How sports teacher tackled alopecia

Sports teacher Christine Orton had already noticed a thinning patch of hair on the crown of her head. But when a hairdresser discovered two more bald patches the Bedford mum-of-two feared the worst.

“It really gave me a fright,” explained 58-year-old Christine, “I was scared I could go completely bald and just didn’t know what I could do about it. The patches were completely hairless and shiny. It was very upsetting.”

But now Christine has regained her hair and is telling other suffers that help is out there.

Christine, who teaches at Bedford Modern School, met with Dr Anton Alexandroff, a consultant dermatologist at BMI Manor Hospital in Biddenham. He explained that she was suffering from alopecia areata, a condition where the body rejects the hair follicles leading to patchy or complete baldness.

But he assured her there was a treatment and prescribed a very strong steroid lotion for her scalp.

He explained: “Christine suffered from alopecia areata, the third most common type of alopecia. Although this often heals itself, it can take up to a year, whereas treatments can speed this up considerably.

“Alopecia can have a strong effect on a person’s confidence so the faster we can get the hair growing again the better it is.”

“If the lotion doesn’t have the desired effect then a strong solution of steroids can be injected locally.

“In extreme cases a very intensive treatment called topical immunotherapy where an allergic reaction is provoked in areas affected by alopecia in order to stimulate hair regrowth.”

Christine said: “It was an unsettling period but my husband was very supportive and Dr Alexandroff seemed very confident that he could get my hair to regrow.

“I would advise other women suffering hair loss to see their GP as soon as possible. You can try and cover up or hide the patches but if you get treatment there is a strong chance your hair will return to its normal state.”