One morning Laura Aprati, a journalist at Rai, had an experience that shook her self-perception and her internal world. She looked in the mirror and saw an unrecognizable face: completely bald.
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He had no eyelashes, eyebrows, or hair. His life would never be the same from that day on. This dramatic physical change was due to alopecia areata totalis, a rare autoimmune disease that affects only 0,2% of the global population.
Alopecia: An Unexpected Drama
Despite seeking medical help, even the experts seemed confused about her condition. Laura was driven crazy trying to understand what was happening to her body and why, but she was getting no concrete answers. Her experience was vastly different from that of those undergoing chemotherapy, where hair loss is an expected side effect and one for which one is psychologically prepared. Laura, on the other hand, was completely unprepared.
Psychological Impact of Alopecia
The sudden loss of hair had a significantly profound impact on Laura's psyche, particularly in the context of her work environment. "Alopecia was the consequence of fibromyalgia, but baldness weighed on me more psychologically," she says. This change dramatically affected her social interaction and exacerbated her precarious job situation.
The investigation into the hidden wig market
In response to her condition, Laura decided to buy a wig, revealing the darkness of the hair market, a trade based on fragility and vulnerability. A suitable wig can cost over 2000 euros, requiring a double investment in maintenance. The lack of financial support from the National Health Service and the enormous expenses necessary to deal with her condition, pushed Laura to raise awareness of alopecia.
Laura's Fight Against Alopecia
Despite the challenges, Laura found comfort and help in doctor friends. Thanks to their support, she had the opportunity to access a new drug from the United States. This therapeutic journey with Professor Alfredo Rossi and his team yielded good results: Laura noticed a dramatic improvement and today her hair is growing back. This physical and therapeutic healing helped Laura regain a sense of inner balance.
Laura's Future
Laura is on the verge of taking her life back, stopping hiding behind her wig and raising awareness of alopecia. Her main goal now is to get the disease recognized by the NHS and to spread awareness that a cure exists. Her battle is far from over, but she is on the right track.
Article published on May 2, 2024 - 11:08 pm
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