Alopecia areata is defined by the Encycolpedia of Children's Health as the partial or complete loss of hair---especially on the scalp---that occurs in patches. Hair loss on the entire head is called alopecia totalis; over the entire body it is called alopecia universalis. Children who have developed alopecia areata have to adjust to the diagnosis of a chronic condition, as well as the physical changes in their appearance. However, there are things that can be done to make it a more bearable process.
Treatments
While there are many treatments available, only a few are recommended by the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF). The currently available treatments are most effective in patients who have lost more than half of their hair. These treatments include cortisone injections to the bare skin patches, 5 percent topical minoxidil solution applied twice daily to the bald spots, and anthralin cream or ointment applied once daily and washed off after 30 to 60 minutes. The NAAF also makes it clear that the available treatments do not stop alopecia areata; they merely stimulate the hair follicles to produce hair again. These treatments must be continued until the disease turns itself off.
There is some evidence to suggest that aromatherapy is a safe and effective treatment for alopecia areata. Additionally stress reduction techniques such as yoga, meditation or creative visualization may increase blood flow to the scalp and stimulate hair growth, according to the Children's Health Encyclopedia.
School Life
Alopcia areate is a very visible condition. While it is very common and can affect people of all ages, many people still do not know about it and may react negatively to your child's appearance. Thus, the NAAF stresses the importance of educating the administration, teachers and fellow students of your child about alopecia areata. Make sure they know that your child is not sick, that alopecia areata is not contagious, and that alopecia areata will not limit a child from doing all of the activities that other children do. This is especially important in a classroom setting. In fact, the NAAF has even created a "School Pack" and a video entitled "Alopecia Areata: Why My Hair Falls Out" for use in this educational journey. This is particularly useful in educating your child's peers.
Psychological Impacts
Children who have alopecia areata and their family often experience a variety of feelings and frustrations, including feeling isolated, depressed, hopeless, angry and embarrassed. It is also not uncommon for them to experience feelings of loss and grief. For the child with alopecia areata, he may also fear that others will find out about his condition, blame himself for his disease, be frantic for a cure, or feel guilty about how it affects his family. Parents may feel guilty about genetically contributing to their child's alopecia areata. They may feel helpless about their inability to ease the disease progression and/or their child's pain. Siblings and members of the extended family may also feel guilt, shame, and anger about how the disease affects their lives as well. Due to the nature of this disease, it is often experienced as a trauma, which furthers these psychological impacts.
Although the NAAF notes that all of the above are common reactions, if the feelings are overwhelming, persistent, or create dramatic changes in your life, you may benefit from counseling. There are alopecia areata support groups that often provide the amount of support needed for individuals and families. Individual counseling with a trained professional is a great supplement to the support groups, as it provides more time to focus on your specific experiences and to discuss confidential matters.
Maintaining Hope
While alopecia areata is not life threatening, it is absolutely life altering. From its sudden onset to recurrent episodes and overall unpredictable course, it has a profound psychological impact on the lives of those disrupted by this disease. It is important to remember that the hair follicles remain alive and are waiting to resume their normal hair production whenever they receive the appropriate signal from the brain. In all cases, hair re-growth may occur even without treatment and even after many years, according to the NAAF. Do not lose hope for a more normal life.
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