Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by kastababy on April 22, 2011 at 2:13pm

Hi Danielle!

When I was a child, I never lost my eyebrows and eyelashes, even though I was AT for years. I lost my eyelashes when I was 18 years old, and they grew back 2 years ago, at the expense of my eyebrows. Since my eyebrows have fallen out, they haven't grown back at all. I lose my eyelashes in patches - yes, I have areas where they just won't grow - but that is my experience. I also have patches on my arms and legs, although shaving keeps that under control - and I have zero underarm hair - that went when I was 18 too. I also have patchy unmentionable hair as well, but I keep that under control by waxing. So you're definitely not alone!

Permalink Reply by Tom Patterson on April 22, 2011 at 2:35pm

Hey, Danielle.

I had Alopecia Areata and lost about 35-40% of the hair on my head, and I also lost my eyelashes. Actually, I lost my eyelashes first and then the hair on my head.

Permalink Reply by Cristian on April 23, 2011 at 2:27am

I lost almost all my eyebrows and my left eye eyelashes. It is funny that in my case the face hair started to disappear from the left side of the face. My beard is also affected.

Permalink Reply by Carl on January 19, 2012 at 3:10am

Hey Danielle. Im a new alopecian, Mine started around 4 months ago on my chin. Since then Iv lost all my facial hair and around 50% of the hair on my head. I still have my eyebrows and lashes at the moment. And yeah. I have to shave my head almost every day to stop it looking patchy. So far the rest of body is ok. Not sure for how long though. Good luck.

Permalink Reply by Anna on March 16, 2012 at 7:29pm

Hi
I have AA for 15 years. My hair fell and grew again during this time but 2,5 years ago I lost my hair and my eyebrows & eyelashes. It was never as bed as last time. I got PUVA therapy and I got my all hair back. It is over 2 years since this treatment without any patches. It was second time when I got PUVA and I find it is the best treatment as so far... believe me I tried everting. All the best for you!

Permalink Reply by Dorothy G. on March 18, 2012 at 10:00am

Can you tell us anything more about the PUVA? I'm glad it's worked for you.

Permalink Reply by Anna on March 30, 2012 at 2:22pm

PUVA is a combination treatment which consists of Psoralens (P) and then exposing the skin to UVA (long wave ultraviolet radiation).

For oral PUVA, methoxsalen capsules are taken two hours before the appointment for treatment. For bathwater PUVA, the patient soaks in a bath containing a solution of psoralens. In most cases, treatment is undertaken two or three times each week.

The UVA lamps stay on for increasing lengths of time, starting with about few seconds xtending for up to few minuts.

If you are receiving PUVA therapy, follow the advice of the phototherapy nurse and that of your dermatologist. Some general advice:

-Keep all scheduled appointments.
-Do not apply any ointments or cosmetics (especially perfumes and coal coal tar products) except as directed by your doctor or phototherapist.
-Always take the capsules at exactly the same interval before the UVA exposure.
Ideally, take the capsules two hours before treatment.
-Alcohol consumption should be minimal.
-Avoid sun exposure on treatment and non-treatment days.
-Apply broad spectrum sunblock to face and hands before treatment.
-You must protect your skin and eyes from natural sunlight for twelve hours after taking methoxsalen tablets.
-During treatment, you must wear the special goggles provided.
-Apply sunscreen to all uncovered skin after treatment.
-Arrange to be seen regularly by your dermatologist.

PUVA is safe and work very good but must be taken under doctor control and I will advise to find doctor who has experience wiht PUVA treatment.
All the best! Let me know if you would like any more information.

Permalink Reply by Dorothy G. on March 18, 2012 at 10:01am

Hi Danielle,
I've lost about 30% scalp and about 1/3 one one eyebrow.

Permalink Reply by De-nise on March 27, 2012 at 9:52am

Hi.

"So I am just a little curious" :D I feel a 100 percent the same.
I never had hair on my arms but my eyebrown and lashes look so strange... patches in my face.
The hair on my head, never really wants to be where it is. When i was a child there were only little patches. 5 years ago it starts to be very much loss of hair and only a short time later I was bald. Then my hair grows back, now it says goodbye again.
The situation of my eyebrown and lashes never changed.
But everyone of us, try to make the best of it. :)