What Are The Main Causes Of Hair Loss In Children?

Seeing your child losing hair can be distressing. So, what are the causes of childhood alopecia or hair loss in children? This post is for you if you are having trouble determining the cause. Many studies have proven that there is a link between hair and self-image, psychosocial functioning, emotional well-being, and quality of life (1), (2). Hair loss in children, especially when it occurs at a young age, can have a profound psychological impact. Let us first examine the causes of hair loss in youngsters so that we may talk to them about developing confidence from within and find an acceptable solution to the situation. Keep reading!

A recent survey with 1662 participants was conducted with the aim to study the incidence of alopecia and how health-related factors played a significant role in it. The result found 37.4% more alopecia to be in individuals with a fatty scalp and also noted its negative effect on the quality of life of the students.

Causes Of Hair Loss In Children

Various factors can cause hair loss in children. Some factors can be addressed without any medical intervention, while some require immediate attention from a physician. The types of hair loss in children are categorized into two groups:

1. Non-medical causes
2. Medical causes

1. Non-Medical Causes Of Hair Loss In Children

Newborn hair loss, friction, use of chemicals, blow drying, and tight hairstyles are some of the common non-medical causes of hair loss in children.

(a) Newborn Hair Loss: Some newborn babies lose hair during the first six months of their birth to make way for new hair growth. This is absolutely normal and nothing to be alarmed about.

(b) Friction: Rubbing their head against rough surfaces, such as mattresses, carpets, and floors, can cause children to lose hair. Once they get rid of this behavior, their hair will start to regrow.

(c) Use Of Chemicals: The use of harsh chemicals for hairstyling processes, such as bleaching, dyeing, perming, or straightening, on children will damage their hair and cause it to fall out (3). Either avoid these processes altogether or switch to chemical-free and natural products.

(d) Blow Drying: Exposing your child’s hair to excess heat while blow drying, perming, or straightening it will cause their hair to fall out due to heat damage. Instead, you can blow dry their hair on the lowest heat setting and restrict the frequency of other heat styling processes.

(e) Tight Hairstyles: Pulling your child’s hair back with a comb or a hairbrush to tie it in tight ponytails, buns, or braids will harm the hair follicles, cause physical trauma to the scalp, and result in hair loss. You need to be gentle while detangling the hair and tie it in loose hairstyles to prevent hair loss.

2. Medical Causes Of Hair Loss In Children

There is a difference between hair shedding and hair loss. Infections, diseases, or deficiencies, such as tinea capitis, alopecia areata, trichotillomania, telogen effluvium, hypothyroidism, and nutritional deficiencies, are some of the most common medical causes of hair loss in children (4).

(a) Tinea Capitis: Tinea capitis, also known as the ringworm of the scalp, is a scalp infection caused by fungi called dermatophytes. Overcrowding and poor hygiene can aggravate the infection as it spreads easily through physical contact and sharing of combs and other objects of personal hygiene. Patchy hair loss, black spots in the areas of hair loss, itching, redness, bumps on the scalp, brittle hair, swollen lymph glands, and low-grade fever are the symptoms of tinea capitis (5).

Dermatologists diagnose this infection withKOH microscopyⁱ  A quick test on specimens of scrapings of skin to diagnose the presence of yeast or fungal infections. and Wood’s lamp examination (6). In simple terms, the physician examines your child’s scalp and sends a piece of the infected skin to a lab for diagnosis.

The affected child needs to take the prescribed antifungal drug for about eight weeks. Along with oral medication, using an antifungal shampoo prevents the spread of this infection.

(b) Alopecia: Alopecia areata is anautoimmuneⁱ  A condition in which the body attacks healthy cells as the immune system cannot differentiate between healthy cells and foreign cells. disease in which the immune system harms the cells in the hair follicles and causes the hair to fall out in patches (8). It can be genetic. Detecting the early signs of alopecia can help you find the right treatment. Depending on the pattern of hair loss, alopecia is classified into three types::

1. Alopecia areata – The hair on some parts of the scalp falls out, forming bald patches on the head.
2. Alopecia totalis – All the hair on the scalp falls out Eyebrows and Eyelashes may fall out.
3. Alopecia universalis – All the hair on the entire body falls out.

