This sounds like a complex of pathologies. Initially the hair follicles have been traumatised which resulted in inflammation. The hair follicles are very sensitive to the body's inflammatory reactions, so therefore often "die" or stop producing hair by going in to a static phase. The fact that all her hair and eye brows have fallen out mean that the initial trauma has developed into alopecia totalis as made popular by Gail Porter. This later condition is caused by a persistently raised level of TH2 immune cells which create a chronic destructive inflammation reaction at specific sites within the body, i.e. the hair follicle. She should try Moducare a nutritional supplement which taken daily can normalise immune function. Normalising the immune function can reduce the inflammation response and take the hair follicle out of the static phase. Initially the hair may grow back thin and wispy, but after several months normal hair my start developing.

Marc Borson, Manchester, UK

My daughter just donated 12 inches of her hair for a prostetic wig for an organisation that donates wigs to underprivelaged kids with hair loss from alopecia. Its called Locks of Love and the emal address is locksoflove.org.
And if you nasty people don't have anything good to say about a little kid who lost her hair due to braids or disease then just go waste your time looking in the mirror at yourself and not commenting on others. Maybe you can find something to change!
Jodie and your family we hope Locks of Love can help you. Sincerely, a mom and her child.

Dani DeGennaro, New Haven CT, usa

A wig???? NO!! Teach your child to be bald and proud!!! Give her posters of Sinead O'Conner and Michael Rosenbaum from Smallville! And get her a beanie if she still feels shy.

Chromo Domo, Londonium, UK

' Locks of Love' will provide a wig free of charge if you cannot afford one. They take donated hair from children so that the texture is a good match. My daughter is growing her hair to donate it when it is long enough. Get in touch with them.

RT, Lonton,

The girl looks better without her hair than she did with those ridiculous braids.

Joe Paulk, Tulsa, Oklahoma

This is not likely to have been caused by the braids - traction alopecia would not affect her eyebrows and eyelashes. There are many different types of alopecia, which is why it's important that it is diagnosed and treated by a dermatologist, rather than any other medical professional or beautician, as they are the experts. Dermatologists - who you can be referred to via the NHS - can prescibe proper treatments, unlike many other 'therapists' who charge hundreds of pounds for ointments that are little better than snake oil...

Nina, London, UK

Poor child! I'm sorry to hear of her trouble...

but...

her mother "is now trying to get a wig for Jodie but has been refused NHS funding"--?

You've got the money to go to Greece on holiday and pay L30 for the braids, .... but you can't scrape together enough money to get your daughter a wig? Oh please. At this point, Ms Smalley, YOU are the problem. Buy the girl a wig! NOW!

j. caffey, Hillandale, USA