Hair Loss In Children

“Hair today gone tomorrow”, is what you feel when you see little children having no hair on their scalps.. Contrary to popular conception hair loss, is not concentrated just to adults and old age, but can also strike children. Though, it is not a common thing among children, the number is increasing day by day. This condition continues even during their adolescent years, sometimes resulting in permanent hair loss. Luckily a large percentage of children outgrow this hair loss condition. However, a small percentage of children, have to deal with the problem throughout their adult life. The hair loss occurs in children due to various reasons. The causes can be a traumatic incident, genetic condition, fungal infections, poor hygiene, medications, or some serious illnesses. For some forms of hair loss, a turn around or complete return of hair happens, but it can take a very long time. If your child is suffering from this condition of hair loss, read below for the causes and treatments that can help you.

 

Trichotillomania
This condition in children is characterized by partial loss of hair. This can affect the eyebrows, and the scalp. The hair loss is irregularly spread over the skin. There is a constant urge among the kids to pull their own hair before going to sleep or while watching television. This habit is typically an outcome of the fear psychosis. When the condition gets complicated, the child eats the hair causing digestive complications. This habit is also known as trichophagy. However, the condition improves once the child stops the habit of pulling hair. 

Tinea Capitis
This is a major cause of hair loss among kids. This complication is caused by fungal infection of the scalp, and is a contagious disease. It is also known as ringworm of scalp, and appears as a bare patch of skin on the head. A lot of kids suffer from this type of hair loss because of the damage done to the follicles of the hair. There is a lot of itching, and scaling in the scalp. However, this hair loss condition is curable. 

Alopecia Areata
This condition causes oval or round patches of baldness on the scalp. This condition appears suddenly. The skin exposed is smooth, and the strands near the bald patch may be swollen at the base. Children suffering from this condition also experience ridged or pitted nails. There is no dependable treatment but this condition clears up on its own in about an year. 

Telogen Effluvium 
It is a temporary hair loss caused by trauma, emotional distress, or shock. Sometimes very high fever can be the cause of hair loss among children. At times it can be triggered by some medicines including chemotherapy, too much of vitamin A, crash diets, surgery or bad injuries. This condition affects the efficiency of follicles to regenerate hair. This results in permanent hair loss.  

Traction Alopecia
When parents have a negligent and careless approach towards the hygiene of hair of their child it can be a cause of this type of hair loss. This condition can also happen due to physical damage to the hair. It can result from hair bands, hats, ponytails, rubbing against a hard surface. 

There are three main types of hair loss for which treatment is available. 

Tinea Capitis
An anti-fungal oral and topical treatment is recommended. Visit your physician for medical prescription of oral drugs. There are topical anti-fungal creams available to treat this condition. You might have to get the child a close haircut or a complete shave. Using sulfide based shampoos are helpful in treating this condition. Oral medication and washing the hair with medicated shampoo, once in a week can help the child recover fast. 

Telogen Effluvium
Topical steroids are used for this condition of hair fall among children. Some children respond to it while others do not. Consult a medical expert for prescriptions. There are some side effects of topical steroids like mild irritation of the scalp, so, medical supervision is required for proper treatment. 

Alopecia Areata
This treatment should also be adopted after medical consultation, as the treatment requires cortisone injections in the hair follicles. Sometimes, hair loss can be psychologically disturbing for a child. Hence, a dermatologist tries different medications and treatments to stimulate hair growth.