After examining the medical history of the child for cutaneous and systemic autoimmune disorders, physicians diagnose this disease by taking some hair from the child’s scalp and sending it for examination to a lab (9).

There is no cure for alopecia areata caused by immune system disorders. However, treatments involving the use of certain drugs, such as anthralin and minoxidil, or corticosteroid creams can suppress the symptoms , but does not help in the regrowth of hair (8), (9). These therapies may cause side effects. For those individuals wanting a more natural course of treatment may choose to use essential oils. With the right kind of treatment, children can regrow their hair within a year.

Sheridan Ruth, a blogger, recounted her struggle with alopecia as a child. In her blog, she writes, “One day I felt the hairdresser’s cold fingers against my scalp. It felt barer and more exposed than normal…. I had a bald patch about the size of a 50-cent piece.” She continues to highlight the difficulty of dealing with the reality of losing her hair, “Losing my hair as a child and the treatments that came along with it were sad and confusing. Confusing because the bright-eyed innocent part of me thought, well it’s okay, it’s just hair. It doesn’t matter. But I felt the impact of people asking questions and everyone around me trying to fix it, and part of me became ashamed of what my body was doing (i).”

(c) Trichotillomania: Trichotillomania is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder characterized by an individual pulling out their hair out of a sense of compulsion. They do it on purpose, and some may even eat the hair they pull out. Patchy hair loss and broken hairs of varying lengths are some effects of trichotillomania (11). The hair can grow back once the child stops pulling it out.

Physicians usually diagnose this condition using a dermoscope. The process is called dermoscopyⁱ  A noninvasive technique used for examination of the skin’s surface with an instrument consisting of a magnifying lens. .

The hair usually grows back once the child stops pulling it out. Besides consulting a dermatologist, you need to consult a psychologist as well. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) aids in teaching your child to be more aware of pulling their hair and helps them understand the emotions that trigger such behavior, eventually prompting them to stop it (11).

(d) Telogen Effluvium: Telogen is the resting phase in a normal hair growth cycle. In this phase, the hair stops growing and rests so that the old hairs fall out and make way for new ones. Telogen effluvium is a condition in which the hair is pushed into the telogen phase (or the resting phase) prematurely, resulting in temporary hair loss. It can happen due to a stressful, shocking, or traumatic event. Children with this condition lose 300 hairs a day, unlike the average 100 hairs a day (12).

Microscopic examination of the shed hair, CBC, serum iron, serum zinc, low vitamin D and thyroid function tests are some of the ways to diagnose this condition.

This condition does not require any medical treatment in particular. Once the child is out of the stress or trauma, the hair grows back. It may take around six months to a year for the hair to grow back.

(e) Hypothyroidism: The thyroid gland in the neck releases two main hormones, T3 and T4, to control the body’s metabolism. Thyroid disorders or inefficiencies in the production of these hormones, i.e., an underproduction or overproduction, affects the body’s metabolism (13). The underproduction of thyroid hormones results in a condition called hypothyroidism. Fatigue, weight gain, joint and muscle pain, constipation, dry skin, and thin and brittle hair are some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism.

The thyroid function test can help diagnose this condition.

It can be treated by oral medication and intake of iodine along with nutritious foods. Once your child starts the treatment, the hair fall stops gradually. It may take a few months for the hair to regrow.

(f) Nutritional Deficiencies: Poor eating habits, resulting in the deficiency of vitamins, minerals, and protein, can cause your child’s hair to fall out (4). Psychological eating disorders, like anorexiaⁱ  An eating and psychological disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, causing unhealthy and low body weight. and bulimiaⁱ  A psychological eating disorder that causes uncontrolled episodes of binge-eating followed by purging and fasting. , can also cause hair loss. Surplus of vitamin A or deficiency of iron or vitamin D  zinc, niacin, biotin, protein, or amino acids also leads to hair loss (14).

Blood tests, urine tests, and other medical tests help in the diagnosis of nutrient deficiencies.

