Hair loss in children is not very common. It’s almost always a sign of a skin problem, an underlying health condition, or psychological and emotional stress. There are many types of hair loss some children can undergo, and each type can be approached differently in terms of treatment.

Tinea Capitis – This is more commonly known as ringworm of the scalp. This is the most common cause of hair loss in children. It is characterized by patches of bald hair which are sometimes circular, oval, or irregularly shaped. Sometimes you can see that the hair is broken just above the surface of the scalp, leaving tiny black dots in its place. Some flakes or scales can also form on the scalp. To find out if a child is suffering from Tinea Capitis, the scales or flakes can be scraped off from the scalp and sent to a lab to be examined if it contains fungus. Tinea Capitis is usually treated by griseofulvin for at least eight weeks. There are also some medicated shampoos that can be taken regularly until the fungus is removed from the scalp. This kind of infection is generally not contagious, and children infected by it are not required to leave school until they are better.

Alopecia Areata – This condition is characterized by the formation of patches of hair loss. These patches are typically smooth and without any signs of infection such as inflammation, redness, itchiness, of flaking. Alopecia Areata may develop quickly, over a few days, and sometimes even overnight. This is thought to be caused by the immune system attacking the hair follicles in the affected area. This kind of condition is relatively rare for children, and an even smaller percentage of children with Alopecia Areata suffer from Alopecia Totalis or complete baldness. This complete baldness affects not just the hair on the head but on all parts of the body. There is still much that is not yet understood about Alopecia Areata. Even now, there is no FDA approved medicine that will treat the condition. There are, however, some natural supplements like Provillus that can encourage the follicles of the hair to become active again. Before trying any treatment, it’s best to consult your physician first.

Traction Alopecia – This happens when a child’s hair is often pulled back into a tight hair style like pigtails or cornrows. This puts trauma on the hair follicles, causing them to stop growing hair. Traction Alopecia may also be developed when the scalp frequently rubs against surfaces like beds or walls. A type of traction alopecia is Trichotillomania wherein the trauma on the scalp is caused by the child’s compulsive pulling of the hairs from the roots. Some children who develop Trichotillomania may also swallow the hair that they remove from their head, leading to Trichophagy and masses of hair inside the stomach. Treatment for this condition must be handled by qualified professionals.

Telogen Effluvium – This is also a common cause of hair loss in children. This happens when a child goes through a physically or emotionally traumatic event and is considered a temporary hair loss problem. Ideally, once the traumatic event is over, the hair should grow back. It’s best to consult a doctor if this doesn’t happen.

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Filed under: Coping with Hair Loss

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