Hair loss is a common problem that is faced not only by adults, but by children too. As per statistics, about 3% of the child population suffers from hair loss or alopecia. The problem needs to be addressed without loss of time, or else it could result in balding. The right diagnosis along with the appropriate treatment will help in treating the problem successfully.
Causes and Treatment for Hair loss in Children
Some of the causes for the loss of hair in children are Tinea capitis or fungal infection, Alopecia areata, trichotillomania, and Telogen effluvium. Lack of proper nutrition could be another reason for hair loss. We will look at each of these:
- Tinea Capitis: Tinea capitis or fungal infection of the scalp can cause hair loss. It is a form of ringworm that leads to scaly patches on the scalp. It is round in shape and resembles ringworms. The doctor will suggest a pathological test to confirm if your child is suffering from this condition. Once the tests are confirmed, the doctor will prescribe medicines and anti-fungal shampoo.The shampoo will help in reducing the fungal infection and curb its further spread. There are chances of the spread of infection; hence it is advised that the child refrains from sharing his books, playthings, or clothes.
- Alopecia Areata: This condition is non-contagious in nature. There are round or oval patches that appear on the scalp. The hair follicles are damaged in this condition and there is hair loss. There is no specific form of treatment to prevent it completely, but with the right medicines, it is surely possible to curb the progress of this condition. In some cases, the child can lose body hair completely. The doctors generally prescribe corticosteroid medicines and ointments. The ointment or gel is applied on the bald area. Doctors may also advise injections to be taken directly on the scalp. In addition to the steroid treatment, minoxidil may also be prescribed. An application of anthralin may also be advised to get back the hair growth, which usually takes about two months.
- Trichotillomania: In this condition, the loss of hair is mainly due to plucking, pulling, rubbing, or twisting the hair. Patches can be seen on the scalp and the causes for these are more psychological in nature. Children who suffer from stress and depression have greater chances of acquiring this condition. The right kind of counseling and treatment helps the child come out of the stressful situation.
- Telogen Effluvium: When the child suffers from severe stress or stressful situations like loss of parent, grandparent, severe injury, there is hair loss. The depressing situation causes mental stress on the child. High fever and surgery may also be other reasons for hair loss. The changes may lead to either partial baldness or complete baldness. There are no specific tests to diagnose this condition. Once the child comes out of the stressful situation, the hair growth will return to normal, and this generally takes around a year or so.
- Nutritional Deficiency: This could be another reason for hair loss in children. Infants who suffer from nutritional deficiency have a greater chance of losing hair. Deficiency of biotin or Vitamin H may result in hair loss and deficiency of zinc may result in hair loss and cellular metabolism too. Excessive intake of vitamin A may also be one of the causes of hair loss in children.
- Hypothyroidism: Children who suffer from hypothyroidism may also suffer from hair loss. When the thyroid glands are not active, it could result in irregular metabolic activities. A blood test can be carried out in order to diagnose the problem or condition. The right medication helps in addressing the disorder. The treatment also depends on various factors like medical history, age of the child, general health, and so on.
Other Causes of Hair Loss
There are other causes that can result in hair loss:
- Generally, newborn babies lose hair initially.
- Too much of brushing the hair or pulling the hair strands may cause hair breakage.
There are many treatment options as shown above for countering the effects of hair loss in children. You need not panic if you note the same in your child, as the loss of hair in most cases will be temporary.
