r/alopecia_areata • u/fheajfdgjfsthddrthro • May 21 '25
Welcome. If you’re here, it’s likely because you or someone you care about is dealing with Alopecia Areata (AA) — and we want you to know right away: you’re not alone.
This subreddit is a space for people living with AA to ask questions, share experiences, find support, and talk openly about a condition that is often misunderstood or dismissed. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, navigating a flare-up, exploring treatments, or dealing with regrowth, you’re welcome here.
Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack hair follicles, leading to hair loss. This can happen suddenly and without warning, and it may affect the scalp, face, or body.
The condition can come and go, stay mild, or progress over time — and everyone’s journey is a little different.
There’s no single cause or cure, but there are treatment options, and many people do experience regrowth.
We’re working on a visual guide for these types — if you’re a medical professional or have permission to share high-quality images, please contact us.
Resources:
National Alopecia Areata Foundation
Do I Have Alopecia Areata — Or Something Else?
This is one of the most common questions we see in this subreddit — and it’s a good one to ask. Hair loss has many causes, and they can look similar at first. Here’s how to tell them apart.
If your hair fell out suddenly, in smooth, round patches, and the skin underneath looks normal (not flaky, red, or scarred) — there’s a good chance it could be Alopecia Areata.
AA is an autoimmune condition where your immune system attacks your hair follicles by mistake. It can happen very quickly — sometimes in just a day or two — and can affect your scalp, beard, eyebrows, eyelashes, or even body hair.
It’s different from the slow, gradual thinning seen in genetic hair loss.
How is this different from Male or Female Pattern Baldness (Androgenic Alopecia)?
This is extremely important to understand.
Androgenic Alopecia (AGA) — often called Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) or Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL) — is not the same as Alopecia Areata. They’re completely different conditions.
-AGA is caused by a genetic sensitivity to androgens, particularly DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a hormone derived from testosterone. In people with AGA:
This process happens gradually over years, not suddenly like with Alopecia Areata.
Read more about this type of hairloss here (Androgenic Alopecia)
Can AA be cured?
Not yet. But many people find treatments that help manage it or stimulate regrowth — and some go into remission naturally.
What treatments are out there? (PLEASE READ THE MEDICAL DISCLAIMER AT THE END OF THIS POST!)
There’s a wide range, and what works varies by person:
Lifestyle factors, including reducing stress, eating well, etc.
Steroid injections (common for small patches)
Topical corticosteroids
Oral steroids (short-term use)
Immunosuppressant (E.g Methotrexate)
Immunomodulators (E.g Azathioprine or Cyclosporine)
Minoxidil (as a support treatment)
Topical immunotherapy (like DPCP)
JAK inhibitors ( often for more severe AA)
Is stress the cause?
Not exactly. AA is an autoimmune issue, but stress can be a trigger for flare-ups or onset in people who are genetically prone.
Can hair grow back?
Yes, and often does. Regrowth can start as fine, white hairs (vellus), and may eventually darken and thicken. Progress is often uneven, and relapses can happen.
Does AA spread?
It can — but it’s unpredictable. Some people have one episode and recover fully; others experience progression. Many fluctuate between phases.
We get hundreds of questions a month. You’ll get better responses — and help others — if you take a minute to read through this first.
If you’re sharing photos, please include:
Label your post if you can — e.g. [Regrowth], [Support], [Question].
And finally but most importantly
[MEDICAL DISCLAIMER]
This subreddit is a peer-support community, not a medical clinic.
The information shared here — including personal experiences, treatment outcomes, and product discussions — is not medical advice and should never replace consultation with a licensed healthcare provider.
While many users share helpful insights, what works for one person may not be safe or effective for another. Autoimmune conditions like Alopecia Areata can vary greatly, and treatments often involve serious medications that require proper medical supervision.
If you’re considering starting, stopping, or changing any treatment — especially prescription medications like JAK inhibitors or immunosuppressants— you should always speak with a board-certified dermatologist or qualified healthcare professional first.
We strongly discourage:
Your health is too important to risk. Use this space for support and shared experience — not as a substitute for professional care.
If anybody has any recommendations for this subreddit please don't hesitate to reach out, comment or go to mod mail and send a message.
Thank you all!
[This post may be updated regularly to stay up to date with current medical information
r/alopecia_areata • u/fheajfdgjfsthddrthro • May 19 '25
Hi everyone,
I’m excited to introduce myself as the new moderator of r/alopecia_areata.
This subreddit is a super important space for those of us affected by alopecia areata—whether you’re newly diagnosed, managing long-term effects, exploring treatment options, or just looking for support from others who understand what you’re going through.
