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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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JeffreySF

Hi Brittany,

All is good here.
Have you met Alex before? She's a hoot!!!
Can't wait till NAAF 2010

Jeffrey

Nov 9, 2009
JeffreySF

I went to Louisville too. I wonder if we met...That was my first conf and my first year with alopecia too.
Hope you are having a nice night.

Jeffrey

Nov 11, 2009
JeffreySF

I can hardly wait for Indy!!!
All is good here. Hope so with you too.

Jeffrey

Nov 12, 2009
JeffreySF

Are you bringing anyone with you to Indy?
Did your parents take you to Louisville and Houston?

Jeffrey

Nov 12, 2009
JeffreySF

Hi Brittany,

Is Vicky on AW too? Did you meet through a support group?
Leo will be coming with me to the Conference. I think he is excited as I am.

Jeffrey

Nov 12, 2009
JeffreySF

Hi Brittany,
Leo loved the conf and all the baldies. He's totally addicted. haha

Have a great weekend.

Jeffrey

Nov 13, 2009
Andre

Hi Brittany, sorry I didn't say anything for so long. - Andre

Nov 19, 2009
JeffreySF

Happy thanksgiving brittany!!!

jeffrey

Nov 26, 2009
JeffreySF

Hey Brittany,

I worked all day but came home and had a great meal waiting for me. Yay!

Hope you are having a great weekend.

Jeffrey

Nov 28, 2009
stephani

hey, you seem really nice, im stephani

Dec 29, 2009
stephani

btw i love your wigs

Dec 29, 2009
stephani

i'm pretty good. ive had this page for a while, just havent gone on it in a long time so im tryin to get connected lol. kinda feelin like nobody gets this whole no hair thing around me

Dec 29, 2009
stephani

very cool, yes i have been to a naaf conference before i actually go about every 4 years because we dont have much extra money and so we can only afford to go every so often, well this year would be my 4th year i wanna go very bad but i cant afford it. so oh well. ive been to about 2 conferences lol. um. yeah i know the teasing thing oh so well, ive also beeen beat up and bullied because of it when i was younger. sucks about the interent im always online im some what of an internet addict. mostly facebook lol

Dec 30, 2009
Harley Desiree Wheeler

omg i love ur wigg its cute as hell

Jan 30, 2010
Erin McLemore

beautiful pictures! my favourite is the two lamps and blue curtains. i love canons but nikons are my favourite.

Jan 30, 2010
Lauren Simpson

I love your wigs!!!! I remember seeing you on the tyra show =). thanks for the add.

Jan 30, 2010
JeffreySF

Thanks Brittany!
You're a great friend too. Cant wait to meet you in person!

Jeffrey

Jan 30, 2010
JeffreySF

Hi Brittany,

Leo and I have searched all the stuff for NAAF. Just need to book it as well.
I'm pretty excited about going again. It's gonna be great!

Jeffrey

Jan 30, 2010
Erin McLemore

i hope i can as well! i've been to four and if i get to go this year, it'll be the first one where as an "adult" and not in the kids conference. i'm looking forward to it but it'll be weird not being part of the teens group!

Jan 31, 2010
JeffreySF

Hi Brittany,

Yay! I'm glad your sister is coming to the Conf too. Great price on the airfare. I'll book soon too!
Only 142 days and counting!

Hugz,

Jeffrey

Jan 31, 2010
JeffreySF

Hi Brittany,

Great flight and prices! What airline are you flying?

Jeffrey

Feb 3, 2010
JeffreySF

Hi Brittany,

Thats so cool you have jumped on this.
Did you make your hotel RSVP too?

Jeff

Feb 5, 2010
Pamela Rosse

Hello Brittany, I love your profile information you totally rock girl. How exciting it must have been to meet Tyra Banks, what a story. Most of all I love your attitude.
I have AAU & am hoping to attend the conference this year.
Take care

Feb 9, 2010
Denise

Great pics, thanks for shairing. Have a great day.

Feb 9, 2010
Denise

Hey again,

Gosh it is so cold here today, it is -6, still lots of snow, but my boys love it, they like to snowmachine alot & ice fishing. Have a great day.

