And, they’ve kept falling out since.

Diagnosed with alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss, it’s a condition that affects one in 50 people – and Kahliah is looking for a support system in Tamworth.

“I was scared but not worried because mum was telling me that we could get heaps of headbands and things for my hair,” she said.

“I worry a bit less about it but I think if I found someone with it I could help them and they could help me.”

New hair eventually grows back, but it can take months – it’s not life-threatening but cosmetic affects can be significant and the episodes are usually repeated.

Kahliah’s mother Natasha Melder first thought the hair loss was the result of a fall where her daughter hit her head.

Once doctor’s confirmed the condition she began to search for support groups in Tamworth to no avail.

“There’s a couple of Facebook pages but they’re more Australia wide, not in Tamworth – I don’t really know anyone in Tamworth, it’s pretty new to us to be honest,” she said.

“I think she just wants someone to talk to that understands.”

The first patch was the size of a ten cent piece, but over the next four days the hair loss became more significant.

Linked with autoimmune diseases, Kahliah has to undergo more tests to see if there’s any other conditions affecting her body.

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Every day she has to apply steroid creams to her patches, if that is unsuccessful in promoting hair growth she may have to have steroid injections in her scalp.

Already Kahliah has big plans for if more of her hair falls out.

“She already wants to shave her hair and stick diamontes on there,” Ms Melder said.

“She wants a rave shave, she’s got all these ideas but it just worries me how it affects her.

“She wants a wig colour for every family member.”

Anyone with alopecia can contact Natasha Melder on Facebook.

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