The development of a bald spot on the head of your toddler may be alarming, particularly if you are a new parent. Fortunately, it is rare for these problems to pose a serious threat to your child. Hair loss, however, can make your child look strange, and it can cause discomfort or pain for your child when the hair loss results from an infection or irritation.
Ringworm
According to BabyCenter, ringworm is the most common cause of hair loss in children. This is characterized by red, flaky scales on the scalp where hair has thinned or disappeared, and, in some cases, black dots may appear where hair has broken off from the skin. Ringworm is a contagious fungus that infects the skin, but it can be treated with medications from your doctor.
Alopecia Areata
This hair loss condition creates perfectly round and smooth spots on your child's head. This condition occurs when the immune system attacks the roots of the hair, slowing down hair growth. In most cases, hair loss only occurs in isolated patches on the head, although in extreme cases it can affect the entire body, according to BabyCenter.
Other Causes
Toddlers sometimes thin their own hair by pulling on it compulsively in a condition known as trichotillomania. A condition called telogen effluvium causes thinning all over the head, not just on the crown, and is triggered by changes in temperature and/or hormonal changes in the body. It is a temporary condition that eventually corrects itself over the course of several months. It is also possible that a ponytail or hair braid can be too tight and thin the hair where it is placed.
Considerations
In most cases, the cause of your child's hair loss can be determined by a simple visit or phone call to your pediatrician. Medication will be provided in the instances of ringworm and alopecia areata, but most other hair loss causes are simply waited out or addressed through external changes, such as loosening the tightness of your child's ponytail.
Expert Insight
According to BabyCenter, most instances of balding in toddlers goes away over time and the lost hair grows back in. This can take a few months to a year, depending on the condition and its severity. One of a parent's most valuable assets with hair loss is patience. It can take time for a child's head of hair to recover from an illness. Unless your doctor says otherwise, it isn't likely to last.
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