Woman Left Bald After Work Stress Triggered Incurable Alopecia
A young woman is urging workers to prioritize their health after workplace stress caused her hair to fall out in large clumps, eventually forcing her to shave her head.
Hair Loss Begins
Lauren Johnson, 23, a trainee veterinary nurse from Newcastle, first noticed her hair shedding in May 2025. Initially, she dismissed it as hormonal changes, seeing hairs scattered on her pillow each morning.
Symptoms Worsen During Holiday
Two months later, while on a girls' holiday in Spain, her best friend Holly Probert-Darkings, 26, spotted a significant bald patch at the nape of Lauren's neck.
"I had my wet hair up in a claw clip and Holly asked me if I had accidentally razored the back of my hair in the shower," Lauren recalled. "The back part of my head, where the hair is supposed to meet the back of my neck was completely gone. But I had no other symptoms at the time or beforehand."
Lauren added she had noticed increased hair shedding on her pillow before the trip but assumed it was normal or due to a heavy period.
Mental Health Impact
Realizing her hair was falling out in clumps triggered a severe emotional reaction. Lauren suffered a "full blown breakdown and anxiety attack." She then video-called her mother, Margaret, 58, a former hairdresser, seeking reassurance.
"She was my rock during this terrifying time," Lauren said of her mother.
Lauren’s Call to Action
Lauren now encourages workers to advocate for their health and to take workplace stress seriously, highlighting how stress can lead to devastating physical consequences.
Author’s summary: Workplace stress can have devastating physical effects, as shown by Lauren’s experience with alopecia; her story highlights the importance of health advocacy and mental well-being.