MY NAME IS Chloe, and I have Alopecia Areata – Ophiasis to be specific. My version, ophiasis, is a particularly insidious form of alopecia, in that it does not present as hair loss in small, round patches, like regular areata, but rather tends to create large, band-like patterns around the back and sides of your head.

It forms a band on the scalp (occipitotemporal scalp) and is an autoimmune disorder that mainly affects young people and is more common in children than young adults.

So there’s no ignoring this alopecia; it shows up fast and tells you it’s in charge.

Chloe Dinneen Nic pics photography Nic pics photography

Alopecia launched into my life in 2017. As someone living with it now for several years, I was overwhelmed watching the newly crowned Rose of Tralee this week, as she discussed her alopecia openly. 

Westmeath Rose, Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh was presented with her sash last night after winning the competition, but it was the night before when she captured the hearts of the crowd and viewers by using her slot and talent segment on stage to illustrate her favourite wigs.

Caoilfhinn did it in an attempt to raise awareness about alopecia, and it worked. It was a hugely brave thing to do, and watching her speak so well brought up so much emotion for me and a sense of recognition and acceptance of people like myself.  https://x.com/RoseofTralee_/status/2089443060849479846

There has been a lot of stigma around alopecia over the years, and I know of many women in particular of our parents’ generation who would have worked hard for years to quietly live with wigs, but never saying anything.

The approach was to hide the condition; such was the embarrassment and shame. But it’s heartening now that with social media and people like Caoilfhinn being so publicly open, things are changing. That stigma is being erased. 

The horror of losing your hair

I’m 33 and am three years married to Declan. We have two kids, Kate, aged two and Robbie, aged seven months. I’ve always been active, and before February 2017, I never had any great........

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