When a child experiences a thinning or loss of hair, it's usually due to certain conditions. Not only does alopecia areata cause hair loss in the young, but also tinea capitis, telogen effluvium and trauma can contribute to a child's hair loss, according to the American Hair Loss Association. The reason for the thinning or loss of hair dictates the type of treatment necessary to initiate the regrowth of hair as well as to prevent additional hair loss.
Corticosteroids
According to the Cleveland Clinic, alopecia areata can be treated with corticosteroids, which are administered in various ways, including topically, orally and intravenously. Since alopecia areata is considered an autoimmune disease, the anti-inflammatory effects of corticosteroids can stop hair loss and even stimulate new growth of hair in children. A doctor can help to determine whether or not a child will benefit from such a treatment.
Anthralin
Alopecia areata is also treated with anthralin, a medication commonly used to treat psoriasis, advise experts at the Mayo Clinic. This medication is administered topically to stimulate new hair growth. But like corticosteroids, it does nothing to actually treat the condition itself. Currently, alopecia areata has no cure. Treatment options involve reducing the symptoms of the condition, which includes hair loss. Anthralin is sold under various names, including Psoriatec, Dritho-Scalp or Anthralin.
Topical Sensitizers
The Cleveland Clinic recommends topical sensitizers for the treatment of alopecia areata. Topical sensitizers, such as diphencyprone, dinitrochlorobenzene or squaric acid dibutylester, trigger an immune response by the body that may help to encourage the regrowth of hair. Much like corticosteroids and anthralin, a doctor can discern if this is the appropriate treatment for your child and which sensitizers should be used.
Tinea Capitis Medications
If the loss or thinning of hair is a result of tinea capitis, or ringworm, the fungal infection must first be treated before the hair is able to grow back. According to the Mayo Clinic, griseofulvin and terbinafine hydrochloride are the most effective medications to get rid of the ringworm. Both medications are administered orally. After the ringworm is eliminated, nothing needs to be done to stimulate the regrowth of hair. The American Hair Loss Association states that treatment usually takes around eight weeks.
Identification
Though this may not sound like a treatment option, the identification of the cause of the hair loss is the most important part of treating telogen effluvium. Telogen effluvium is a form of hair loss due to a shock to the system. It may be a result of emotional stress, surgical procedures, high fevers, dietary imbalances or even medications. Once the cause is identified and eliminated from the system of the child, the regrowth of hair typically begins anywhere between six months and one year, according to the American Hair Loss Association.
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