A healthy diet plan and nutritional supplements can assist in correcting the deficiencies, thereby aiding the regrowth of your child’s hair.

(g) Chemotherapy: If your child is undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, both of which are strong treatments to fight off cancer, they run the risk of losing their hair (15). This is because chemotherapy stops the quick division of cells (including the cells in hair follicles) to prevent the spread of cancer (5). However, hair fall stops, and the hair regrows once your child is done with the treatment.

Other medical causes of hair loss in your child may include allergies, lupus, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and sickle cell anemia (4).

It’s important to recognize the difference between medical and non-medical causes of hair loss in children, as this helps parents choose the right course of action. Some causes, like stress or diet, may improve on their own, while others, such as infections or underlying conditions, need medical treatment for proper care.

Now, let’s explore just how common this condition is among babies and children in the section below.

How Common is Hair Loss In Babies And Children?

Hair loss is common in children, just like in adults. However, the causes can be different. Note that it’s normal to lose about 100 strands of hair in a day.

You can perform a tug test to check if your child has hair loss issues. Gently pull a small section of your child’s hair. If more than 10% of hair falls out, it is a sign of hair loss.

Most people want to know how to stop hair fall. In most cases, hair loss is reversible. The best way to treat hair loss is to consult a trichologist or pediatrician.

Should You See A Doctor?

You should see a doctor when you notice hair loss in your child. They will diagnose the cause of the hair loss, and recommend specific treatment. The treatment may involve steroid injections, topical steroids, or oral medicines, depending on the severity of the condition. Steroid injections are mainly given to teenagers rather than younger children. The steroid treatments may stimulate hair regrowth by promoting the growth of hair follicles. A study found that a 6-week treatment with steroids may help people with alopecia areata regrow more than 25% of their hair. However, this improvement is temporary and comes with expected and short-term side effects (16).

It is important for parents to consult a healthcare provider, preferably a dermatologist or a pediatric specialist before starting any treatment. To diagnose the issues, the doctor may ask you questions about your child’s and your medical history. They may also suggest some lab tests. In most cases, hair loss is irreversible, but there may be a few medical conditions when it is permanent.

Hair loss can be traumatic for a child. And that is why you must talk to them and explain the situation.

How To Talk To Your Child About Hair Loss

Hair loss can be tough to deal with, especially for a child. It can have a psychological impact on them. You may notice that your child is more stressed (which can cause more hair loss) or less social.

The key to talking to your kid about their hair loss is to create a safe space for them. Let them know why they have hair loss and the possible treatments to regrow hair. You may want to talk to your child’s pediatrician and seek help from a therapist to help them.

If the hair loss is irreversible, consider alternatives like wigs, hair extensions, scarves, or hats. You can also try changing your child’s hairstyle to cover the bald spots. Speak to a professional hair stylist for cues on changing your child’s hairstyle. You can use hair filler products to make the hair look fuller. However, consult a doctor before using any product on your child’s scalp or if you are considering a hair transplant.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my child has alopecia?

Alopecia areata usually presents itself as one or several bald patches on the scalp that show no redness or scaling.

Which vegetables are good for hair growth?

Spinach, carrots, onion, sweet potatoes, tomato, beetroot, and French beans are some vegetables that are good for hair growth due to the presence of beta-carotene, vitamin A, antioxidants, and other nutrients.

Does vitamin D affect hair?

Yes. Vitamin D deficiency is linked to alopecia (15). It also plays a role in stimulating hair growth. However, do not take vitamin D supplements without consulting the doctor.

How to fix hair loss due to eczema in toddlers?

Eczema makes the scalp itchy, and aggressive scratching can lead to hair loss. Consult the doctor and use medicated shampoos, OTC products, and oral or topical steroids to reduce scalp inflammation.

Is it normal for my two-year-old’s hair to fall out?

Temporary hair loss is not uncommon in children and toddlers. However, consult a doctor if you notice excessive hair loss and bald patches.

Worried about your child’s hair loss issues? Gain valuable insights from this video that explores the potential causes and offers guidance on addressing this concern effectively. Check it out.

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