Comment by Amy-Rose on June 23, 2013 at 9:45pm

I absolutely agree. I have seen 2 dermatologists and countless GPs when I was diagnosed with AA. One of my GPs didn't even really know what it was and had to Google it! The worst was the last dermatologist I saw (apparently a specialist in hair loss), he was so rude, unsympathetic, and brought me to tears. Basically I knew more about alopecia than he did. He said that nothing will help my hair, even though I would like to 'think' that something will, and that 'at least I'm not dying.' 15 minutes I saw him for, and he charged me $300NZD for the pleasure. We need dermatologists who specialise in Alopecia, not just general hair loss,

Comment by tree on June 24, 2013 at 9:50am

my dermatologist was actually amazing. She wasn't an "alopecia specialist" but she did start the dpcp trials in canada! She is quiet amazing. She knows a lot about alopecia and was so kind about it. Such a kind woman. If anyone lives in the Toronto area let me know and Ill give you her details!

Comment by Tracy on June 24, 2013 at 2:11pm

I have always wondered why immunologists are not more involved with Alopecia. After all isn't alopecia an autoIMMUNE desease. Something is apartently going on with our immune system. I have had AA for 17 years. Mine has always been hidden for the most part. I have gone through lots of treatments and it always returns. After 17 years I still try to wrap my brain around this and wonder if we will ever find the root of the problem.

Comment by Lyndsey Pitchford on June 26, 2013 at 4:08am

I feel I have been lucky with the dermatologist in my area. As I'm in the UK I am fortunate to receive free health care though there is a wait and so the first time I saw her my hair was already growing back (it grew back very quickly the first time). She knew by what I told her had happened and the patterns on my head where you could see the regrowth that it was alopecia straight away and was very sympathetic and kept me on the referral list so I wouldn't have to wait if it happened again, which it did. I have never wanted treatment for personal reasons of getting my hopes up when there is of yet no 'cure' and she has been very understanding of that and has not made me wait for an appointment to see her to get my wig prescriptions through, she would just speak to me on the phone to check everything was ok emotionally and that I still didn't want treatment and then she'd fill in and send of my prescription straight away.
I have had a bad experience though, when I saw the dermatologist in my university area. When I took off my wig he said 'wow that's bad', not great for a young girl with hairloss feeling self-conscious and then insisted I had to at leat try treatment if I wanted to keep receiving wigs on the NHS. Needless to say the cream he gave me didn't work and I've moved back to my old dermatologist.

Comment by Libby on June 28, 2013 at 1:39pm

Well, I have to say that I have a wonderful dermatologist. I have other auto-immune issues other than alopecia going on and she is the only one who is taking a proactive charge about them. My regular physician is like "meh, whatever." My dermatologist recognizes how everything is connected and is being aggressive in her approach. I wish everyone had a derm like I did!

Comment by Michelle on June 28, 2013 at 5:54pm

Tracy, I completely agree with you -- why do derms and docs treat only the symptoms of AA and not the CAUSE? Just because we're "not in pain" and are not "going to die" doesn't mean that we should have to accept it and not find a cure. SaraL - you will be a wonderful derm, and perhaps you will inspire and motivate others in the field to make finding a cure a priority. Hang in there everyone!

Comment by zoe on July 1, 2013 at 1:22am

My dermatologist knew about this and all but she said it could be from my birth control and while giving me shots in my head, decided to tell me that my boyfriend doesn't love me and I'm too young blah blah blah. I balled my eyes out. I hate her now.

Comment by Leelee on July 4, 2013 at 10:00pm

:D I think your attitude is fantastic...your clients will be so relieved to find an empathetic and understanding Dr...it's great to hear you are inspired in the face of incompetence and want to make a difference for people ...yay for you :D

I have limited experience with dermatologists but the one dude I saw was extremely expensive and extremely arrogant. He was also very cold and unsympathetic in his manner and casually stated that unless I agreed to take the cortisone tablets that "all my hair would definitely fall out". Well he was wrong! I didn't go back! He also completely dismissed any connection with my A.A and stress...which I believe, in my case, is absolutely central.

thank you for sharing - best wishes

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