Alopecia Areata

[Capprice]

Now I know for sure it's not Pred that has caused this but 4 days after taking first dose on 15 June 2020 .. I wash my hair and a clump the size of an inch comes away in my brush. I've suffered alopecia areata 3 times previously since becoming an adult. Last time approximately 10 years ago. I'm now thinking that I may have been susceptible to autoimmune all along and that the stress of LOCKDOWN may have sparked it , quite possibly this time into overdrive. Any thoughts anyone? Any one else suffered alopecia during their life before PMR?

I also have slight hypothyroidism

[SnazzyD]

Hello there. Hair loss is very common with stress, illness,hormone problems and of course autoimmune causes. I’ve seen many people have a systemic illness not related to to autoimmune causes who had a major shedding of hair and for that matter skin as well. It happened to me too with GCA 5 months in and later after a few months of adrenal insufficiency when I was down below 10mg. Others on this forum have had the same and for most it grows back but it depends on the individual. Also, autoimmune conditions can also come together so whether yours is directly autoimmune induced or a reaction to systemic illness (who knows, might be the same process) who knows? I hope your current loss is a blip but time will tell.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Stress is never a good mix with PMR - but I see they claim there is no evidence stress causes alopaecia areata. Don't see how they can be so sure, stress doesn't do the immune system any good!

[SheffieldJane]

So sorry. It’s encouraging that it recovered before. Possibly the same stressors that contributed to your PMR and as you say, lockdown have contributed to this as well. It tends to be when the stress eases off. It happened to my daughter following childbirth and the anxiety of having a newborn in ICU. She was quite stoic about it ( sterner stuff than her mum). It has grown back with with rather attractive ( I thought, now dyed) white streak at the former bald patch. It gradually grew in, like baby hair at first. Taking care of your constitution with a wholesome, diet, plenty of rest and sleep, the appropriate supplements and the avoidance of stress will help. I hope it is self limiting and yes this is quite different from the thinning we talk about. Take care!

[Maisie1958]

Hello Capprice . I had several episodes of alopecia areata before diagnosis, used to think they were stress related but honestly not sure. Oddly I had no episodes around menopause and beyond for years until about 6 weeks after starting Pred for PMR. Only the usual small hairless patch which grew back immediately. Haven’t had any more since but still keep my hair longish just in case. I don’t seem to have any more autoimmune things but who knows what else can turn up. All good wishes.

[PMRnewbie2017]

If you look at the Alopecia areata page of the Trichological Society, there is lots of information. Though, as already mentioned no-one really know what causes this condition.

hairscientists.org/hair-and...