We all know that hair loss can occurr to both male and female teens and adults but have you heard of children suffering from hair loss?

I came across a few articles documenting the symptoms and causes of hair loss in children and thought I would talk a bit about them here. It must be such a terrifying experience for the parent especially since we really don’t expect children to lose their hair.

1. Tinea Capitis
A common cause of hair loss in children is Tinea Capitis or ringworm of the scalp. It is a disease caused by fungal infection of the skin of the scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes. The condition is caused by a fungus that invades the hair shaft and causes the hairs to break.

It is recognised by red circular lesions, hair loss, and a scaly border that may be itchy. The patch of hair loss is often round and the scalp takes on a black-dotted stubble appearance from hair shafts broken off at the surface.

Ringworm of the scalp is contagious and children suffering from this condition should not share combs, brushes, hats, pillows or bath towels with other.

2. Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is another common form of patchy hair loss in children. Typically, the child suddenly loses hair in circular patches sometimes up to two inches in diameter. The patches are usually smooth without any signs of inflammation, scaling, or broken hairs.

What causes this condition remains a mystery but fortunately, it is not known to be contagious. Over 80% children with alopecia areata grow new hair within 12 months and it is not life-threatening.

3. Traction Alopecia
Similar to Adult Traction Alopecia, this condition occurrs when kids mess around too much with their hair and start damaging their hair. Constant teasing, fluffing, combing, washing, curling, blow drying, hot combing, straightening and bleaching can put a strain on the fragile hairs, causing them to fall out, especially around the hairline and along the front and sides.

Styles that apply tension to the hair, such as tight ponytails, braiding, barrettes and permanent waving can also damage the hair and should be avoided.

Fortunately, the best treatment to this condition is simply be gentle to your hair. The hair will usually return, although regrowth might be slow.

4. Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania is the compulsion to pull out one’s own hair. It results in irregular patches of incomplete hair loss, mainly on the scalp, but may involve the eyebrows and eyelashes as well.

The cause of this condition many be related to stress, long term ongoing tension or other possible psychological or emotional deficiencies. The best treatment is to concentrate on why the child is anxious, upset, nervous or frustrated.

Related Links:

Share/Save/Bookmark

Sponsored Link Related Posts