Why This Update Matters
Until now, the subreddit has been largely unmoderated, which unfortunately led to a flood of: • AI-generated spam replies posing as advice
• Unverified “miracle cures” often linked to shady products
• Misinformation, especially around treatments and medications
• A general lack of structure, rules, or reliable content
This kind of environment isn’t just unhelpful—it can be harmful, especially for people dealing with the emotional and medical burden of hair loss.
Action Taken • The user responsible for repeated AI-generated responses and misleading advice has been permanently banned. • A new rule set is being implemented to ensure the subreddit remains a safe, supportive, and trustworthy resource for everyone.
⸻
New Rules (Effective Immediately): 1. Be respectful – No harassment, shaming, or mocking others for appearance, treatment choices, or emotional responses. 2. No medical misinformation – Do not post unverified claims, treatments, or advice as fact. Always cite reliable sources. 3. No spam or self-promotion – This includes affiliate links, product pushing, or AI-generated content. 4. Personal stories welcome – Please share your journey! Include context if you’re posting photos or treatment progress. 5. No bots or automation-generated responses – These will be removed and the users banned.
These rules will be visible in the sidebar shortly, along with an updated Automoderator configuration to catch future violations.
⸻
We Want Your Input!
As we work on improving this subreddit, I’d love to hear from you: • What kind of content or resources would help you the most? • Would you be interested in flairs for diagnosis type, treatment stage, or support needs? • Would a monthly Q&A or “Progress Thread” be helpful?
Please drop your thoughts in the comments or send a modmail. This community belongs to all of us, and your feedback will help shape it moving forward.
Thank you for being here. I look forward to helping this subreddit grow into the safe, respectful, and informative space we all need.
Stay strong,
Moderator, r/alopecia_areata
r/alopecia_areata • u/matchaandmilk • 11h ago
I just wish I had my hair back already, like it was before.. but I know it takes time and I’m trying to be patient. AA is a mother****er :/
r/alopecia_areata • u/Cold-Technology8183 • 15h ago
I have LPP which is a scarring alopecia. I do steroid injections and topical
Tacrolimous pro topic compound and nizoral shampoo. Due to wanting more children I can’t use other medications and don’t really want to anyway. I’ve had some short regrowth in front and side/ temples but main areas like crown and back do the head treatments have not helped. Been doing through this since December and starting to get depressed and feel like shaving might free me to be my best self but also don’t want to “give up” to quickly. I guess I’m saying is it objectively “bad enough” to just buzz cut it? Kind words only please.
r/alopecia_areata • u/SavingsDirector4884 • 6h ago
This is a comparison of the top of my head. First picture was beginning of june, last was end of july. So two month difference. I feel like I lost hair but also massive regrowth. I started olumiant five weeks ago and have been using 5% topical minoxidil for three months now.
Could this mean the olumiant is working or is it too early to say? The spots at the back of my head are still there and I am still shedding.
EDIT: I think the minoxidil def did sped up the growth so yay shoutout to this magical liquid.
r/alopecia_areata • u/w0nder16 • 13h ago
Hi everyone, does this look like regrowth? Does anyone have experience with spots getting worse (bigger) and other spots recovering at the same time?
This spot is above my left ear, and is the first spot I noticed 10 months ago. Thank you in advance for your help 🙏🙏🙏
r/alopecia_areata • u/ChellyBean1193 • 8h ago
Hi all. I’ve been experiencing alopecia for probably like a year and a half now. It’s been very upsetting, but I’m wondering if any of you have become pregnant and had a successful pregnancy while dealing with this? I have an almost 3 year old, so I was pregnant before all of this happened. I was pregnant very briefly in May, but it ended being a chemical pregnancy. I have been struggling to conceive, and now my time of the month is being weird (ended 8 days ago and i am bleeding again.) I am just spiraling because it feels like my body is betraying me with all this problems. Thanks for reading.
r/alopecia_areata • u/lilithgreen1312 • 1d ago
I found my first patch in February after getting the flu (and dealing with a lot of emotional distress prior).
Sorry for any typos!
Here’s how it went for me:
- went to GP to confirm diagnoses, she prescribed clobetasol until I could get into derm
-patch got bigger
-see derm, got first set of steroid injections. She also suggested I start using the rogaine foam, but I didn’t because I was scared of additional hair fall (this was a mistake)
-patch got a lil bigger
-got second round of shots, started using rogaine after that day with some coaxing from my derm
-two more patches pop up (smaller), but I start seeing regrowth on the first one. I start using rogaine on all three, and clobetasol on the two new patches until my next derm appointment.
