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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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Lucy

no the thing with this treatment is that it costs lots of money to put it in the us, the doctor who created this treatment told me that its a long process for treatment to be accepted there, you know..so nobody has heard of it or tried it before

Dec 29, 2008
Roger

Happy New Year Comment Graphics
Comments & Glitter Graphics for Myspace, Hi5, Orkut, Friendster

Dec 31, 2008
Lucy

Brittany!! happy new year to you too!!! i hope you have a wonderful 2009!!! you'll see it will be better! i know it will!!
i just arrived from tx so im gonna send you an email right now! so u can call me!
xo

Jan 2, 2009
Hayley Burton

no, i didn't go to louisville. was it great? i went to washington dc in 2007 and had the time of my life!!

Jan 2, 2009
JeffreySF

Hi Brittany,

I love your story and your photos.
I dont think we met at the NAAF Conference in KY.
I hope to see you in Houston.

Happy New Year!!!

Jeff

Jan 4, 2009
JeffreySF

Hey Brittany,

Whats more important to you your Graduation or the NAAF Conference?

Jeff

Jan 5, 2009
Maygensmom

My daughter is 13 and she is loosing her hair quickly on top. She lost all of her hair when she was three. Since that time it grew back and we have only dealt with spots. Now she only has maybe 15% of her hair left. Today she wore her blonde wig to school. This is her first time to wear it. She is very nervous. Yesterday when she wore one of her wigs, one of the kids asked her if she got her hair out of a garbage can. How cruel some people can be. I am proud of her for holding her head up high and going into school again today and embracing her difference. You have some great pics!

Jan 7, 2009
rj, Co-founder

I closed my Facebook account, but it sounds like you've got your hands full these days. ;-) Of course, I wish you great success with your photo portfolio. Oh yeah, congratulations on the "Craziest" award! LOL

Jan 8, 2009
Sharon

I just wanted to say hi Brittany. We live in New Zealand and just saw the Tyra show today. Nicole is 12 now and is AU she started to loose her hair when she was 8. It was really great for us to be able to sit down and watch your interview, thankyou for sharing something so personal and difficult with others. I do hope that life has gotten a whole lot easier for you now.
Take care Sharon

Jan 18, 2009
Alex

Hola,
Hey there! I can't wait to hear about how homecoming goes! i have my fingers crossed for you:) Hope your week is fab!!!!

Jan 18, 2009
Sharon

Hi Brittany thanks for the add. Have an awesome week.

Jan 19, 2009
Alex

DO IT!!!! its so much easier to get ready in the morning when you have no hair to worry about:)

Jan 19, 2009
Dotty

Hi sweetie,
Thank you for the lovely comment about my tattoos. I kinda like them too!! I missed the conference in Kentucky because my daughter was in a bad car accident and I had to cancel all my plans. I'm sorry I missed it. I'm sure you had an awesome time. I went to the 3 preceding ones and they were great. I will try not to miss any more. I just love hanging out with my "extended family"!!! I love your pics and I think you're awesome. I didn't get to see the Tyra show. Do you have it recorded anywhere because I'd love to see it. I really want to go on a talk show to raise awareness as much as I can. Hope to meet you someday.
Love and Hugs,
Dotty

Jan 19, 2009
Alex

say what???? thats silly...it's your head! if you want to shave it its totally up to you.

Jan 20, 2009
Sharon

I'm sorry to hear that Brittany...............It is a huge and very hard decision to make shaving the remainder of your hair off. When we had the last of Nicole's hair shaved she only had probably less than 10%. From my point of view it was like her taking control of her Alopecia and there isn't now the worry of whether it is coming or going. She had this done as she now has a Freedom wig which she luvs. Take care Brittany and let me know what you decide to do. Sharon PS I will try and get Nicole on here but man she isn't good at keeping in touch lol.

Jan 20, 2009
Jessica

hey mi amor! its me ya Jessie! you know I LOVE YOU!! XOXO Jess

Jan 21, 2009
Lucy

brittany how have you been???? i cant believe you're not going to texas, its so sad.. anywayss how have you been doing with your wig and everything?

Jan 21, 2009
Claudia

hi brittany! how r u?
thanks for the invite! I saw the special of tyra banks! I'm so happy you had that moment the makeover and the camera! it's so cool! You seem really brave and beautiful! I'm still trying to figure out what's going on with me I just know that I0'm shedding so bad for months and my hair became so thin! I just want to find a good doctor that can help me out :( .
Hope we can caht someday! keep in touck ok? take care

Jan 22, 2009
Sharon

thanks Brittany. I can understand your Mums feelings it is a really huge decision. How long have you had AA for? I guess if you talk to her about your reasons for wanting to shave your head then she may be more comfortable with it. I think Nicole looks georgous without hair (I'm biased of course lol). Take care and let me know what you decide to do.

Jan 22, 2009
Sharon

hello brittany,
hi I am Nicole Sharons daughter i am doing well and thank you for saying i am pretty.
how r u doing??

