Hi everyone,

I've just joined and really want to share the things I've found most effective for treating alopecia areata.

1) Go straight to a proper Trichologist. Don't bother with dermatologists as, like G.P's, they tend to just prescribe topical steroids, (which I was uncomfortable using and found to be rubbish)

2) Get your iron level checked. The optimum ferritin level is between 70 and 100, and levels lower than that are associated with fatigue, breathlessness and hair loss. Seriously, get your exact reading, don't let your G.P fob you off by telling you it's 'in the normal range but a bit low'. The 'normal' range is astonishingly wide!

3) Sunlight is excellent for arresting the spread of a bald patch and for making the hair regrowth faster. Take any opportunity to get the sun on the patches! Sitting under a U.V lamp is one of the treatments my Trichologist offers, and using the sun is a way of getting the same treatment for free. (Don't do this if you're using steroids though as they make your skin super sensitive to it)

4) Head massages and regular shampooing. Like sunlight, these two things stimulate the scalp and, in the words of my Trichologist 'remind your white blood cells what they should be doing' (i.e not attacking your hair!) I know that washing and brushing your hair makes it seem like more is coming out but it really isn't. Don't be scared to wash your hair, as letting your scalp get greasy is not good.

5) Suppliments. It's a good plan to take amino acids that stimulate hair growth, especially L-lysine, L-Cystine and L-Tyrosine. I've been taking them for ages and think my skin is looking better from it :)

6) It's a good idea to get a Zinc test too to see if you're deficient.

The Trichologist I use is the Cardiff Clinic of Trichology, they're all really nice and all treatments are non steroidal. I get:

U.V light therapy
High frequency scalp stimulation
Topical scalp medication
Head massages (the nicest bit by far!)

The supplements I take are:

Lambert's 'Florisine' (Iron and L-Lysine)
Solgar L-tyrosine
Lambert's L-Cystine

BUT THE BEST THING EVER IS SUNLIGHT!!!!

You never know for sure why this horrible thing happens, but it strongly correlates with stress and low iron levels (both of which I had).

Good Luck xxx