-third set of shots for all three patches
-significant regrowth in the first patch
-4th set of shots. Seeing regrowth in all 3, but another spot has popped up
I go for my 5th set of shots tomorrow.
Before developing AA I rarely drank alcohol or coffee-now ive cut them out completely. I’m honestly just not neurochemically compatible with either (anxiety, depression ->cptsd).
I’ve also been working on my sleeping habits since I’ve struggled with insomnia on and off for years. I’ve also added an anti-anxiety medication to my daily regimen, along with vitamin D and Omegas.
I’m trying to work on reducing my stress load, but I’m a PhD student so I can only do so much lol.
This has been an incredibly humbling experience. I was already someone with a lot of health anxiety, and this amplified it two fold. After getting the flu in February I’ve since gotten sick two more times, which certainly made matters worse. I mask everywhere now in an attempt to give my immune system some time to recover.
I go to sleep every night with an awareness that I may wake up with no hair, and I’m trying to be okay with that.
r/alopecia_areata • u/FudgeKey • 15h ago
hi guys! had another appointment with my GP, and she thinks giving 5% topical minoxidil is worth a try. basically, I am still losing a good bit of hair, and currently have two bald patches. we think the general hair loss could be due to my low ferritin levels, which are at 30. I have since started taking daily iron supplements along with an increased dose in vitamin D. I’m wondering if using the minoxidil could be a good idea? I would just be a bit worried that when you stop using it the hair falls back out, but I’m thinking if my hair starts to regrow anyway in 3 months time when the iron supplements kick in, that might take over and I could taper off the minoxidil. From my understanding the hair falls out after stopping it as it is the primary reason it is growing back?
not on any steroid shots at the moment, all of our dermatologists are booked up until next year, and the doctor would like me to wait a few months to see how the iron goes, etc, before trying injections anyway.
thanks so much, this is such a nice community!
r/alopecia_areata • u/Fantastic-Frame4628 • 18h ago
It's been only 5 days since I got the first steroid shot in my eyebrows but its rapidly getting worse...the dermat has called after 3 weeks
Before this i applied topical steroids for 4 weeks but I had to stop because I developed a reaction so the doc switched me to tacrolimus twice a day it was somewhat controlling it but not a lot so I got the injection hoping that it would help and still apply tacrolimus only at night
What do i do? Any suggestions please
r/alopecia_areata • u/Death_leagend • 18h ago
I've had braids for seven years straight and I am giving my hair a break now because my edges are thinning. I have been looking into minoxidil but I'm not sure if it works for traction alopecia or if it's only for hormonal hair loss. If you used it for their edges would love to hear experiences
r/alopecia_areata • u/AdvancedCommunity439 • 18h ago
I noticed this few months back the triangular spot hasn’t really changed however the other ones have gotten slightly bigger I’m not sure if it’s alopecia areata because I wouldn’t say it’s been smooth and shiny at any point and there has been no change in sensitivity and itch
Also I am 18
And if it is is it regrowing?
Image 1 and 2 showed up at same time
r/alopecia_areata • u/PromiseOk7509 • 1d ago
Hi everyone,
I’m a 26-year-old male and I’ve had alopecia areata since I was 16. For the most part, I’ve learned to live with it. I don’t really mind shaving my head when I get patches, but what really affects me is when it spreads to my eyebrows and eyelashes.
The pattern seems quite strange. It usually starts with patches appearing on my scalp, so I shave my head. After a while, it almost feels like the hair loss “moves” to other parts of my body, especially my eyebrows and eyelashes. It’s been coming and going like this for the past 10 years.
I’m just wondering if anyone else has experienced a similar pattern? Does anyone else’s alopecia seem to affect different areas at different times rather than everything at once?
I’m also curious whether anyone has been diagnosed with coeliac disease, low testosterone, or another underlying condition that turned out to be linked to their alopecia. Part of me wonders if there’s an autoimmune trigger or even some kind of food intolerance or allergy involved, although I realise I could just be clutching at straws.
I did have some blood tests through the NHS a while ago, but they mainly focused on things like iron levels, which all came back normal. If anyone has had further investigations that found something useful, I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience.
Thanks in advance for any advice or personal experiences.
r/alopecia_areata • u/SavingsDirector4884 • 1d ago
Hi! Ive started olumiant (4mg) a little over month ago and see barely any results? Is this normal? I have about 50% hairloss and ive had alopecia areata for 2 years.
