Seven-year-old boy diagnosed with alopecia after initial hair loss in December

A seven-year-old boy from the UK was diagnosed with alopecia in December 2023 after his mother noticed a smooth, bald patch on the back of his head. At first, she thought Leo Osborne had been pulling out his own hair. His condition has since become more severe, and he has lost his eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair.

The family tried to get specialist treatment through the NHS, but their first referral to Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust was turned down with no explanation given. They have since submitted a second referral request.

Unable to wait, the family raised over £1,000 through a GoFundMe campaign and booked a private appointment at a clinic in London. Leo's mother is also calling for better education about alopecia in schools to protect children like Leo from bullying.