Hagendorn22.09.2014

Due to an auto-immune disease, Eloy Kauer has no hair

Eloy Kauer became seven years old on September 8, and was one of the many children starting primary school in Hagendorn in August. He likes judo, football, Anakin Skywalker and General Grievous, and builds Star Wars spaceships from Lego. He’s a typical little boy with a friendly laugh. Just one thing sets him apart from other children, however: he has no hair on his head. His eyebrows are also missing, and he has only one set of eye lashes. When the son of Jacqueline and Daniel Kauer was four years old, he was diagnosed with alopecia areata universalis - patchy hair loss all over the body.
 
Since then, people often stare when they see Eloy on the street - and it is good job that the seven-year-old has a winning smile. "If someone looks at me in a strange way, I just smile back," says Eloy, "Then they either look away or smile back." Eloy's father Daniel says: "I would stare, this is quite normal. Over time, however, people approach us and ask what happened. I like that - asking is better than whispering" Of course, many of them think that Eloy has had chemotherapy and is very ill. "So it's good to know that our son is healthy and that the hair loss, although very striking, is no danger to life."
 
Eloy sits in the garden together with father Daniel, mother Jacqueline, sister Jamina and puppy, and talk about his sudden illness, the uncertainty, the fears. That Eloy’s missing hair actually affects them all. "The whole family is involved when we take a trip," says Daniel Kauer. Even nine-year-old Jamina must be able to handle the situation. There were a few stupid remarks in the first week of school, but everything soon settled down. Thanks also to the teachers, who thematized Eloy's disease. And Eloy can also count on his friends: Jacqueline Kauer is happy that her son "went to school without his cap: he felt comfortable" as early as the afternoon of the first day at school.
 
Eloy is also not wearing a cap today – he is a cheerful person, like his parents - two graphic designers who have already published three picture books. The fourth book, "Samus’ pride and joy", will go onto the market on Monday. It tells of a hedgehog that loses its spines. Eloy has a special liking for hedgehogs, and the book is dedicated to him. And it should also encourage people who are a bit different. "Each of us is indeed a bit different," says Jacqueline Kauer. Since Eloy’s hair loss, the 39-year-old has become more aware that most people have some kind of problem - the boy's disease is the door opener for many to talk about themselves.
 
In order to communicate with others and give advice, the Kauers started their own website two weeks ago, together with Tanja Locher, an adult sufferer from alopecia areata. You’ll find Eloy’s whole story on www.alopecia.ch, as well as information about alopecia areata, which is still poorly understood, and the site also gives cosmetic tips. Jacqueline and Daniel Kauer point out that they felt very alone at the beginning, because many doctors still do not know enough about the disease. An iron and vitamin deficiency was initially suspected, but the Kauers researched on the Internet, where they found the alopecia areata universalis diagnosis , which was then confirmed by a specialist.
 
"No one yet knows the exact causes of this disease. It’s assumed that the immune system acts against the cells in the hair follicles of your own body. What can you do about it? Not much. The Kauers tell of night-long searches on almost every subject. "We tested our house for electrical and water courses, tried ointments and bandages, gave vitamins, changed his diet." They now live more healthily and know more. They have accepted Eloy's disease, but still look for an answer. In late October, the family will attend a meeting of the Alopecia Areata Germany association in Constance. And they are happy that their little son "can then one of many and be just one of the crowd."
 
And Eloy himself? He thinks it’s good to know what is wrong with him - namely, nothing bad. Before the visit from the newspaper, he said the following to his mum: "Mama, you have to say that it is not contagious”.