By Sarah Longfield

IT started with a small patch of partial alopecia areata in 2001. It came after a particularly stressful time with work. I went to the doctors and was prescribed a shampoo that I was allergic to, so that didn’t work, then referred to a consultant.

Three months later, I had that appointment and one treatment option was to have the patch injected with steroids. It worked, and my hair grew back quickly.

Then, in 2012, I noticed a bald patch above my temple. I felt devastated, but also heartened as I knew how to fix it. I promptly saw the GP and got the consultant referral. By the time that rolled around, I had more than one patch and the original one had grown bigger. This time the steroid injection wasn’t available. There was nothing else that worked for me.

Nine years on, the alopecia continues. I’ll get a patch, it’ll then take a few months to regrow. Meanwhile, another will start to appear. Usually it’s above my temples, around my ears or round the back.

I’ve worked hard on my mindset around it. Sometimes it has got me down and I’ve felt very embarrassed and scared to go out on a windy day. But not any more. I have accepted that it’s my body’s way of expressing an issue and it causes me no physical pain. It doesn’t stop me getting out of bed in the morning; it doesn’t stop me from living a full, joyful and interesting life. Which is also why I'm involved in fundraising for Alopecia Awareness month throughout September.

“Is it stress-related?” people often ask.

My answer to that, after 20 years, is Yes and No.

Yes, my hair has fallen out more after times of extreme stress. And no, I’ve not been hugely stressed for nine years straight, yet I’ve had alopecia throughout. Life has had its challenges, sure, but stress is not a constant visitor.

Earlier this year, after several months of significantly improving my health through what I eat, I started to read about the microbiome and gut health’s role in auto-immune conditions, of which alopecia areata is one. I tried giving up wheat. Which worked for a bit, but after a weekend of indulgence, my hair fell out faster than ever.

So I had a choice. I could either cut wheat out of my diet, giving up regular pizza with the possibility of having a full head of hair, or accept that the baldy bits might be here to stay and eat the pizza.

I chose pizza.

Having that choice was wonderfully empowering.

My commitment now is to being a healthy as possible: eating as many different veggies as I can; exercising more; taking time out to potter, to play and to rest. I’m also raising awareness as one of Alopecia UK’s charity champions throughout September.

Find out more and donate at https://linktr.ee/sarahlongfield

Sarah Longfield is a Life Coach & Creative Producer