Something that every woman should know more about is alopecia. Alopecia arietta is a skin disease that can make you lose parts of your hair, either on your scalp or on your body. Our hair is part of who we are, and losing it can have a major impact on our quality of life. This is why it is important to learn to look after ourselves if we experience alopecia. Here are a few things to try out.
Be Creative
Many of us feel that losing something like this is the equivalent of losing our identity. But this could be the opportunity to express ourselves in a more creative fashion. Companies like Uche Hair provide hair extensions that you can try out, but you could also use other methods such as caps or scarves. This may feel like you’re trying to cover up or deflect attention from what is going on, but it can be a very useful coping strategy while you get used to how you look.
Finding Supportive People
Some people could be more understanding about alopecia, but others can be more flippant in their remarks. The most important thing to remember is that we need to surround ourselves with people who will be supportive of us and can empathize with or relate. There are numerous alopecia support groups out there. When you find the right people, there is strength in numbers because they will offer you far more support and tools to help yourself.
Looking After Your Mental Health
It is common to feel grief, anger, guilt, and a number of other emotional responses. All these are perfectly normal responses to alopecia. There is no right or wrong. But it is crucial to understand that depression is something that can occur. Speaking to a doctor if you experience any persistent symptoms of depression, such as hopelessness, fatigue, or thoughts of death, can point you toward a counselor. It can affect our state of mind, which is why it’s so important for us to seek support because if we can treat depression sooner, it can have a far better impact on our quality of life.
Stop Searching for the Cure
Doctors will prescribe a treatment plan, but while there are medicines that can regrow hair, it is important for us to not focus on getting a cure. It can be a very stressful process, but there are a wide variety of treatment options out there, and it is important to be proactive. The most difficult thing is when we are constantly searching for the one true solution. We have to learn that it may not come to fruition, and therefore, we have to learn to accept ourselves. If you can struggle to embrace alopecia, a counselor or therapist can point you in the right direction. It is so vital that you take care of yourself when getting a diagnosis of alopecia. It can feel like losing a limb, but there are a number of strategies that could help you.
