Hair loss, or alopecia, is typically associated with the aging process. Children may also experience hair loss, although it is uncommon. Causes for hair loss in children range from common fungal infections to emotional and rare genetic causes, or side effects of medications. Consult a physician or dermatologist at the first signs of unusual hair loss in a child.
Causes
The most common cause of hair loss in children is the fungal infection Tinea capitis, or ringworm, according to the American Hair Loss Association (AHLA). Ringworm affects the scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes by attacking the hair follicles and shafts. A condition called telogen effluvium disrupts the normal hair growth process, resulting in loss of individual hairs before the new replacement hair begins growing, according to the AHLA. Telogen effluvium may be caused by severe emotional distress, extremely high fever, general anesthesia during surgery or excessive levels of vitamin A. The sudden appearance of completely hairless patches is alopecia areata, which the AHLA describes as round patches of smooth skin with no sign of inflammation, redness or scaling, possibly caused by an autoimmune response. Hair loss may also be caused by trauma to the hair shaft from consistently over-tight braids or ponytails or friction from rubbing against a headrest, for example. Children who twirl or pluck their hair may damage the hair shaft and cause patches of broken or missing hair.
Cancer-Associated Alopecia
For children with cancer, radiation treatments and chemotherapy may cause alopecia, according to the AHLA. Certain chemotherapy drugs target fast-growing cells, but the drugs are unable to distinguish cancer cells from normal healthy cells that naturally grow quickly, such as hair cells, and alopecia results. Hair lost because of chemotherapy will grow back after the treatment has ended. Radiation treatments to the scalp cause hair loss in the irradiated area. Hair is unlikely to regrow in areas treated with radiation, according to the AHLA.
Rare Causes
Heavy metals in the environment, such as mercury, may affect hair and nail growth, according to Mark B. Levin, MD, a pediatrician at the Medical Center of Princeton, New Jersey. Heavy metals rarely cause hair loss in children. If children have been affected by heavy metals in the environment, they will exhibit other symptoms in addition to the alopecia. A rare genetic condition called pili torti causes brittle hair that breaks easily, giving the appearance of baldness. Hair is present but it is extremely short and breaks off close to the scalp.
Diagnosis
Hair loss in children is largely diagnosed based on the appearance of the scalp, according to the AHLA. Ringworm appears as round or oval patches of hair loss characterized by hairs broken off at the scalp surface and may cause gray flakes on the scalp. Smooth, hairless patches characterize alopecia areata. Telogen effluvium and hair loss caused by trauma are diagnosed based on a thorough medical history.
Treatment
Treatment of alopecia in children depends on the cause. Ringworm is treated with an eight-week course of an oral antifungal agent, such as griseofulvin, and a shampoo containing selenium sulfide, according to KeepKidsHealthy.com. Ringworm is not contagious, if treated. Hair loss caused by telogen effluvium will reverse approximately six months after the causative event (for example, emotional stress) resolves. Hair will regrow after trauma unless the hair shaft is damaged, according to the AHLA. Alopecia areata has no cure or treatment.
Member Comments