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Hi Listmates,

Many thanks to all who replied to my question regarding alopecia.
All replies have been forwarded in their entirety to Alessandra and her family.
They were very touched with all the kindness and sharing of similiar
experiences, and the offer of practical suggestions.
They have asked me to pass on a big GRAZIE MILLE to all who replied.

Summary of replies:
Suggestions as to cause, or what could be done were varied.
*Have her thyroid checked.
*Check for chemical exposure
*Two people suggested to check for Biotin deficiencies.
* Check for vitamin B deficiencies.
*Have their daughter's blood ELISA tested for reactions to common food proteins.
* Evening primrose oil supplements appeared to be helping one person who
was encountering hair loss.
* One person suggested checking into the alopecia foundation.
* One person had read somewhere that celiac and alopecia occur on the same gene.
* Contact your library for an article found
in the American Family Physician Journal, March 1, 1998/Volume 57,
Number 5.  In it is this paragraph: Celiac disease has not been
previously recognized as a cause of alopecia. In a prospective
screening, 254 consecutive outpatients with alopecia areata were tested,
using antigliadin and antiendomysial antibodies. Results were positive
in three patients and, despite a lack of gastrointestinal symptoms,
these patients underwent intestinal biopsy. All three were found to have
celiac disease, and treatment with a gluten-free diet was initiated.
When a 14-year-old boy with alopecia universalis complied with the GF
diet, all of his hair, eyebrows and eyelashes regenerated. In this
prospective study, the prevalence of celiac disease associated with
alopecia areata was found to be one in 85.

Last but not least was a reply from Susan who explained the problem,
and her positive attitude in dealing with it:

**There are three types of auto-immune hair loss diseases.  The names are
alopecia areata which means baldness in spots typically on the scalp,
alopeca totalis which is total baldness on the scalp, and alopecia
universalis which is hair loss of all of the body hair.

I am a biopsy diagnosed celiac with alopecia universalis.  From talking
with my doctor I have learned that the alopecia diseases are companion
diseases, not necessarily side effects from malnutrition.  you should also
be aware that there are hair loss problems with other diseases too.  Some
people with lupus and thyroid problems for example also have similar
problems.

I have gone through many different treatments.  They seem to help some,
but then as soon as the treatment stops or is cut back some -- out falls
the hair.  It is frustrating, expensive, and really a waste of time.  I
have learned to live without hair and I wear a cute wig when I go out of
the house.  I never have days with messy looking hair and I never have to
take the time to get a haircut! :)

P.S.  I started out with bald patches on my head.  Over the course of 12
years it has become the full blown alopecia universalis.  My thoughts and
prayers are with a child that suffers from looking different.  Please let
them know that with a positive mental attitude it really is not so bad.  I
wear lots of cute hats around the house and the yard.

Thanks again for everyone's help!
Esther, Calgary, Canada