Children’s Hair Loss – Types of Hair Loss in Infants and Children

Hair loss is not just the problem of an adult. Hair loss in children is frightening and is a concern for the child and the parent both.

The majority of the children who face hair loss are due to:

• Tinea Capitis

It is a common hair loss disease seen in children. It is also called “Ring Worm’’ due to the scaly patches that forms due to this. The patches are mostly round. The results are breakage of hair making it look like black dots on the scalp.

Diagnosis of it is done on the basis of the appearance of the patches on the scalp. A wood lamp test, where the ultraviolet lights are shined on the patches to check the presence of any fungal infection.

For the treatment, Tinea capitis is treated with an antifungal such as griseofulvin for about eight weeks. Also, Nizoral shampoo is recommended for cleansing the scalp. Both the antifungal and shampoo are suggested to be used together for eight weeks for successful treatment.

• Alopecia Areata

It is caused by the attack of the immune system on the hair follicles. It forms round, oval patches of hair loss which can appear overnight and sometimes in few days. The patches are not scaly, and the hair is not broken like Tinea Capitis.

With the right treatment, the sufferer can have all the hair back in about a year’s time. If not treated properly and at right time it could lead to Alopecia Totalis which is the loss of hair on the whole scalp and in some children the condition can get worse where they can lose the hair from all over the body is known as the disease Alopecia Universalis.

Alopecia Areata is determined by the examination of the patches on the scalp. The patches are smooth and produce tingling effect. The margins of the lesion are checked and if the hair is easily pulled out means the lesion is active and further hair loss could be expected.

Sadly there is no FDA treatment for alopecia areata, but there are some off-label drugs for the treatment of it. It is an unpredictable disease, even with the cure of the patches it cannot be assured that further patches would occur neither the medications promise the prevention of further patches.

• Endocrine

Some people face hair loss due to hypothyroidism in which the thyroid is underactive to regulate the metabolism which in turn causes hair loss.

The diagnosis of hypothyroidism is done by taking blood tests which show abnormal levels of the two hormones called T4 and TSH. Treatment for hypothyroidism depends on a number of factors such as the overall health and medical history of the patient, the extent of the hair loss and expectation on the course of the disease.

•  Telogen Effluvium

It is caused by some extreme stress which affects the cycle of hair growth. It can be caused by severe fever, surgery or an uneventful event.

There is no diagnosis for it, however, once the stress is over the hair start to regrow and develop.

• Nutrients

Sometimes hair loss in children is caused by the deficiencies of certain nutrients such as vitamins, iron or zinc.

Vitamin H – It is important for the body as it converts the carbohydrates into glucose to fuel the body.

Zinc – It supports the growth and development as well as supports various aspects of the metabolism.

An overdose of Vitamin A can also cause the loss of hair. A proper balanced diet is a key to healthy body and hair.

Consultation

We at Hair Transplant Dubai are offering a free consultation for the hair loss treatment. Fill the form below, so you can get the benefit from our hair doctors to fight the problem and restore the hair of your child.