Is this alopecia?!

[Hambear92]

At the start of lockdown I noticed this patch, I called the doctor and had a blood test. I was told I had really low B12 and that would explain the sudden hair loss. Well over the last 12 weeks it’s got a lot bigger. I’ve had a repeat blood test and my B12 is now normal. I have another bald patch on the opposite side of my head too but it’s not getting bigger as fast as this one. I’ve been using Regaine for woman which my doctor prescribed for 6 weeks now and nothing is changing. I’ve also noticed a very small bald spot on the very top of my scalp tonight so now I’m spiralling 😭 sorry for the rant I’m just really panicking, I know that’s really vain of me but I don’t know what to do 😭

[Teaandbooks]

Hi there

Your hair loss looks similar to mine. Mid March 20 i noticed a similar small patch that has slowly but steadily extended. I have a small patch on the other side and a tiny patch at the crown. I was told my blood test was normal but I had 2 and the nurse mentioned it was at the low end of normal for B12.

I started taking an iron, & zinc supplement myself and added some food to my diet to enrich it. Berries every day

Walnuts, cashews & pumpkin seeds. Ground flax. I hadn't been eating much meat so I increased that slightly & more eggs. Also using Regaine.

5 months later I was at the point where I thought I might need to look at wigs & no change. I started blending red onion &rubbed the juice on my scalp ( something I saw online) shampoo off after at least 1/2 he soak.

Then 2 weeks ago started to see tiny baby hairs where the 1st patch had started. Its growing & im praying it doesn't fall out. ( this seems to happen)

Also have been managing stress with breathing , yoga & walking.

I don't know if any of it has helped or if it would have started growing now anyway. It has helped to feel like I'm doing something though.

Hope it might help to hear someone else's story. Best of luck x

[rebeccaxxx]

Hi, yes it does look like alopecia. Have you seen a dermatologist? What was your ferritin level? If that is contributing your ferritin needs to ideally be above 80. The problem with alopecia is by the time it has started it is very hard to stop only time can help, it makes sense to investigate it and look for causes but once that is done and sorted all you can do is wait. All of my hair fell out over three months, I know how devastating it is. I still don’t have a reason why. After a year it grew back. I resorted to some very expensive wigs in the meantime as I had no confidence otherwise. Hopefully yours will start growing back now if it was b12, in the meantime specific hair growth supplements and anything that gets blood flowing to your scalp will help it grow back quickly when it is ready to start growing back. Regaine is unlikely to work.

[Hidden]

Would appreciate knowing how you are getting along now Hambear92? As a fellow sufferer, this is how mine started many years ago. It is devastating personally. I pray you are receiving lots of support from your family, g.p. etc. Glad to be here as a support if needed. 😍😍x