Newly diagnosed and looking for experience

I am mom of 14 month old Anthony who, over the last 3 weeks, has lost all of his hair. We confirmed today what we suspected was alopecia areata, in his case totalis, and are doing blood work to confirm there are not any further issues. The doctor wants to treat him with steroids and this was initially alarming to me...giving a baby steroids (not that his petite 20 lb frame couldn't use some bulking). I asked about side effects and they didn't really have an answer, nor have I been able to find any information on oral steroids in infants on the web. This is how I came across AW. Is there anyone who has any information on steroids and infants they can share? I also have a call into our regular pediatrician to get their opinion. I also looked into a homeopathic benefit in our insurance and of course it's not covered.
Thanks everyone for being here! It's great to see a network like this ;)
Heather

Views: 43

Comment

You need to be a member of Alopecia World to add comments!

Join Alopecia World

Comment by Jacqueline on April 3, 2011 at 6:07pm
Hi Jeffrey - just to clarify, Anthony is actually Heather (the original blogger's) baby, my nephew is Tyler. The plan was to try the herb for 12 months to see if it would make a significant difference (as it has for many other people). We will be at the one year mark in a couple more months and if there isn't anything more than the tiny regrowth, he will stop taking it. It was actually Tyler's decision to take and continue with the herb (we left the choice up to him). He has been very sensitive to comments from other children and although he was told from the beginning that the herb may not work, he wanted to try.

Herbs do take a while to work and the doctor did modify the ingredients at the 6 month mark, which is when we noticed the first regrowth. Herbs work for some and not for others ... as we have seen some regrowth with Tyler, I don't feel that the statement "it's obviously not working" is fair. We are not force feeding this nasty herb to child that we all adore - he is willingly taking it - and, at this point in time, he needs to hold on to hope.
Comment by JeffreySF on April 3, 2011 at 12:41pm
Jacqueline,
Sorry, have a question. Why exactly is Little Anthony still taking this nasty tasting herb? It's obviously not working.
Comment by JeffreySF on April 1, 2011 at 8:54pm
Hi Heather,
Talk with your Pediatrician about this.
I would not reccomend that anyone take steroids as a treatment for alopecia especially a baby.
For starters the drug comprimises the immune system and leaves the host vunerable to infection.
Secondly, with such major hairloss the results if any would only be temporrary.
Steroids have many side effects. None of them good.
My advice would be to wait for alternative treatments which may be in our future.
Remember this disease can shut itself off at anytime.
Best Wishes and Good Luck!
Jeffrey
Comment by Tallgirl on April 1, 2011 at 8:50pm
Alopecia can fade away (i.e., hair grows in) in the same three months that they say it takes the shots to work. So...why would you want to put a baby through that pain, if alopecia isn't physically harmful? And whose emotional comfort are you seeking? A child that young isn't exactly concerned about the prom. I hated those shots even as a teen, and have been much happier with totalis and NO stress about shots (plus, I save that money, as insurance doesn't cover alopecia treatments in most cases!).

Disclaimer

Any mention of products and services on Alopecia World is for informational purposes only; it does not imply a recommendation or endorsement by Alopecia World. Nor should any statement or representation on this site be construed as professional, medical or expert advice, or as pre-screened or endorsed by Alopecia World. Alopecia World is not responsible or liable for any of the views, opinions or conduct, online or offline, of any user or member of Alopecia World.

© 2025   Created by Alopecia World.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service