Heather. Yes, my hair started growing after taking Shou Wu. I have not experienced any side effects from it. I am taking three tablets three times per day.

Hi Heather. I just visited my new dermatologist who happens to be a "hair loss specialist" here in the northwest. She told me that I'm the first patient she has had that has the burning symptoms (sounds like you and I are anomolies in the alopecia world). Rats! I was hoping she would know how to make it stop. For now, I will continue my own experiments and will continue to avoid corn, wheat, soy, and peanuts. By the way, have you heard of Shou Wu? It's a chinese remedy (from the Fo-Ti root, I believe). It is supposed to help kidney and liver function but, is also popular (in China) for promoting hair growth. I learned about it from an acupucturist/herbalist. I found it at the health food store and have been taking it daily for a few months now. Despite my bald burning patches (which are pretty small), I have alot of new hair growing in areas where my hair is thin. I just wish I could stop the hair that is falling out!

Hi Again. The only skin that gets red is on my scalp. The "hot spots" turn red and that's where the hair falls out the most. So, I have questions for you...how long have you been dealing with hair loss and how long have you had the burning symptoms? I've been told and have also read that a neuropeptide ("substance P") is present in hair follicles where burning occurs. The goal is to block substance P. For some people anti-depressants help. My neurologist neighbor told me that capsaicin (found in peppers) is also used to block it. Have you heard anything like this?

Hi Heather! I'm so sorry that I did not respond any sooner. I didn't read your comment until today. Sorry about that. I've had the burning for about a year now. When it is really bad, I feel it in my back, neck, scalp (of course), and in rare cases when things are super bad, my hands! In addition to the itching and burning scalp, I've had an icy-hot sensation in my forehead, nose, and right cheek. However, the icy-hot feeling is not near as constant as the burning. Like you, I have tried all kinds of dietary restrictions and topical applications. Right now, the key things I am avoiding are: wheat, corn, peanuts, soy, and refined sugar. Corn and soy seem to be the most difficult to avoid as they are contained in so many things in various forms. I've resigned myself to reading all food product labels and try to eat almost everything made from scratch. It's more work but, better than the burning hell. Unfortunately, our "unique" symptoms don't fit within the box of typical symptoms that most dermatologists are familiar with. I've heard some dermatologists say that the burning has nothing to do with alopecia. My current dermatologist (number 3 for me) says that most alopecia patients have no other sypmtoms besides hair loss and that a small percentage of patients have burning scalp symptoms. However, she believes that the burning associated with alopecia is strictly on the scalp. She thinks the burning in my neck, etc., and the icy-hot feeling in my face are not at all related to alopecia! Argh! I'm consulting with my neighbor who happens to be a neurologist. He's doing some research for me and will let me know if he thinks that the field of neurology might be able to help me.

I think all the hair loss/eyebrow loss is a hormonal imbalance, thyroid testosterone estrongen etc

hI heather, I do have fpb but also a thyroid imbalance too which is what I think is causing the eyebrow shedding, how did you get diagnoseed as diffuse alopecia areata?

so you had have alopecia areata diffuse for 9 year and you still have hair??how is your pain.....my pain it not all the day, it isjust a few minutes per day and not the entire head, the pain is in a spot and after iit is gone ...i got another pain in other spot area...some days i dont have pain another i got to much pain ...the pain is like a bruise.
so you pain is similar??????
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hi!! could u explain a bit more your case...i am very intersting because i think i got diffuse alopecia areata....i got a lot of pain as well........but the doctor say that if i dont have any spot it is not areata......how your doctot got to this diagnosis? do you have still hair??

I will try to resend my message as well...lol. let me know if you already read the one I am resending!

Hey Heather! You should accept my friend request!!! I replied to one of my discussion threads and mentioned you had diffuse alopecia. How did they diagnos this and is it permanent? Will your hair grow back? Is it one of those that is triggered by stress? Sorry for the questions.. The scalp burning, sensitivity, itching, is so bad and I feel like I am about to lose it. Thanks!

heyy .. I teach so I'm able to be out by 4 but things are a little nuts with classes I'm taking right now but let me know what you think .. maybe we need to get a get together going in queens

Hey Heather! Yeah it is ashame. I was thinking it would be nice to get a group to get together. I do live in Sunnyside which is right next door to Astoria. I think coffee would be great sometime. What is your work schedule like?

Hey Heather - It was great to meet you at the meeting on Monday

Thanks Heather for your feedback and yes, I have considered that. Hay I have a lemon and now must make lemonade.

JoJo

Hello again my new Alopecia BFF......I'm sure the food stores by you suck.....I imagine them having aisles and aisles of feta cheese, olives and gyros........

I live on Long Island and work in the city. You are right I am some kind of "official" guy. I'm a US Marshal.....What kind of work do you do?

Don't stress about the replies, I'm able to write because I've been off w/the birth of my son Aiden. Keep me posted in regards to the meetings in New York. My wife and I go to Astoria a lot to eat and hang out...We have a few Greek friends......Bloom doesn't sound Greek, how the hell did you end up there? lol

I'd be interested in going to a support group. I also have some interest in talking to kids with Alopecia. Being I grew up with it and now have a job that may interest kids I think it would be cool. How long married? We are married 3 years and just had our 1st kid (born with more hair then me but that's not saying much).

I'm good and learning my way around this site as well. I'm not too far from you on Long Island. How involved are you with Alopecia World and other Alopecia groups?

Hi,

Fellow New Yorker w/alopecia.........