Hair

[Belly]

OK, So I was diagnosed with Crohn's Colitis about 18 months ago. I was told I had a "mild form" because I only required Pentassa to get into remission, and only had the extremely unpleasant bleeding experience on one occasion.

That said, before I was diagnosed, I was sick for a very long time. Like almost two years due to being misdiagnosed by 3 different doctors as having "IBS". Anyways, over the course of those two years I apparently became super malnourished, because before I got into remission with the Pentassa, my hair was falling out in CLUMPS. Like my trademark was that I would leave strands of hair EVERYWHERE i went. I thought it was kind of funny/disturbing. Anyway, my hair doesn't fall out like that anymore, and I don't have any symptoms 99% of the time. That said, my hair is much, much darker than it was 2 years ago!

I only just noticed this yesterday, when I was looking at photos from a few Halloweens ago. I know hair tends to darken with age (I was born with very light blond hair, and was a dark, dirty blond all through high school/college) but now my hair is dark! and I have no problem with dark hair, I actually prefer it on other people, but it looks rather unnatural on me. My hair also looks dead and sick. Has anyone else experienced this? Hair falling out and growing back in darker and courser? WTF?

No big deal compared to the rest of our Crohn's-related problems, I know, but still...weird?

 

[SarahBear]

I haven't had that specific problem, but my hair falls out a lot. Not in clumps, but I lose a lot. I have no idea why your hair would get darker, but it basically sounds like it's damaged. Do you blow dry or straighten it often? Have you been losing weight, eating less, been fatigued, or anything else that might indicate malnutrition? Are you a vegetarian? Do you wash your hair daily?

The natural oils your scalp makes condition your hair. That's what they're for. If your hair doesn't get too oily, it's best to wash it every other day and allow those oils to do their job. If you don't use a conditioner, it might help to try one. Your hair stylist might be able to offer more insight - or look up hair conditioning treatments you can do at home. My coworker did a vegetable oil treatment on hers and said it helped a lot, although I haven't looked it up so I can't offer much information on it.

I agree - hair is probably not our biggest concern, but I think it helps us to feel better if we feel like we look nice.

 

[Blackbird]

I have lost a most of my hair 3 times as a result of being very ill (crohn's-colitis). It does grow back darker and for me, it also grows back in very wavy, almost curly. I also found there was more grey. I don't look healthy with my hair dark so I colour it once I am healthy again. My hairdresser (who has clients with alopecia) recommended a serum as well which helped my hair grow back healthier. Also, any anemia can result in hair loss as well as your hair (and nails) being much less healthy. When my hair was really thinning, I used a variety of thickening products to give it some oomph and help me feel a bit better. When it was practically all gone, I wore scarves and hats until it grew in. Hair loss certainly isn't our biggest concern but it is difficult on our morale (especially women)