A couple of
months ago, I was unclogging our shower and sink drains a little too often--pulling out a lot of hair. I knew
it was a sign of something bad. I thought we had an issue with our pipes. I
was wrong.
One evening
while we were brushing our teeth my husband, who is a lot taller than I am, said,
“Uh, you’ve got a bald spot on your head.”
I spat out my
toothpaste and said, “Yeah, right.”
He said, “No
really.”
So I got out
a mirror, a couple of mirrors since the area was on the back of my head near the
crown. My husband was right. There was an oval spot on my head
that was completely denuded of hair.
Like any 21st
century woman, I turned to Google. And what I found wasn’t great. So I made an
appointment with the doctor. He took one look and confirmed my suspicions. I
had an auto-immune disease called “alopecia areata.” In alopecia areata*, the immune system attacks the hair follicles.
(Isn’t that ridiculous?) The good news is that it doesn’t affect my general health.
(Though it is associated with other auto-immune diseases and I had a flurry of
blood tests run. And when one came back "bad," I had a couple very meticulous
blood draws—basically, they kept drawing blood until the results came back
normal.)
Now I’m being
treated with lots of steroid injections into my scalp (not nearly as painful as
I’d been led to believe) and topical steroids. And though it leaves my scalp tender and I have a few sores, some hair is growing back, though the color
is weird. However, other hair is falling out. And I have hair missing on other
parts of my body. The prognosis is unclear. I could regrow some hair and lose
other hair. It could go into remission. Or, though this is very unlikely, I could
lose all the hair on my head (alopecia areata totalis) or all the hair on my
body (alopecia areata universalis).
In the
meantime, I’m doing the female version of the “comb over.” And I’m
investigating scalp makeup. (Who knew such things existed?)
*Because Alopecia
areata is an auto-immune disease, it is NOT contagious. If you’re interested in knowing more about it, here’s
the website of the National Alopecia Areata Foundation.
WOW. That's rough. I'm so glad that you don't have any other auto-immune disease along with it, though! Fingers crossed that the steroids work for you, and that your immune system figures out that your hair is not the enemy!
ReplyDeleteYikes, that sounds a bit scary. I'm glad that it doesn't otherwise harm your health. If you want to feel a little less alone, you might like the MG novel Because of Anya by Margaret Peterson Haddix, about a girl with this condition. It's one of my daughter's favorite books.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Louise! Hopefully, the hair will grow back or at least not get worse. If it does...I've told my kids I'm going to buy a Carmen Miranda turban. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the book recommendation, Laurel. I had no idea there was a book with a main character who had alopecia areata. A lot of people who develop a.a. get it at a young age.
ReplyDeleteI have more hair than I know what to do with. I'd donate some, but I have a feeling that won't work.
ReplyDeleteConnie, oh no! That's crazy. It really only causes hair loss?
ReplyDeleteThe Jewish community is known for their great wigs--very realistic. We lived in a neighborhood where at least half the hairdos were fake, and I couldn't tell on a single one! Sounds like it might be time to invest in some stylish hats, eh?
I am with you on the scalp makeup. I never heard of such a thing but I am sure it looks great.
ReplyDeleteI'm assuming this isn't an April Fool's prank...but sorry it isn't! Just because your characters deal with weird things doesn't mean you need to. Hopefully it clears up soon...or you learn to juggle the big tray of fruit on your head like Carmen did. Take care...prayers for you and hubby...well, the whole family :>) Love you, Aunt Judy
ReplyDeleteBummer. My mother had a similar problem years ago, but hers was caused by a thyroid condition. A couple decent wigs helped her through the worst of it, and eventually, she grew some hair. A good sense of humor helps, and I'm sure you've got that covered. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteCrystal, that's a great idea. I've looked at some wigs, and they aren't exactly my style. Thankfully, I'm not at that point.
ReplyDeleteLilith, I might hold off on the scalp makeup. I've developed scalp atrophy now and I don't know if that will affect it.
ReplyDeleteAunt Judy,
ReplyDeleteNope. Sadly, not an April Fool's joke.
Susan,
ReplyDeleteThyroid problems do cause a lot of hair loss. But I've been checked, and thankfully, my thyroid is working just fine.
Oh, wow! I'm sorry to hear that. But I'm glad you feel all right.
ReplyDeleteMy hubby had a little bald spot on the side of his head that hairdresser pointed out that she thought was alopecia. I never saw a man run to the doctors so fast!
Oh no! Sorry that you have (of course) a rare disorder that causes this! I hope it clears itself up somehow/ doesn't get worse.
ReplyDeleteIn other news, I now know that scalp make-up exists! Who knew! *hugs*
Jennifer, did your husband have alopecia areata?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the hug, Krispy!
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so sorry that is happening! Hair loss is such a particularly stressing problem to have. I hope the AA gets better soon!
ReplyDeleteStill praying that things get better. x
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that! I hope eventually it corrects itself. That must be so frustrating.
ReplyDelete