My alopecia first appeared in 2017. First, I noticed an increase in hair in my hairbrush. Then, more hair fell out every time I washed my hair.
I went to the doctor. The hair loss was attributed to the stress I was under at the time due to exams during my studies.
I was prescribed high doses of biotin, iron and zinc. I took them diligently. However, the hoped-for improvement did not occur. My hair continued to fall out. Up until then, I had more than enough hair on my head.
Then in the summer of 2017, around July/August, I noticed by chance that I no longer had any hair on my arms. Shortly after, I also no longer had to shave my legs.
So I went back to the doctor because I was really starting to get worried. I was so scared of losing all my beloved hair.
The doctor said my hair roots were intact and that I should be happy to have such great long hair. He couldn't explain where this severe hair loss was coming from. All my blood values were good.
The doctor prescribed me a cortisone lotion to apply to my scalp. When there was no improvement, the doctor prescribed cortisone tablets. But my hair continued to fall out heavily...
I slowly started to freak out and was desperate.
I cried every day. I was very worried that I was seriously ill.
The doctors tested everything possible to find the cause. At times they wondered whether I had been poisoned.
Up until then, I was able to conceal the bald patches with the rest of my hair. However, I never had those typical circular patches. They fell out more evenly across my head. They only fell out more in the forehead area.
In October 2017, we flew off on our honeymoon. It was finally supposed to bring the relaxation I had hoped for after my studies. I was confident that the hair loss would stop.
But a nightmare began. The hair loss really started on the honeymoon. I lost whole strands of hair when I washed my hair. I broke down crying in the shower.
Now I couldn't hide my hair loss any more. I wore a hat all day. My work colleagues were totally shocked when they saw me after our vacation. I had lost so much hair.
So I went to the university hospital. There I was diagnosed with alopecia areata for the first time. What, me? Never! Those were my first thoughts. How should I accept that it might never come back?
A world collapsed for me.
I researched for hours on the Internet. I didn't want to accept the idea.
In November 2017, about 6 months after the first hair loss, I shaved off my last hair. That way I could keep the braid as a souvenir. It was just so beautiful and long.
I bought my first wig. It was so strange. I had always associated them with older ladies. Luckily, I quickly got used to it.
I began to cling to every straw, desperately searching for help.
In December 2017, I noticed that my eyebrows and eyelashes were falling out. That was terrible for me. But I quickly got used to sticking on eyelashes and painting my eyebrows every day.
I started with a DCP treatment at the university hospital. During this treatment, a caustic solution was applied to my scalp. This triggered a contact allergy. It itched and burned terribly. Blisters formed. At times I couldn't wear a wig because of the pain. I endured this procedure once a week for six months. Unfortunately, it didn't work. My hair didn't grow back.
The only alternative treatment was high doses of cortisone. Luckily, I turned that down, as it probably wouldn't have done me any good except put me 20 kilos heavier.
So I started to accept it. I spent hours reading about the disease. I watched YouTube videos of other sufferers.
Back then, I couldn't imagine how these strong women could deal with it so openly.
And now, I am one of them!
Dearest greetings
Jennifer
