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Comment by LosWochosWeek | Hacker News Reader

What a coincidence. I just got my first appearance of alopecia areata (only one spot, has been there for 10 weeks now --- hoping more dont pop up). It's quite annoying. Unfortunately, living in the EU I'll have to wait for you guys to figure it out first.

PS: Anyone in the know who wants to give me the straight answer to whether or not I should be expecting more holes to pop up?

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This drug (baricitinib) seems to be approved for use in the EU (https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/olumiant), but if EU pharmacies don't have it yet you might be able to order it on some online gray market source, which is pretty easy these days for a variety of substances.

I'm almost at totalis stage now, and haven't had eyebrows for close to a decade?

I had periods of regrowth, and new patches, as well as long periods of steroids to try and spur growth. I just accepted it, and lived life.

There were periods where I should have just gone bald, as it would have looked way better. So it goes.

It will be annoying, but I never felt like it really held me back, just my "thing" that I pay attention to, like others with their "thing".

I had it in my facial hair a few years ago. Two bare patches. My barber said it was likely stress-related (though I didn't feel stressed out at all). Then a year or two later it went away for no apparent reason. Nothing had really changed in my life that I could think would affect my stress levels. In other words, both its appearance and disappearance are a complete mystery.

I also have almost no hair on my legs below my mid-calf, and I did when I was younger.

Every few years I get a patch on my beard or hair that grows about 1.5 inches. But hair comes back in full in a few months, as if it never happened.

Sample-size of 1 here: Yeah, I would prepare myself to see more. Mine came on kinda strong, both scalp and beard. Doing full shave now, still have eyebrows though!

May I ask after much time had passed after you got your first hole before you got the other holes?

Yes, alopecia areata is generally a progressive disease. It might be worth discussing with your doctor early. I'm not too familiar with the European regulatory landscape, but I would guess any JAK inhibitor would need to prove efficacy in a European-listed trial of AA to seek approval there, and maybe you'd be a candidate.

I had a few spots show up on my scalp and beard. I was told by a dermatologist to put cortisone cream and the bald patches have stayed away.

I agree with the sibling advice to see a doctor. Please don’t take what I’ve written as medical advice.

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