Feb 11, 2010
Pamela Rosse

Hi Brittany, you are most welcome & thank you for the friends invite.
I too am hoping I will be able to attend; but, if I'm not able 2011 will be for sure.
I have so many wonderful people I want to meet.
Take care of you.
XO
Pam

Feb 11, 2010
JeffreySF

Hi Brittany,

I'm all booked for NAAF.
We fly in Thurs and fly out Mon. I like to stay the extra day to relax.

Hugz,

Jeffrey

Feb 11, 2010
JeffreySF

Hi Brittany,

No worries about you tardy reply! Haha
Don't worry too much about cute luggage for the trip. Maybe a cute outfit instead for the dance.
All is good here.

Hugz,

Jeffrey

Mar 11, 2010
JeffreySF

Hi Brittany,

I'm glad to hear you're geared up for NAAF. Us too!
Is you sister still coming with you?
I havent picked out an outfit for the Dance yet either. Oh no what to wear this year???

Jeffrey

Apr 22, 2010
JeffreySF

Hi Brittany,

I'm sure you will pick out a nice dress for the dance and all the other festivities at NAAF.
I'm glad Nicole will be coming with you too.

I'll find something to wear... I want it to be Kick Ass!

Jeffrey

Apr 22, 2010
JeffreySF

Cya soon!

Jeffrey

Apr 24, 2010
Pamela Rosse

Hi Brittany
So good to hear from you.
Sadly, very sadly I am not going to be able to make it this year to the NAAF. I was truly looking forward to it. My husband made me feel really good, I found out from our mutual friend(s) Jeffery & Leo that next years 2011 is going to be held in Washington DC, hubby said let's plan our vacation around the NAAF, so I am really looking forward.
I hope you can make that one.
I so want you to have a blast & tell me all about it.

I feeling pretty good, like you I too am looking for a special dress, mine is for my nieces wedding on Aug 6th, I'm going ah natural with her blessing.

Take care, talk to you soon my Alopecian Sister.

XO
Pam

Apr 27, 2010
Roger

Hi =)

Getting closer to Indy =)

May 4, 2010
Roger

And for me...18 days until Chicago =) =) here we go! =)

May 31, 2010
Lacey

heeyyy deaaar :)
I just watched your show on tyra your so cuuute
how have you beeen?
xx

Jun 14, 2010
Lizzie

Hi Brittany :) thanks for the friend request :) How are you doing? x

Jun 17, 2010
Cheryl, Co-founder

Brittany, See you next week!

Jun 18, 2010
Alex

hey! thanks for the add...sorry if it took a while to respond, but I don't check this much =/ how are you?!?

Jun 24, 2010
Aspen

Hi I am Aspen nice to meet you
Comment me back soon
Aspen

Jun 28, 2010
Cheryl, Co-founder

Hey Brittany, It was REALLY nice seeing you again. Hope you got home safe and enjoyed your trip.

Jun 29, 2010
Cheryl, Co-founder

Hey 1413 or is it 1416? ;)

Jul 1, 2010
hannah sophia holland

Hi Hun, Thanks for the add! :D
How's it goin?
xxx

Aug 15, 2010
Andre

What's up? I've been under a rock for the past few months (I'm just kidding).

Andre

Aug 18, 2010
Rebecca Goldberg

Hey! whats up?

Feb 2, 2011
Maya :)

Hey how are you?
I have alopecia as well,but my hair is very fine, i have like a reducing hairline...
but i got eyebrows, eyelashes but no hair on arms nor legs....

I do get what you mean i understand... mine sometimes falls off when im stressed like in a couple of days.. im doing a business course and im doing so good but the accounting... omg i have like 5 assestnments due and wow... :(

anyways, i hope we talk soon... Ur very pretty :)

Mar 2, 2011
Maya :)

Red Ribbon

Mar 2, 2011
Roger

=) =) =)

Jul 27, 2011
Maya :)

hey how are you?
sorry i havent been on for a while...things havent been gd..but now cause im on this site...awee it does help!
for me now from stress, my eye brows and eye lashes are falling...my hair is the same but it comes back and forth.... really awee...sometimes im in such a shitty mood...theres no support here so the sadness kinda eats inside....

Hows life? your so cute!! :) I love the pic! You soooo lucky you have support..
i know i might sound silly but sometimes i just become crap...

Sep 13, 2011
Just Ask

hi brittany, i liked your story. good luck in the future.

Nov 2, 2011
Andre

What's up? I've been under a rock (actually I was been working like a dog for several months). - Dre (Andre)

Jan 6, 2012

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