Hair Loss Conditions In Children

It is common knowledge that most adults may obtain a certain degree of hair loss at any point in their lives; the reality is that everyone is susceptible to various conditions which may result in temporary or permanent hair loss, including children. Records show that at least three percent of all visitations to a pediatric ward are associated with children’s hair loss, so the condition is undoubtedly an issue to be reckoned with. Children’s hair loss is caused by at least four conditions, and fortunately, all of these are very treatable.

The most common cause is tinea capitis, also known as ringworm of the scalp. The condition involves a superficial infection from fungi, and it affects the scalp skin, the eyebrows, and the eyelashes; the fungi primarily attacks and infests the hair’s shaft and follicle. It can be effectively dealt with through an antifungal medication like griseofulvin (for oral administration); with continued use, the infestation is eliminated in about eight weeks.

Alopecia areata is indicated by an unexpected appearance of rounded, bald patches on the scalp. The area may be slick or smooth, and without any symptoms of swelling, scaling, or stunted hair strands. These may appear practically overnight, or the patch may gradually develop over several days. This is allegedly the result of the body’s immune system targeting the hair follicles. The condition is quite unpredictable, as it can develop or regress without indication; the condition is as yet not fully understood, and there is no approved drug for curing it. Your child’s doctor is the best resource for any treatment alternatives.

Hair loss in children can also be the result of trauma to the hair’s shaft. This is often due to traction (through consistent wearing of tightly-knit braids or pony tails), or to friction (by continuous rubbing with any foreign object, such as a brush). The loss may also be caused by a psychological condition known as trichotillomania, or the compulsive habit of fidgeting with the hair by twirling or plucking it. Deep-seated conditions are more difficult to treat, and the hair loss resulting from it comes in patches, with broken strands of varying lengths. As long as no traumatic scarring is involved, the strands usually regrow when the habit is thoroughly dealt with.

Telogen effluvium is caused by a disruption in the hair strands’ normal life cycle. Hair usually undergoes four cycles; after the final (telogen) phase, the hair follicles usually restart the cycle for growth by forcing out the old shafts in place of fresh ones. With telogen effluvium, this cycle is interrupted, and most or all of the follicles remain at the telogen phase. Baldness is visible within six to sixteen weeks. A lot of causes can be attributed to this interruption, including severe fevers, an excessive intake of vitamin A, extreme emotional stress, injuries, and prescription medications such as accutane (for pimples), among others. Recovery from the condition entails treatment methods as varied as the causes, but for stress-induced hair loss, the scalp recovers all of the lost hair at least six months after the emotional stress is overcome.