just wanted to stop by and say hi. How is school going? Hope all is good!!

Sep 23, 2008
Shana and Taylor

I cant believe you were on the tyra banks show....how did you get on????

Taylor

Sep 26, 2008
Shana and Taylor

OMG.....I cannot believe you got picked!!!!! That is like 1 in a million chance

Sep 27, 2008
Caroline

Hey =] wow I can't believe this. I just sent Tyra a fan letter the other day telling her about how I loved the episode with you in it and how sweet that was of her and now I just came across your page from a friends page! woahh small world huh? haha If you had a second to comment back that would be cool =] Hope to talk to you soon!
love & hugs
caroline

Oct 7, 2008
Peggy Knight

since every one loved us the Tyra show i think i am going to post the video!!!!!!

Oct 7, 2008
Samantha

sorry it took me so long to write back!!
yeah i hate the doctors!!
so what have you been up to latley??

Oct 14, 2008
stacy

hii!!

Oct 18, 2008
stacy

I just moved in with my father so i live in Bk now too =]

Oct 18, 2008
Amber

Hey brittany! i just stumbled across the Tyra show with the episode that you were in and it touched my heart so much. It just brought me back to my own high school, my own fears, and own emotions. I'm glad you were able to share your story and be a voice for the rest of the young girls out there. i didn't have that when i was in high school or anything like this community. God Bless you!

Oct 21, 2008
stacy

silly my name has no e in it =]

Oct 23, 2008
stacy

well my last name has an e in it =D

Oct 23, 2008
stacy

anyway, how's it going? its soo much easier for me to get to school now! its just one train!

Oct 23, 2008
stacy

'tis k. whatcha gonna be for Halloween?

Oct 25, 2008
Shana and Taylor

Omg you have a nose ring! in the pic at least....real?????

Oct 27, 2008
meaghan evelyn smith earle

Heeey

Oct 28, 2008
Shana and Taylor

hey again....wassup..havent heard from ya.

Nov 2, 2008
Sonia

Hi! You are sooo adorable.
Thanks for adding me, too.

Nov 12, 2008
Alex

Hey!!! i'm so sorry i haven't been in touch. i have been so busy applying for college and school and golf and speech and work...it's just crazy! how have you been? I'm running on empty but i like being busy! what grade are you in this year? i'm a senior finaly...so i get to go to college soon woohoo:) hope your doing well
-AL

Nov 20, 2008
Andie

Hi Brittany!
That's amazing that you went on the Tyra Banks Show! You are awesome! :-) I remember what it was like to be a teenager with alopecia. Always surround yourself with friends and family, and never be afraid to reach out to fellow alopecians for support. You are a very pretty girl!

Nov 22, 2008
Alex

I know...senior year is way stressfull!!!! there is so much going on...i just got done with golf and speech started! where does the time go? So how have you been? I am going through bald people withdrawls...haha. I always hate like December thru February cause i'm only half way to next conference! are you going agian next year? I'm already making plans to room with Lynn! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Shine on -AL

Nov 26, 2008
nrja

hi .. brittney ... recently saw yr video with tyra ...... it was great .. thanks ..

Nov 29, 2008
meaghan evelyn smith earle

Hi Brittany How Are You ?

Nov 29, 2008
meaghan evelyn smith earle

Nothing relle , being bored.

Nov 29, 2008
Caroline

Hi Brittany! I saw your comment back on my page but havent gotten much time on here until now so I decided to see how you were doing. I'm doing alright. I have the most spots I've ever had but we're doing our best to get them growing back. Hows everything? I was just watching your video from the Tyra show again because I just love it! I can't believe how mean people can be to us but I'm just thankful for all the support we get too =] Hope your thanksgiving was good!
love Caroline

Dec 1, 2008
Lucy

heyy brittantyy! how r u?? we havent talked for a while, i dont know if im going yet to tx this year, i hope i do thought, but r u going?! if i go you need to come too!!! ive been doing pretty bad about the whole aa thing, im almost all bald but im using hair extensions behind my cap, its really uncomfortable though but it covers it up, how about u are u doing good?

Dec 3, 2008
Jessica

Hey girl! Of course i remember you! Things are good over here, just got back from Australia for the past 4 months, how are ya goin? getting pumped for Houston?

Dec 4, 2008
Lucy

well i already have a wig but i dont use it a lot only when i go to parties and stuff but i feel son unforgettable wearing it.. im not sure wat im going to do about it & i have this huge party coming (its not mine) but im not sure if i should go i feel weird around ppl u know?? but yea ill send u my number by mail soon, i could call u because i have this thing that i pay and i get to talk all that i want to usa so ill call you but send me your number ok?? xoxooxoxoxoox miss youu

Dec 5, 2008
Roger

Hi!

I miss Louisville a lot!!!!

Roger "the swede"

Dec 5, 2008
Roger

Great photos!

Dec 6, 2008
Marisol

Hey Britney,

How are you girl? Thanks for showing me the photo. Like the hair. How are you? Are you going to the conference in Texas?

Dec 7, 2008
rj, Co-founder

Hey, Brittany. It's great to hear that you'll be graduating from high school next year. What are you college plans? What's your ultimate career goal? I saw the great photos you uploaded to Alopecia World, and I'm glad to see you sharing. :-)

Dec 8, 2008
Lucy

ohh thnx you are so sweet, i watched the pictures you uploaded, i wanted to cry :(, i miss you guys a lot. im calling you maybe this weekend, but im not sure though. theres only 2 more days for me and im out of school for holidays! yeah! im really happy because there was this guy here in monterrey that had alopecia and used this treatment (its like a kind of liquid, you put on your scalp) and he told me about one doctor that cured him ( i saw him personally and he has ALL his hair back, he was entirely bald!), so i went with the doctor last friday and he told me that i should use that substance and im using it right now and im starting to see hair!, its so tiny, i can barely see it. and the thing that im so worried about is that no one knows that treatment exists you know, and i asked the doctor why dont he promote his medicine nationally and he told me it was to expensive! i really do hope it works!!
xoxoxoxoo, lucy

Dec 16, 2008
Moni

Hey, Brittany. Just wanted to say HELLO. I live in Los Angeles and I remember the taping from the Tyra Banks. I remember yelling at my husband to come and watch it. One of my babies has Alopecia and so when I heard Alopecia I'm like "stuck" on the TV. It's cool to read more about you. How have you been doing?

Dec 20, 2008
Roger

Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year.

Roger.

Dec 21, 2008
Roger

Hey =)

Im fine thanks. How are you?

Dec 21, 2008
Moni

Hey, girl. We are not doing so good as one of my cousins is very ill in the hospital. She received a heart transplant 2.5 yrs. ago and she's had 4 heart attacks since Wednesday. My little ReRe is something. She's a little toughy. I have 3 girls she's in the middle. She is aware that she lost her hair but she doesn't mind. She just turned 4. Did you graduate from High School now? How is the weather in Brooklyn?

Dec 21, 2008
Roger

Hi..

It was great. Had lots of yummy food. How was yours? =) Any snow over there?

Roger.

Dec 27, 2008
Roger

Ohhh. You are the girl in the Tyra show =) Ive seen that episode =) COOL!

Roger.

Dec 27, 2008
Hayley Burton

Hey! I saw the video of you on Tyra's show. You are an absolute STAR. love ya xxxx

Dec 29, 2008

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