Hair loss....my daughter, not me.

[simplylucy]

My daughter, she'll be 9 on Sunday, is loosing her hair.

I first noticed it yesterday. She has a large bald area, about the size of 2 10p's near the front of her hair. She also has another area, 5p sized further back.

Today she has another area near the front, 1p sized and all the hair at the front of her head has thinned out. There was loads in the brush this morning and I've just washed it, loads is falling out in my hands, and I was being delicate.

As you can imagine, I'm hysterical but trying not to panic my daughter.

One of my good friends is our hair dresser. She called in last night to take a look. The areas are completely bald, no broken hairs so she believes it's stress.

Today I sopke to her teacher, who reports nothing out of the ordinary at school. She has contacted the school nurse who will do a visit to have a chat.

My daughter tells me everything is fine and she isn't worried about anything. Obviously she may be choosing not to open up to me.

We're off to the doctors tomorrow.

I'm so worried about it, at the same time I'm doing my very best not panic her as it will only make it worse.

She is worried everyone will notice, which I guess isn't helping. She has very long hair. She has decided to have it cut into a bob tomorrow so she can wear it down at school and cover the large patch.

It'll break my heart to see it cut off, but it's her choice. Personally with today's discovery of the further patch and the thinning she might be better off leaving it for a while to see what happens.

It's not looking good.

Sorry for sharing this on here, but as you can imagine I'm very worried.

 

[dottychic]

Aw thats such a shame, it is quite common though I think. My neice had it when she was little I remember she has 2 bald patches probably about the size of 2p's. Hers was put down to stress although she wasnt being bullied or anything else. We never found a reason for her to be stressed but it did grow back fairly quickly form what I remember. Try not to worry hun, hope you both feel ok soon (HUGS) XX

 

[Lady_Nichole]

Best of luck with the doctor visit.

 

[Big an Bouncy]

Try not to worry,it does sound like stress.I am sure the doc will put you at ease about it.You do the right thing by not letting her see you worry about it.Maz x

 

[thinnerangela]

It happened to me as a little girl - mine was stress related - in actual fact due to the teasing I got cos my hands were covered in warts.

It still comes out if I get stressed now - was fun when it came out about 6 weeks post WLS!!.

Is there peer mentoring at you daughter's school? If not would she open up to someone at school - a classroom assistant? perhaps - cos it's hard to go to a teacher.

Give her lots of huggles and tell her it's not the end of the world ( though it does seem like it).

PS when mine came back after the WLS its got a definite kink having been drip straight all my life!!

Love and huggles to you both

xxx

 

[sugga]

So sorry to here about your daughters hair. It must be a frightning time for you both. We are thinking of you and let us know how you get on at the doctors.xxx

 

[midnight-star]

My daughter lost all her hair when she was 16, it was a terrible time, so my heart goes out to you.

The specialist my daughter saw said it was a myth that it was stress related but I never believed him, but my daughter at the time also denied anything worrying her

I really feel for you it broke my heart to see my daughters hair fall out

Sue

 

[lisa x]

Hi Lucy..I have Sent you an email hun...lisa x

 

[simplylucy]

Thank you all for the kind responses.

This morning things aren't looking good. The largest area has nearly doubled in size and is creeping across her hairline on her forehead.

The rest of her hair is thinning rapidly.

She gathered the hair that was left on her pillow and placed it in her jewllery box to save incase she runs out. :cry:

I feel really crap, it's breaking my heart but I know there is nothing I can do.

Doctors at 10.15am.

It's going to be hard to stay strong and not cry infront of my daughter or let her see how panicked I am.

She's a beautiful girl and I know hair won't change that, she'll always be beautiful with or without it.

My biggest fear is other children. They can be so cruel, even without realising sometimes.

 

[Rebirth]

Hi Lucy, Could it be related to her hormones and the onset of puberty? I know that a lot of women lose hair when pregnant or on some of the birth control methods. If she's not under any apparent stress and has no skin conditions that could affect her hair that could be the answer. I hope the GP will be able to sort her out.

Sending you lots of hugs.

Rebirthxx

 

[dottychic]

Aww I really feel for you hun, I know exactly what you mean about other kids. I think most of us have been at the mercy of cruel kids in our lives and I hope your daughter doesnt have to put up with any cruel jibes. Good Luck at the doctors and the only thing I think you can do is just keep reassuring your daughter how beautiful she is ((HUGS)) XX

 

[simplylucy]

The GP was lovely.

She called a second GP in as she hadn't delt with it before.

They have both confirmed my daughter has Alopecia Areata.

She is going to have some blood tests next week to check for any possible causes, there isn't likely to be, so they say. Just a precaution.

We just have to keep everything crossed now that she doesn't loose it all.

Apparently it's not stress related, thats just a myth. It's just a random thing and nothing can be done.

It sure makes me embarrassed that I was moaning about a bit of hair loss the other day. Mine is nothing in comparison to my daughters.

 

[dottychic]

Aww hun dont feel bad, as women our hair is a big thing so I think most of us would moan about loosing it. You werent to know what would happen with your daughter. I read up on it a bit yesterday and all the research does now say that stress isnt a factor, so at least you dont have to worry that shes upset about something. I hope it goes as fast as it came and her hair grows back a.s.a.p. She is lucky to have a lovely supportive Mum like you there for her (HUG) XX

 

[lisa x]

PM me if you have any questions hun.. x x
I assume the blood tests are to test for other anti immune system disorders(just to rule them out..please don't panic. )
Have they referred you onto a trichologist???
Lisa x

 

[ruthw]

oh love hope she is feeling ok in herself ,try to make her life full of nice days i know you said its not stress related ,but i bet she is stressed now worrying about it ,i was a hairdresser in a previous life and thicking shampoos help also try not to fiddle to much with it ,and ask your g.p about vitamins for her i know apleaco (my spelling is awful soz)is very scary for anyone ,vitamins might help ,but if they dont no harm done ..big hugs and kisses to her ,my little girl had a hard time at school and tried to take her mind of it with by doing her nails and massage ...lots of luck x ruth x

 

[Grace]

Oh bless her. I had alopecia after the birth of my second son. It didn't last very long and soon grew back. I'll be praying for her pet.
And for you too. I think as parents we get more stressed and upset than our kids do over what the face.
Big hugs
Grace xxxx

 

[Linski]

The GP was lovely.

She called a second GP in as she hadn't delt with it before.

They have both confirmed my daughter has Alopecia Areata.

She is going to have some blood tests next week to check for any possible causes, there isn't likely to be, so they say. Just a precaution.

We just have to keep everything crossed now that she doesn't loose it all.

Apparently it's not stress related, thats just a myth. It's just a random thing and nothing can be done.

It sure makes me embarrassed that I was moaning about a bit of hair loss the other day. Mine is nothing in comparison to my daughters.

Hi Lucy,
I am sorry to hear about you daughters hair and I can imagine how upset you are. We would rather have it ourselves wouldn't we? Try not and worry too much, I know its easy for others to say. I hope the tests all come back as ok and her hair soons returns to normal. My hair fell out just the same and it was due to an underactive thyroid for which I take a tablet for now and my hair is thick and glossy. It was an awful time though so I really feel for you both. Try not to be looking too much and if possible appear lighthearted in front of her. Not easy I know but if she see's you upset it will worry her even more.

I really hope this all sorts itself out for you sweetheart,

Linski xxx