A small bald patch, about 1.5 cm in diameter, developed at the back. A mild steroid topical treatment was prescribed. 

A noticeable amount of hair begins to fall out. The main patch grows to 3.0 cm within two weeks, and a few more patches appear. A stronger steroid topical treatment and oral corticosteroids were prescribed.

Hair loss progresses rapidly over 2-3 days, with more than a bucketful falling out daily. Shaved head as countless bald patches appear.

Diagnosed with Acute Alopecia Totalis and prescribed the highest-potency topical and oral corticosteroid treatments.

Side effects included severe insomnia, intense headaches, stomachaches, acne, and hand swelling.

Hospitalised for corticosteroid pulse therapy, receiving 500mg of IV prednisone for 3 days, followed by 20mg/day of oral corticosteroids.

Sleeping pills have become necessary.

Monthly doctor visits continue, with oral and topical corticosteroid treatments ongoing. Oral steroids are gradually reduced by 1mg per month starting in May to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Begin oral treatment for osteoporosis, as my risk of fractures has more than doubled.

Side effects include insomnia, severe headaches, acne, oral blood blisters, mood swings, swollen feet, sensitive teeth, and skin pigmentation changes.

Diagnosed with Alopecia Universalis: a few patches lost from my eyebrows and eyelashes, with further hair loss observed on my scalp.

A change in plan - stopped corticosteroid treatment and began topical immunotherapy at the end of August. Oral corticosteroids were rapidly reduced by 2-2.5mg/day each week.

Side effect: extremely severe headaches.

Spent a lot of time researching the efficacy of topical immunotherapy. Considering ending all treatments.

Begin Topical Immunotherapy with SADBE (2%).
Two weeks after sensitisation, start treatment at 10-7% and gradually increase the concentration to 10-5% over the next three weeks.

At 10-6%, a rash, redness, and intense itchiness develop all over the scalp, lasting for a couple of days. A small swelling in the lymph is also observed.

SADBE at 10-6% (and 0.5 less)
Restart on AIP diet - Elimination phase for 4 weeks

Continue SADBE treatment at 10-5%.

AIP diet - reintroduce foods at 5-day intervals:

1. Pepper/Cumin/Cardamom
2. Coffee
3. Edible peas
4. Nuts (walnut, hazelnut), Seeds (sesame), Cacao
5. Eggs

It's hard to determine if any allergic reactions have been observed.

Increase the concentration to 10-4%.

AIP diet - reintroduce foods at 5-day intervals:
6. Eggplant, Tomato, Potato, Chili, Paprika
7. Garbanzo
8. Soy
9. Rice (plus a few glasses of wine and accidentally a spoonful of milk)
10. Wheat
11. Dairy

It’s still difficult to determine if any allergic reactions have been observed.

AIP diet: After a week on a non-AIP diet, I noticed a sudden tingling sensation on my scalp. I switched back to a non-grains diet, which may have been triggered by gluten or rice.

SADBE at 10-3%, 0.3ml - same concentration as in February.

Hair continues to fall significantly for months, leading to a relapse with a 5mm bald spot.
SADBE treatment at 10-6%. 

Monthly SADBE treatment continues: 10-6% 1.0 to 10-1% 0.5.

Ended treatment due to leaving Japan  

Continue to experience hair loss and regrowth, with patches of varying sizes.

Olumiant was prescribed, but treatment was never initiated.

Hair continued to shed during the treatment (pulse and oral/topical medication), with minimal positive results and significant side effects.

• Severe insomnia (Mar-Apr)
• Stomachaches (Mar-Apr)
• Persistent, intense headaches all day, every day (Mar-Aug)
• Weakened immune system, leading to a higher risk of infection (Mar-Sep)
• Facial acne (Apr-Jul)
• Hypersensitive teeth (May-Aug)
• Oral blisters and bleeding (Jul-Aug)

Partial hair growth began in the second month and full recovery was achieved by spring 2021. The first few months were marked by constant itchiness and skin flakes on the scalp.

Severe reactions occurred at higher concentrations, including:

• Swelling in the lymph nodes
• Intense inflammation of the scalp (redness, itchiness, rash)
• Widespread rash and extreme itchiness across the body

Partial hair growth was noticed starting in the second month.

PROS

• Feels very healthy
• Once you get the hang of it, prepping isn't too difficult

CONS

• Maintaining a social life is tough, as most social activities involve food and drinks
• Adjusting to the lifestyle is extremely challenging
• Allowed foods can be pricey, like coconut powder, cassava flour, etc.
• Not suitable for vegetarians/vegans
• It’s hard to know when to transition from elimination to reintroduction phase; I didn’t notice any changes in symptoms
• It’s unclear how to identify reactions to certain foods - symptoms like sneezing or coughing could just be random reactions