alopecia triggered by hepatitis b vaccine

[WorriedMOM1000]

My daughter is now 7. In December '07 i noticed a quarter sized bald spot under her hair - it had obviously been there for 4-8 weeks getting bigger by the day.  At end of June '07 she had the 2nd Hepatitis B vaccination.  Since the dr has told us that by the time the bald spot started growing the disease was already 3 months in the making. Using that time sequence of events, the drs and we believe the onset of her Alopecia Areata corresponds to the administeration of the 2nd Hep B vaccine. The CDC has admitted (which is amazing that they admit anything regarding adverse vaccine reactions) that there is a correlation betw onset of alopecia areata and the hep b vaccine. My question is - does anyone out there had this experience, and have they learned of anything that can reverse the effects of the vaccine?  My daughter's alopecia is getting quite severe as now her hair loss is extensive and involving her entire scalp?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

[alopeicaMom]

This thread is so old. But here I am ten years later and this just happened to my daughter. She received her recharge of HepB in mid May and by June 1st I noticed a bald patch, by August she was totally bald. My question to you...is do you continue giving the Hep series?

[MandyWriter]

Do what you know is right already

[MandyWriter]

I would suggest look up the risk factors for actually catching hep b and decide if you think its worth the risk.  How likely is she really to get Hep B.  Look into it.  Outweigh do you think the risk outweighs the benefit.  You are the mother.  You have to make the call.  The shots can be done later.   They cant be undone.  How at risk is she for catching Hep B.  Is she around anyone that has it.  Is she living in a high risk area of the world etc.

[MandyWriter]

And I didn't really mean as much do as don't or do whichever you think is right.  I think you already really know.  Doctors make a lot of stupid choices because they don't have to deal with the consequences of their decisions usually and they have malpractice insurance.  Maybe you can buy time and wait and find a specialist that deals with her condition to help you and see if they will listen to you.  I don't know. My mother blamed the shots a lot for my sisters condition and they do a lot inflame the immune system and that is all immune disorders are is an over active immune system.  It may not necessarily be specific to Hep B anymore and that may be something you may have to consider.  I don't want to make you paranoid either.  I have a theory weigh risk and benefit and make a choice and that's all you can do and you cant beat yourself up for it no matter what you decide.  You cant judge the future and you don't have a glass ball.  You cannot know everything.  I wish you the best.  You are with your child every day.  Research it.  Don't follow to much crazy or to much obviously leading studies.  Weigh your information carefully and make the best choice you can.  That's all we can do.

[GeneralShareman]

My son had exactly the same experience with the hep B vaccine when he was 5 years of age (he is 18 now.) He developed a dime-sized bald spot on the back of his head, which eventually progressed to alopecia universalis. This continued for many years until he grew back patchy areas of hair roughly around puberty. Today he is still patchy and the condition gets better in the summer when his exposure to sunlight is greater. Other than that he deals with his hair loss by shaving his head. The condition is capricious and there is no cure and no telling if or when it will turn itself off.

Best to accept the state of affairs and stop attaching so much importance to hair in females. As a support to my son I also shaved off all my hair and I'm his mother, not his dad. I love my look, I love HIS look, and it helps serve to remind him that no one actually needs hair. There is, in fact, nothing at all to worry about. The person with alopecia remains healthy. Good luck!!

[Sep_Seppy]

My son had the MMR at 2 1/2 years old.  I have him on an alternative vaccine schedule...taking things slowly...one vaccine at a time.  He has been perfectly healthy...perfect!!!  Then this stupid MMR vaccine that I ahve been holding off on and four days later a little bald patch on the back of his head.  MMR vaccine is a live virus vaccine, his immune system is learning to fihgt it off and then I learn from our pediatrician  alopecia is an immune reaction!  Coincidence...possibly,but no one can convince me that our children should be following the American Academy of Pediatrics Immunization Schedule.  It is ludricous to put so many toxins into such small bodies.

[taysmommy]

something someone once said to my sister was that god only made a few perfect heads, all the others he had to put hair on....just thought that could put a smile on your daughters face as it did for my sister :)

[taysmommy]

i have never heard of alopesia being linked to a vaccine, but im definatly going to read up on it now..so thanks for your question. .my sister is 8 years old and has had alopecia total since she was 6 months or so, now she is completley bald, the cause is a mystery for her geneticists and doctors, what i do know about the disorder from her many many trips to UCLA is that stress is a source that they have linked to the disease, did your daughter have any sort of surgerys prior to the onset?

[PlateletGal]

I'm sending you a link that may be helpful. From what I know about alopecia areata is that it is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. I'm currently on a research protocol (although the medications are not research medications) that is helping so many people with autoimmune diseases. I know I'm making progress with this protocol and my friends & family members have also noticed.

Please check your inbox.... I hope the information is helpful.

Best,

PlateletGal