Is this stress related?

My husband had patches on his face where his beard did not grow in a while ago. He had gone to the dermatologist and they gave him a cream for his face for allopecha (spelling??). Finally it went away and the hair grew back, but now he has a small patch where his hair is missing above his ear. He thinks it is stress related. He is not even close to loosing his hair...he's got a full head...but I know he's worried. Do you think it's stress related? Has anyone ever known someone who had it?

TIA

Re: Is this stress related?

In alopecia areata, immune system cells called white blood cells attack the rapidly growing cells in the hair follicles that make the hair. The affected hair follicles become small and drastically slow down hair production. Fortunately, the stem cells that continually supply the follicle with new cells do not seem to be targeted. So the follicle always has the potential to regrow hair.

Scientists do not know exactly why the hair follicles undergo these changes, but they suspect that a combination of genes may predispose some people to the disease. In those who are genetically predisposed, some type of trigger--perhaps a virus or something in the person's environment--brings on the attack against the hair follicles.

Alopecia areata often occurs in people whose family members have other autoimmune diseases, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, pernicious anemia, or Addison's disease. People who have alopecia areata do not usually have other autoimmune diseases, but they do have a higher occurrence of thyroid disease, atopic eczema, nasal allergies, and asthma.

There is every chance that your hair will regrow, but it may also fall out again. No one can predict when it might regrow or fall out. The course of the disease varies from person to person. Some people lose just a few patches of hair, then the hair regrows, and the condition never recurs. Other people continue to lose and regrow hair for many years. A few lose all the hair on their head; some lose all the hair on their head, face, and body. Even in those who lose all their hair, the possibility for full regrowth remains.

In some, the initial hair regrowth is white, with a gradual return of the original hair color. In most, the regrown hair is ultimately the same color and texture as the original hair.

What Can I Expect Next?

The course of alopecia areata is highly unpredictable, and the uncertainty of what will happen next is probably the most difficult and frustrating aspect of the disease. You may continue to lose hair, or your hair loss may stop. The hair you have lost may or may not grow back, and you may or may not continue to develop new bare patches.

Re: Is this stress related?

Thanks Red!

Re: Is this stress related?

MIL is going through this right now.

She had 3 small round spots on her head that were missing hair, so she went to the Derm and got steriod cream. The 3 spots spread to 6 LARGE spots, and now she's receiving a series of cortizone injections in the head. No sign of regrowth yet, though - this has been going on since October.

Everyone is different though- GL to your DH

Re: Is this stress related?

Posted by Stefanie

Thanks Red!

Re: Is this stress related?

Stefanie - I have alopecia areata. FM me if you have any questions.

In my case, I am positively convinced it is stress related. I've talked with other people who have it and many many people feel that it is stress related even though there is not enough scientific evidence to completely prove it yet.

ETA: The cortisone injections worked well for me.

Message edited 1/14/2006 9:44:58 AM.

Re: Is this stress related?

My DH has alopecia. He doesn't have a hair on his body!! His doctor way back told him it is a combo of stress, nerves and allergies. He had a lot of things going on in his life. He has had no hair since he was about 25. From time to time we'll see these white hairs starting to grow in sporatically on his head, which forced him to buy his first razor in a 10 years. He could get the injections to get the hair growing again and at first was doing it, but gave up and now says if he grows hair back he'll just shave it off. The only way I have known him has been without hair and seeing him with hair in old pictures, just doesn't even look like him to me.

FM if ya have any questions!!

Re: Is this stress related?

Thank you girls, I think DH needs to go back to the doctor again...and he needs a vacation!!!