Chloe's Alopecian Existence

I want to write about my personal dating experience I've had since I started wearing wigs. Some good, some bad, some just questionable. Let me start this off by saying that I am single, and actively dating, trying to find my lobster. I have tried meeting people organically, online, apps, even a dating show in the UK (not an experience I care to repeat). This may be a longish post so buckle up and enjoy. via GIPHY Dating for me has been very hot and cold. I have had 2 serious relationships, both during my 20s and I hadn't lost my hair at that point. Alopecia for me at that stage was just something I had and saw a doctor every 4 weeks or so for some needles and that was it. It was never something we discussed or questioned. Fast forward to my time in London where my hair-loss really kicked it up a notch and and my self-confidence took a rather large hit. I could no longer conceal my hair-loss as it had reached the crown of my head so I decided it was time to invest in ...

When it comes to Alopecia, there are many things people say to you... some of them supportive, some of them condescending, some of them curious, and some of them just plain cruel. I have had people ask me how my chemo is going. I've had a car full of some idiots yell 'dyke' out the car window at me. I've had people say at least you have a pretty face. I've had people stand up for me on the train and bus because they assumed I have cancer... you know what they say about assume?  And you know what, I took the seat. I told the idiots at the traffic lights I have alopecia (followed by a choice word or two), I told the lady I'm not going through chemo, I have alopecia.  Most of the time these sorts of comments are water off a duck's back yet sometimes I do get riled up and if I'm caught having a bad day, I may retaliate... an example of this was while I was at the gym and this big bloke kept staring at me. I went to fill my water bottle, he cut me...

I was 14 years old when I was first diagnosed with Alopecia Areata. It started when I was putting my hair into pigtails and when I went to check the part was even at the back, there was a smooth, round patch about the size of the palm of my hand that was completely bald. WHAT THE HELL WAS GOING ON? I think I screamed out to my mum in tears and off to the doctor we went, referred to a dermatologist and diagnosed with Alopecia Areata.  My wonderful dermatologist then proceeded to suggest I have regular cortisone injections to help reduce inflammation in my hair follicles and I rolled up my sleeve ready for the shot... little did I know that these injections needed to be a little more localised. So every 4 weeks for 12 years I went and had these injections and that kept my hair growing and kept the patches from getting bigger... and then... I moved to London.  London is where things took a turn. After waiting more than 8 months to get into a dermatologists office, she ...