1. Discuss Hair Loss From Chemotherapy
Some cancer drugs cause hair loss in children as they attack fast growing hair cells along with the cancer cells they seek to destroy. In young children, hair loss seems less important than it does to teenagers. Before a teen begins cancer treatment, it's important to make plans for enhancing her appearance after hair loss. Not all chemotherapy medication causes hair loss, so discuss with your child and your child's doctor the treatment options and expected results. Hats, scarves or wigs can hide the hair loss caused by chemotherapy for the several months it may take for your child's hair to grow back.
2. Trauma Causes Pediatric Alopecia
Injury or shock to hair follicles can cause pediatric alopecia, or hair loss in children. Wearing hair in tight bands that hold ponytails and braids or consistently rubbing the hair in the same spot can result in hair breakage and loss. The obsessive-compulsive disorder known as trichotillomania is the act of pulling out one's own hair. Trichotillomania results in irregular patterns of hair loss, but the hair usually grows back once the behavior stops.
3. Alopecia Areata Can Start With an Immune Disorder
An immune disorder can cause hair loss in children that results in bald spots, which appear suddenly, usually overnight. A person's immune system attacks hair follicles and causes complete hair loss, with no breakage, scales or irritation. There are no cures or treatments designed specifically for this condition, called alopecia areata, but dermatologists can help by prescribing some medications that seem to help children with this disorder. Because alopecia areata has no cure, symptoms can resurface many times in a child's life.
4. Beware of Ringworm of the Scalp
A skin infection that affects the scalp and results in patchy hair loss in children is known as tinea capitis, or ringworm of the scalp. A fungus causes the infection. A health care professional can treat it with an antifungal medication coupled with a medicated shampoo. The medicine is an oral treatment taken for 8 weeks. Children should use the medicated shampoo two to three times per week for the same amount of time. Using the medication along with the shampoo prevents the spread of tinea capitis to other children, so missing school isn't necessary during treatment.
5. An Interruption in the Cycle of Hair Follicles
Each hair follicle grows hair for about 3 years, then degenerates. After degeneration, the follicle rests for about 3 months before hair growth resumes. Telogen effluvium is a condition in which the hair follicles remain dormant, resulting in partial or total hair loss. Telogen effluvium can present after getting too much vitamin A, experiencing high fevers, severe stress or injury, or from using an acne medication called Accutane. Children often experience full hair restoration after 6 months to a year of removal of the stress that causes the telogen effluvium.
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