Alopecia Areata

[HeatherRJSoleil]

Hi there,

I was diagnosed gluten intolerant in November, just before Thanksgiving (nice timing!). About two months prior, in September, I noticed a couple round spots where my hair fell out. I figured it was brought on by stress, but read recently that there's a connection between gluten sensitivity and alopecia areata. Anyway, it's been six months and the hair hasn't come back. If anything the spots have gotten bigger since going gluten free.

I've been using Nioxin, but just switched to a gluten-free shampoo and conditioner just on the off chance that there's something gluten-derived in Nioxin (I've heard mixed reports). The little bumps that appeared on my bald spots are clearing up, which is something.

Has anyone had this problem, and if so, how long did it take before your hair came back?

This has happened to me once before, in 2007, and it came back within a few months. It's pretty disturbing. I look like a sumo wrestler if I put my hair in a ponytail.

Any help would be most appreciated.

Heather

[natalieeeV]

Heather,

I've been dealing with the same issue. I was diagnosed with Celiac Dz in September and started losing my hair in Dec/Jan timeframe. I'm not sure exactly why NOW I'm losing my hair since I wasn't gluten-free before October. I have an appt with my Dr on Monday and I'm going to ask him.

Like you, I thought it was due to stress, being away from my husband, family, recently moving across the country, etc... but it's not growing back. I'm Active Duty Military and I attributed the hair loss to be from maybe pulling my hair back every day (though I've been doing it for over 4 yrs...) so I cut it in December. Since then, no change... it still breaks A LOT, bald spots and thinning.

I've recently switched to gluten-free EVERYTHING.. Makeup, Shampoos, Gel, etc. Have you done that?

Let me know!

Natalie

[ciamarie]

I would suspect that switching to the gluten-free shampoo may make the difference. My hair was definitely thinning, and I've been gluten-free for just about 4 months now and my hair is now getting thicker for at least the last month or so. Since you mentioned that the red bumps are clearing up since using another shampoo, that's a good sign. In case you're curious, the shampoo I've been using for about the last 2 months is Suave Professional volumizing for fine hair.

[HeatherRJSoleil]

Thanks ya'll!

Maybe I will have to be patient (not my strong suit)?

Natalie, I'd be curious to know what your doc says -- good luck! As far as other personal care products, as far as I can tell everything is gluten free now. The only suspect item is my face cleaner -- from Trader Joe's -- which lists "oat amino acid" as an ingredient. I haven't looked into whether that could be a problem. I wear my hair in a ponytail a lot since I'm pretty athletic (running, cycling). I've started wearing one of those cloth headbands when I run, which hides most of the bald back of my head. I'd be so happy just to see stubble.

Heather

[ciamarie]

Oats are usually cross-contaminated with wheat during processing, so anything with oats should be considered unsafe. (Except for specifically labeled gluten-free oats.) I'd replace the face cleaner as soon as you can, though it may or may not affect your scalp.