Hi Folks,

I'm just popping by to pass on my experience of Alopecia Areata, I won't be hanging around as I'm not too social but I promised myself that if I recovered then I would post up how/what I did to help myself in case it helps anyone    - I hope it helps some of you. I know this will not be relevant to all of you.

I lost 2/3 of ALL of my body hair last year in June. It happened at an incredible rate and scared the living crap out of me. Looking in the mirror I felt like a new face and body had been forced upon me. My 'look' is very hairy in general, I had thick beard, and strong black hair. It fell out so randomly and without pattern or warning. Just clump after clump of hair came out. I tried to ignore it and stay calm but it was falling in my tea, in my mouth when I slept, it was freaking everywhere! I started to notice my finger nails pitting and going a funny colour as well but this was nothing compared to the hair loss. I also have big ears and a slightly angry face so did not want a skin head as I felt too thuggish!

I went to the doctors expecting some serious attention and they more or less shrugged their shoulders. They gave me some steroid cream (it felt like to humour me) and every day I rubbed it into my head in hope it would change something. Nothing happened, in fact it got worse.

At this point I turned to the internet, which as you all know can be a dumbed move! - All I found were horror stories and a massive mixture of advice. I decided to experiment myself and tried just about every alternative therapy/vitamin supplement on the market. I found a few things and thought I would share them with you.

Before I start I have now re-grown almost ALL of my hair. I have 2 small patches on the side which actually look kind of cool as I have a good hair dresser who managed to incorporate them into a style!! (I am also 35)

The key for me was Stress and time out. I am a very positive individual, high self esteem and happy go lucky but I do like to work hard. I never felt stressed EVER. If someone had asked me I would have laughed at them as I did not realise my symptoms were stress because inside I was happy. Basically I tried going for massages, floatation therapy, shiatsu, acupuncture, the lot! Gradually my psychology started to adjust as a result of relaxing and I started to realise maybe I wasn't as in control as I like to think. I also found that the world started to slow down and I became more connected to people and life in general. I now use a vitamin supplement (Berocca to be precise) and a caffeine shampoo which feels nice and tingly but not sure if its just a gimmick and if the vitamin actually does anything but I like the taste so there you go! 

My message is - some of you are probably going through the same thing. I don't think there is one cure for alopecia but de-stressing and trying loads of new ways to relax, mixed with a balanced diet and a healthy positive outlook helped me and now i am once again a big hairy bear. I also tried to not obsess over it which i know is really hard. Try to avoid grooming over the same crap in hope you will find an answer as this will just stress you out more. You can always come back to obsession, it won't go anywhere!!!!

Sorry for the lack of structure but I wanted to give some of you some comfort that sometimes you can lose all your hair in a month and 6-8 months later its all back again! There is hope.

As a final note, if it doesn't grow back then don't worry because you will always be beautiful. I actually find girls with no hair really sexy (always had a thing for skin from the band skunk annansie!) - and boys.....at least nobody will screw with you....nobody messes with a skin head!!!

Peace and love people x