Causes Of Hair Loss In Children

Introduction

After endless searching around the internet for information on hair loss in children we came back to find that there is a big gap in information on this topic. We have therefore decided to include a wide range of information on childrens alopecia and how it can be treated.

Dealing With Alopecia In Children

When it comes to dealing with any problem with our children we worry no matter what the problem is, as we care for our children a great deal, more so than ourselves. But when a problem like hair loss in children arises it can be very traumatizing for the child and the parent as this is often seen as something that happens to older people and not to young children. Hair loss in children is actually not very common, however just over 1.5 million children do get diagnosed with one form of alopecia a year in the US alone. The good news with hair loss in children is that 70% generally tend to recover from it without any type of treatment at all. However, the other 30% will not, and will require some form of hair loss treatment some time in the future. Don't panic though there are many proven successful treatments out there that combat hair loss in children, and it is advised that as well as reading the information that we are going to give you that you go and see your doctor so he can fully diagnose what type of alopecia your child has got.

Why Hair Loss In Children Occurs

Tinea Capitis

There are many reasons why hair loss in children can occur, one of the main ones is an infection called Tinea Capitis. Tinea Capitis (also know as 'the ringworm of the scalp') is caused by a fungal infection of the skin on the scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes and it is a condition that is caused by a fungal infection of the hair shaft which causes the hair strands to split and break. It is usually passed around between children on things like pillows, hats, combs, brushes, and clothes etc. So if you are not sure whether another child is suffering from this type of fungal infection it is best to make sure that your child has no contact with the other childs head in anyway physically or through the items explained in the latter.

The syptoms of this type of hair loss are :

• Round patch of hair loss
• Black Dotted stubble appearance in the patch of the hair loss (caused by hair shafts being broken at the surface of the scalp)
• Itching/Scaling

Boys and girls between the ages of 3 to 10 are more inclined to suffer from this type of hair loss, boys are more than girls. Tinea Capitis may form a tender swelling of the scalp (known as a Kerion) in some cases. Bare in mind that Tinea Capitis is not dangerous and can be treated with simple anti fungal tablets (Griseofulvin) which are only available through prescription. There is also a shampoo known as Selenium Sulfide which is proven to slow the course of Tinea Capitis. When a child is taking the oral medication and using the shampoo they are generally not contagious and can return to school with no problems. Pay a visit to your doctor to see if your child has this type of fungal infection and get the required tablets to get it treated.

Treatment for this type of hair loss in children is usually by using an anti-fungal cream called griseofulvin which is taken by mouth for 8 weeks and can be purchased from your doctor. This is also usually taken with nizoral anti fungal shampoo which is used to wash the scalp 2-3 times a week. Both these medications should be taken for the full 8 weeks continuously to successfully treat the hair loss in your child.

Other Causes Of Hair Loss In Children

Alopecia Areata

There are many other reasons for hair loss in children as well however, such as from alopecia areata, which is a common form of patchy hair loss which occurs in children, and the child who suffers from this condition will typically lose hair in circular patches around the head, of which are sometimes up to two inches in diameter. You will also notice that the hair at the borders of these patches will generally be rather loose, but their scalp will tend to look normal. As well, you should know that this disease is not life-threatening, although it can be very terrifying to see in your child.

Alopecia areata is caused by the immune system which attacks the hair follicles in a child. One thing to also look out for ith alopecia areata is a ridging of the nails, as this is a common sympton which only affects 25% of children.

If you see that your child is beginning to suffer from hair loss, then the first thing that you are going to want to do is make sure that you get them in to see their doctor as soon as you possibly can, because you want to be able to figure out what the actual problem is.

Diagnosing is very hard with alopecia areata as it is usually done by a process of elimination of the other causes of hair loss.

There is no cure for this type of hair loss but there are treatments that have proven to help with existing hair loss. I say existing because these treatments do not prevent any new hair loss as alopecia areata is very unpredictable and can return after years of dorment hair loss. It is important that you speak with your doctor about possible hair loss treatments as there are many off the label products available.

Telogen Effluvium

This is not as common as some of the other types of hair loss but it is still a problem. Tellogen effluvium generally occurs when a child has recovered from flu, high fever, or severe emotional stress. The stress causes the hair on a childs head to convert to its resting phase. When the child is fully recovered, usually 1 to 4 months, the hair which converted to its resting phase sheds and the child is left with a thinning of the hair. There are never any patches that appear with tellogen effluvium, just the thinning.

Once the hair has shed the hair generally tends to grow back unless the initial cause is repeated however. Most parents are really worried when there child loses hair and they take them to the doctor thinking that they have something seriously wrong with them, but more often than not they are ok. The childs hair should enter its growth phase again within 6 months, so it is a legthy process. Visit our hair loss forum to ask any questions or discuss your child's hair loss with other parents.

Wereas childrens hair loss is generally down to infections or illness, adults hair loss is mainly down to stress and hormones. To read more on this click here: Stress and Hair Loss