Jan 22, 2009
Amanda

Hey Brittany- thanks for adding me! I remember seeing you on Tyra!!!! How awesome of her to give you such great gifts.

Jan 23, 2009
Lucy

yeah im going to tx, well its like 90% sure but i dont know exactly yet, its so sad the ponytail is gone =(, it will come back youll see, just have lots of faith. there was a moment i was so bad, and i just had like single hairs in parts and i had the option of shaving my head, but i think it was too hard for me but now im kinda good, every part of my head is growing back because of the medicine i told you about, its working so good, i hope it stays like that.. xxxx

Jan 24, 2009
Lucy

yeah we're gonna miss u!
well yeah im so happy too about my hair growing back because right im kinda totally bald and little tint hairs growing..
your hair will grow back, u'll see!
you do want to shve everything right?

Jan 24, 2009
Jessica

I LOVE YOU!!!!! YOUR MY QUEEN <33

Jan 24, 2009
Liz

Hey, thanks for adding me as a friend. I think i saw that episode of Tyra...since in University I tend to not have a lot of classes and watch afternoon tv instead of studying/reading hahaha! Anyways, I hope all is well with you and nice to meet you :)

Jan 26, 2009
Lucy

we'll if you really do want to shave everything i think you should, but remember that is your choice :)

Jan 29, 2009
Claudia

Hi Brittany!
How r u? sorry for the delay Ive been busy with homework just came back to school! I'm sorry that you're having a bad time with your hair! It's ok if you want to shave it, I've been thinking that but family are asking me to wait and see what happens, but yeah it's your choice I'm sure you'll look beautiful!
take care! keep in touch

Feb 1, 2009
Frank

Hello Brittany,
I saw that you were logged on and just wanted to say hello. I saw the Tyra show that you were on. Very courageous of you. I went through high school with au and a wig and I can relate to your experiences. Thank you for sharing with everyone else.

Feb 6, 2009
Lee

love your hair styles, and colors!! Nice to see I am not the only one that wears a wig that likes to play with color ; ) you rock!

Feb 8, 2009
carly

hey!
im doing good
whats up with you?
i love your hair! is it a wig still?
its soo cute
haha

Feb 8, 2009
Jean

Hi Brittany
I live in So. California. My son 15 is really having a difficult time with Alopecia. What would you say has really helped you with this chapter of your life. Any suggestions would be so welcome.
I am originally for NY we go there often.....

Feb 9, 2009
carly

it looks really cool :)
okay i was reading your page and you love photograpy?
me too... i am saving up for a new camera, what do you like to take pictures of mostly?

Feb 9, 2009
ashton : )

hii brittany ! thanks for welcoming me , wow . . . i LOVE your wigg . i will probally have to get one soon

Feb 9, 2009
ashton : )

im good . . . how are you ?

Feb 9, 2009
Lee

Thats a great idea! Im getting new hair soonand I am trying to figure out a cool look as well ; ) People like my hair now, but I think maybe I want more red or something. I have recent pics of my hair on my myspace...listed on my page. Let me know if you have any ideas. You have a vacuum wig, right? Thants what i have.

Feb 9, 2009
Roger

Hi.

Im fine over here. Bad weather. Some snow but warm. How is NYC? =)

Roger.

Feb 10, 2009
ashton : )

thats coool ! i lovve it ! i have found soo many people who i can relate to . its awesome

Feb 10, 2009
Tana

Thanks for the welcoming...
[: I love your story, it must have been a fun experience with Tyra.

Get back with me.
Love,
Tana

Feb 10, 2009
Tana

Is your hair a wig? because it looks amazing.
I have never seen anything like it. I want one!!!
:]

Feb 10, 2009
Amber Lounder

Amazing pics!!! I love the one of you cropped with one eye peeking out

Feb 10, 2009
Lee

Thats fun! I had one that used tape as well, but I have zero hair, so the vacuum wig is good for me. I went through Freedom Hair though. Peggy knight couldnt do more than 12 inches. Freedom gave me 14 ; )

Feb 11, 2009
ashton : )

yea , thats col ! i lovee meeting new people

Feb 11, 2009
stacy

hiya! i moved from brooklyn now im in queens again =[

Feb 11, 2009
carly

wow you are so lucky, our town doesnt have anything likke that :) i wish they did, what were the pictures of? i would love to see them

Feb 12, 2009
stacy

ridgewood, like myrtle ave... the L train =]

Feb 12, 2009
carly

oh i will def look at them <3

Feb 12, 2009
Rayne

hehe thank you
I guess it was one good thing i got out of having alopecia :)
how are you today love?

Feb 12, 2009
Jessica

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!!!!!!! I <33 YOUUUUU ;D

Feb 14, 2009
Meme

hey..i have a question. Did you like the NAAF conference and do they still hold them every year? cause i want to go, but i dont know if i should.

Feb 14, 2009
Miss B

Hey Brittney.
Im well
I live in Riverdale.NY
How r u ?
thanx for welcoming me !!

Feb 15, 2009

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