Is your child losing hair excessively? Find out the leading causes for hair loss in children.
Similar to the pattern of adult hair growth, the hair for children too develops in a natural life cycle. A hair strand tends to grow actively for two to six years and then enters a resting (Telogen) phase. After about three months, this strand will fall out and will be replaced by the growth of a new one. While a minimum hair loss for your child is perfectly normal, if the youngster is losing excessive hair, it could be owing to an underlying health condition.\
Common health reasons for Hair Loss in Children
If suffering from this condition, your child will lose hair in oval or round-shaped patterns. Alopecia areata is a chronic condition that causes a sudden loss of hair to leave smooth, bald patches on the scalp. Caused by a weak immune system, it is actually a rare condition affecting only one in every 1,000 children. There is no cure for this but medical experts usually prescribe medicines to help promote new hair growth. This ringworm species causes scalp lesions as well as attacks the hair. Particularly affecting school children, Tinea capitis is a fungal infection and is the prime cause of childhood hair loss. In case you suspect your child is affected by this condition, it is best to turn to your general physician for confirmation. Anti-fungal medication including a special shampoo is generally prescribed, which has to be administered to the child for about eight weeks or so. A child’s hair growth cycle gets interrupted owing to this ailment. While only 10-15% of the child’s hair is in the resting phase (Telogen) at a given time, Telogen effluvium causes a higher percentage to be in this phase at a given time. This leads to periods of varying degrees of baldness. This condition can occur owing to many reasons such as excessive use of Vitamin A, stress from high fever, medicinal side effect or injury. It tends to disappear naturally within six months to a year. - Hair shaft trauma
Children often cause physical stress to hair leading to hair loss. This is known as hair shaft trauma and occurs as a result of consistently pulling at and pulling out hair as well as excessive friction that damage the hair follicles. Once the child stops twirling the hair, hair regrowth should commence. The youngster may also benefit from therapy, emotional support and medication. - Nutritional deficiency
Proper nutrition is vital for promoting good hair growth. When kids do not get enough vitamins, minerals and protein, they may suffer from hair loss. It can also be the result of eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia as well as the side-effect of an improper diet. A lack of essential nutrients like iron, zinc, niacin, biotin and amino acids can also be the culprit for lack of hair. Excessive Vitamin A can also be a cause. Therefore, a healthy eating plan throughout the day assumes critical importance. Seek medical advice Whatever be the cause, childhood hair loss is obviously worrying for parents. However, the order of the day is to seek expert medical advice as soon as possible. This can go a long way in providing your child with the necessary support in the times of distress. Obviously, it will be beneficial to save and promote growth of your child’s hair as well.
