Love Island star’s health battle sees doctors share alopecia signs to look for

Kaz Crossley, a reality star, will join Gabby Allen, Curtis Pritchard, and other well-known faces for this year’s Love Island All Stars. The 29-year-old was thrown into the spotlight in 2018, after ranking third with then-partner Josh Denzel.

But life hasn’t always been easy for the London-born star. She’s previously been open about having an “unpredictable” health issue that once left her “drained of sadness.”

Alopecia, an umbrella term used to describe sudden hair loss on the scalp, body, or face, is a health issue of this nature. In 2023, Kaz hinted that stress is the main trigger for her alopecia, though it can also be influenced by injuries, illness and environmental factors.

She said in a later Instagram post that she “always became consumed with sadness” and “made it worse in my head.” “… No one talks about how difficult it is to deal with feeling “better,” having PTSD, and feeling anxious that something bad will happen, even if my mental health is now better.

” It’s a s*** feeling not feeling like the person you were before. Being aware that you never want to feel like that again and that every effort you make to stay happy and upbeat is s***.

Speaking directly to her fans, Kaz added:” It may get worse before it gets better. Alopecia is so unpredictable you can’t even keep track, don’t stress yourself measuring your patch everyday. I felt much more rested after putting an end to my physical therapy after taking pictures and measuring.

In light of Kaz’s experience, the Mirror asked two doctors to shed light on the main symptoms and treatments of alopecia. One of them is Dr. Gareth Nye, a lecturer in biomedical science at the University of Salford, who identifies two different alopecia types.

He explained that “alopecia is a general term for any condition that causes hair loss, including hair loss caused by chemotherapy, such as natural baldness in men and women.” Alopecia areata, a condition known as pathological alopecia, causes the body to begin to attack its own tissue, particularly the hair cells.

Once this process has begun, it is unlikely to be reversed because the body stops destroying the hair cells and prevents them from growing back. It has a wide range of severity levels and has a wide range of effects on body hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, and scalp.

According to Dr. Nye, about 50% of patients who lose small patches of hair will regrowth within the same year. However, “less than 10% of cases” of people who experience total hair loss recover.

Dr Lawrence Cunningham, a retired GP at Help &amp, Advice, also told the Mirror: “In my experience, it can be quite distressing for those affected, as it often leads to patchy hair loss on the scalp or other parts of the body. The causes of alopecia can vary, including genetic factors, autoimmune disorders, and environmental triggers.

I’ve seen instances where unpredictably high stress levels have increased hair loss, underscoring the value of stress management. Lifestyle modifications can have a significant impact on this area, in my opinion.

Thankfully, there are various treatments available to help individuals suffering from alopecia, including medical injections and natural remedies. Dr Cunningham continued:” There are several treatments available, ranging from corticosteroids to topical immunotherapy.

“I’ve heard that natural remedies like essential oils and dietary supplements can also support you, but I always advise talking about these options with your doctor.” It’s important to tailor treatments to the individual’s specific type of alopecia and overall health.

It is crucial to combine physical therapy and emotional well-being. Support organizations and professional counseling can be very helpful for people who struggle with hair loss-related self-esteem issues.

Despite this, Dr Nye also stressed that no therapies ‘ work 100% of the time’, so it’s crucial to explore your options. He added:” Triamcinoline injections are used to some success with 50% hair regrowth in 80% of patients. It has been demonstrated that anti-inflammatory and steroid medications have little effect on preventing additional hair loss.

Although hair transplants are frequently sought as a treatment for this condition, the immune system will continue to harm the underlying hair follicles after the transplant.

For further information on alopecia, visit the NHS website.

Source: Mirror