Hello, I have a question about treating Alopecia. I've had it all my life. Doctor told my mother when I was a child that it was mostly due to a nervous condition. I would get balding spots about the size of a quarter periodically, but it would always eventually grow back.
Well a year ago another quarter sized spot appeared. As the year progressed, so did the size of the bald spot. Now it is pretty much the whole side of my head with no signs of growing back.
Well anyway, I've read up on this on a few sites, and a few people have reported that apple cider vinegar has helped them. Is there any truth to this? Can it really help to regrow hair?
Thanks

Vinegar is good for your scalp because of it's cleaning properties. It's good for your scalp when there is danddruff and soap residue but it doesn't make hair grow.
I'm not going to contradict a doctor, but have you been to see one since you were little? A dermatologist?
A healthy diet is what grows hair (along with your genes; I and my mother have very little hair and my brother, sister, and father have tons).
B vitamin complex is important for hair. So is cutting out sugar. They go hand in hand. If you bought some cider vinegar, drink 2 tablespoons a day instead. Make sure your diet has a fresh natural oil like first cold pressed olive oil, 2 tablespoons a day in cooking or on a salad. Get out in the air everyday with your head uncovered, and don't overdo the shampoo. And of course no bleach or dyes.

Have you seen a doctor for this problem? Stress can be a factor; is there a lot of stress in your life?

What would you do with the vinegar? Drink it or put it on your scalp? For how long before it's claimed you'd see results? Apple cider vinegar is cheap enough, so give it a try, but also talk with a doctor about this.

Hi Joy. No I haven't been to a dermotologist about it. I never over do it with shampoo. And I certainly never bleach or use dyes. The sugar thing is interesting though. I was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. My sugar was high because I don't produce insulin anymore. Now I inject it. Could that have something to do with it perhaps?

Hi Wondergirl. The site I read said to mix it with water and rinse with it after shampooing, and leave it in for a few minutes. I've tried this for the past three nights. They say it takes about twelve weeks before you start seeing any effects

I found this about sugar and stress --

STRESS, BLOOD SUGAR PROBLEMS & HAIR LOSS | The Hair Centre, Hair Loss Blog (http://www.thewestminsterpractice.com/blog/stress-blood-sugar-problems-hair-loss/comment-page-1/)

Two years ago, I was hospitalized for severe anemia (including low blood sugar and extreme thirst). A few months later, my hair started to thin. I took 5,000-7,000 IUs of vitamin D daily (see response #2) among other things, but it took a year for my hair to regain its natural thickness and shine.

The healthy diet is key, as is relief from stress. The healthy diet (and you are going to have to have one now with diabetes) will help with that. Diabetes can make you feel stressed, angry, weak, irritable when your sugar is off.
But my remark about sugar is irrespective of diabetes. Anyone who consumes a lot of sugar may see more hair falling out, but not in spots, all over equally usually.
Vinegar ONLY helps the surface of your scalp by stripping the pores of shampoo and conditioner residue, and natural sebum (oil secreted on the scalp) for healthier follicles. But it's not going to help your inner health. That will be from lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, very little red meats, not too much dairy except yogurt and cottage cheese, not fried chicken and an egg here and there. Cut out fried foods, sweets, breads, and hard cheeses for a few months. Brown rice takes 45 minutes, so I make a big pot and freeze portions in baggies. (I like it for keeping me from being constipated, as well as being good for me.)

Thank you Wondergirl and Joy. I looked into that site you suggested. It seems the onset of the extreme hair loss coincides with the onset of the diabetes. That explains a lot. Im still in progress of getting my blood sugar levels regulated through insulin shots, a healthier diet. Hopefully with time, my hair will start regrowing. I will also look into the Vitamin D supplements as well.
I may still go on with the vinegar thing just to see what happens. It can't hurt, right?

I may still go on with the vinegar thing just to see what happens. It can't hurt, right?
No, it certainly won't. Use it daily in foods and as salad dressing too.

Please report back occasionally to let us know how things are going (and growing!).

Yes, I will. Thank you!