Many consider alopecia to be a problem affecting adults. What people dont realise is that children also suffer from hair loss, whether it be small amounts of thinning hair or noticeable bald spots experiencing any form of loss is frightening.
It is important that children are treated properly when it comes to hair loss. A GP, paediatrician or paediatric dermatologist should be able to diagnose conditions from the following as causes of hair loss, and from diagnosis the appropriate treatments can be advised:
- Tinea capitis (ringworm) This is a common fungal infection in children, mostly characterised by scaly bald patches on the head, usually a round shape. As hairs are sometimes broken from the surface of the skin, black dots could appear on the scalp. Treatment for tinia capitis is typically oral as well as children being advised to use antifungal shampoo such as selenium sulphide to reduce the spread and shedding of fungus. Ringworm is contagious therefore children should ensure objects such as combs, pillows and hats are not shared.
- Alopecia areata this is a condition believed to be caused by the bodys immune system acting in a dysfunctional way and attacking hair follicles. Exemplified by a sudden emergence of rounded bald patches that are smooth and un-scaly, a quarter of children suffering from alopecia areata also have pitting nails. There is no cure for alopecia areata. For some children, hair grows back within the year, however some will continue on to experience alopecia totalis the loss of all head hair, with a few going on to develop alopecia universalis a total loss of body hair.
While some younger children are given strong ointments and creams to soothe the bald areas, teenagers are permitted to endure steroid injections on the scalp. However, neither of these treatments are 100% effective, and a common side effect of these remedies is eventually further hair loss.
- Trichotillomania this is self inflicted hair loss, characterised from the child twisting, plucking, rubbing or pulling their own hair. This is diagnosed from patchy areas of loss as well as broken hairs of different lengths. Trichotillomania could be a result of stress from a traumatic experience, which is why scolding children for pulling their own hair, is unlikely to resolve the issue. Speaking to children about their stressful experiences, or checking that everything is settled in their lives is more helpful.
- Telogen effluvium this is when sudden or severe stress (psychological or bodily, e.g. high fevers, surgery, death of a loved one, injury etc) causes hair follicles to stop growing normally and as a result, hair loss. Normally excessive hair shedding occurs up to three months after the stressful encounter, and although hair can almost completely disappear, Telogen effluvium is most of the time temporary, with hair eventually re-growing.
- Nutritional deficiency it is vital that children are eating a varied, healthy diet. Nutrients such as vitamin H and zinc are essential in healthy hair growth, and too much vitamin A is detrimental to hair growth. Doctors must always be consulted before children are given vitamin supplements, but once supplements are given, hair loss can be helped.
- Endocrine problems this is when underlying thyroid problems result in hair loss, as the metabolism is irregular and hormones levels are too low for healthy hair growth. Treatment for thyroid dysfunctions include medication, however a childs age, the extent of the problem, childs tolerance for medications and procedures and professional expectations of the disorder will effect how much, if any medication is prescribed.
Although hair loss in children is not as widely discussed as adult hair loss, it is just as traumatic. If you suspect that your child is suffering from hair loss, contact your GP or paediatrician immediately.