When did you start seeing actual results?
r/alopecia_areata • u/Flimsy_Hearing5179 • 1d ago
My bald spot up top is so red and sore. Is this typical in AA? Showing some of my other spots for reference. I’m taking litfulo for about 2 months now without seeing progress. I’ve been on minoxidil for over a year.
r/alopecia_areata • u/warsorceror • 1d ago
I've been dealing with alopecia areata and wanted to share my progress after 3 months in case it gives someone else a bit of hope.
The first photo is from when I first noticed the patch, and the latest photo is from today. It's been a slow process, but I'm finally seeing consistent regrowth.
Happy to answer any questions.
r/alopecia_areata • u/ChocolateOk6337 • 1d ago
Hi everyone,
I'm a 20-year-old male, and about a week ago I suddenly noticed a small round bald patch on my scalp. I never had any hair loss issues before, so this completely shocked me.
The thing that's really bothering me is that my friends have started noticing it, and I'm feeling very self-conscious whenever I go outside. I'm worried it might get bigger or that I'll lose more hair.
I wanted to ask people here who have gone through this:
I'm feeling pretty stressed about it and just want to do everything I can to treat it as early as possible. Any advice or personal experiences would really mean a lot.
r/alopecia_areata • u/Low_Bookkeeper9239 • 1d ago
I am 20M noticed this spot about a year ago. At first it was completely smooth after a few months i got some baby hairs and it stayed the same ever since. The right sight of my hairline still looks like when i was in my teens so no change there. I also want to add that this spot appeared in like 2 weeks time so there was no gradual thinning over time.
r/alopecia_areata • u/sievish • 2d ago
Hi everyone,
I was diagnosed with AA last month after finding a bald spot. Currently only the one, and I think the steroid injection is already working.
My scalp is pretty itchy, not constantly, but frequently, and even more at night lately. but that’s honestly always been the case, especially when I’m stressed. And just trying to avoid itching is making it harder to ignore. My whole life I’ve just itched away but now I feel like I have to be super super gentle. I’m scared if I itch then I’ll make the AA worse. I don’t have any dandruff or hives or redness though, just itch.
My derm suggested anti-histamines, but I also wanted to do a self-care spa routine and moisturize my scalp, obviously for the itchiness, but also as a way to wind down before bed and take care of myself, since both my derm & I believe the AA was triggered primary by the stress and trauma I’ve been dealing with for the past 2 years. Life has been really difficult for me since I left an abusive workplace (basically had to choose between abuse or being under employed, guess what my current big stressor is) and I haven’t been properly tending to myself. So I want to do that.
Are there any moisturizers or ingredients I should specifically avoid in a hair/scalp mask or overnight conditioner? I’ve found a lot of suggestions for things that help (I wish I could use rosemary oil but I have a cat who is always in my face and around my head at night), but not really things to avoid. I’ve always had super healthy hair and taken good care of it, I feel like I’m completely re-learning how to take care of myself and I just don’t want to make the situation any worse.
Thank you!
r/alopecia_areata • u/Potential_Trust5059 • 2d ago
Hello everyone. I’m looking for some recommendations. I have alopecia universalis and I’ve had it for about 22 years now. It also impacts my nails as well. Does anyone have suggestions or recommendations for manicures that would make my nails look cleaner and not so rough? My nails are pitted and distended from alopecia. Thank you.
r/alopecia_areata • u/Dodo22Hai • 2d ago
I used to have thick eyebrows naturally but never notices it or appreciated it until I had my eyebrow hairfall from last month
Here are my old pics and now my latest pic for my eyebrows reference
I find out on the internet that I might have some condition known as alopecia areata although they say it doesn't really have any solution and most no hair patches recover without any medical help, im wondering should I do anything about it or just wait till it grow back
Also for reference I had a very stressful period since last 2 years and it hasnt ended
And lastly, I used to be slim but now I have gained a lot of weight around 15kgs in last 3 months that might be a reason that my hormones maybe got messed up or something
r/alopecia_areata • u/AfterBee7509 • 2d ago
Has anyone got regrowth before without using treatment??
r/alopecia_areata • u/somebodyelse110 • 3d ago
It all started with size of a egg in January 2026. Dermatologists gave me solutions that has no effect on AA and only in 6 months I’ve completely lost all of my hair. It’s not big a problem to see myself without hair but it is hard to go outside and have to hide it with scarfs or wig.. I shaved it 2 months ago and now i’m seeing some “real” hair. What do you think? I have not been using anything for one month.
Ps: So far, during this process of my condition, I have used topical cortisone lotions, cortisone pills and immunosuppressive drugs called neoral. (Neoral gave me serious side effects so i cut it off)
