Joanna Fortune: My granddaughter doesn't want anyone to know about her alopecia 

"Alopecia is an autoimmune condition and can also be caused by vitamin or mineral deficiencies. All the right steps are being taken - consulting with the GP and getting a referral to a consultant dermatologist."

"Sometimes, when a child says not to tell anyone, they want to control how often and with whom they need to talk about something they find challenging."

My daughter’s children are between four and nine years old. She had treatment for cancer last year and is doing well now. One of the girls has since developed alopecia on an area of her scalp. She is seeing her GP and is waiting for a dermatology consultation. My granddaughter doesn’t want anyone, including me, to know about it. How do we support her in managing her condition?

What a lot of stress you and your family have been through this last year. I am happy to read that your daughter is recovering well from her illness, but I am also aware that the stress and worry caused by a loved one being ill can linger long into recovery. Go gentle with yourself and each other while you all recover from a worrisome experience.