To tell the truth, hair loss in children is a very rare occurrence. Nevertheless, the incident is crucial enough that more than a million children all over the world suffer from it. Hair loss is also known as Alopecia and this condition, you may be delighted to know, can be outgrown by about 60% of children affected by it without even undergoing treatment. While the situation may arise from different causes of hair loss, the good thing is that they can be remedied instantly.
Just like in other kinds of Alopecia, hair turnaround and full repair does not take overnight. It may take at least a year or more before children can enjoy having their full grown hair back. Unfortunately for some kids, the growing back of hair is something they may not experience. In line with this, you may want to know more about the different types of alopecia or hair loss children may encounter.
The Different Types of Alopecia or Hair Loss in Children
Below, you will find some important information about the various forms of Alopecia. Always be aware that vitamin deficiencies, cold weather, poor scalp circulation or even the use of headbands and hats are not causes of hair loss in children. There are some situations that actually trigger the condition.
- Children’s Tinea Capitis. This type of Alopecia is due to a fungal infection which targets the skin along the eyebrow, eyelash, and scalp areas. Another name for this fungal infection is scalp ringworm. Usually the baldness is circular in shape and the scalp affected by the infection is filled with black-dotted stubbles. Children with this form of Alopecia may experience minor scaling and itching. Tinea Capitis is usually a concern of children between the ages of 3 and 10. Also, boys are said to be more prone to this kind of hair loss.
- Children’s Alopecia Areata. This is another type of hair loss where the child acquires a patchy-looking baldness. The hair loss in this kind occurs in round patches. You may find that the hair surrounding the affected area is loose, although the scalp is not sore or scaling. You must take note that Alopecia areata does not result from any food, psychological stress, or hyperactive syndromes. Luckily for children with this type of Alopecia, the hair will totally grow back almost after a year. The growing hair may initially have a white color but would soon grow back to the natural hair color of the child.
- Children’s Traction Alopecia. Generally, girls suffer this kind of hair loss mostly due to the chemical and physical beating for beauty purposes. Too much tension applied on the hair such as tight ponytails can cause the hair loss.
- Children’s Trichotillomania. This is actually the urge to pull out your own hair. Because of the compulsion, uneven patches of baldness can be seen on the scalp. Children with this form of Alopecia may routinely pull out hair before going to sleep at night, or when watching television or studying. It is believed that the condition is due to psychological stress so it is important for the parents to get to the bottom of their child’s anxiety to solve Trichotillomania.
- Children’s Telogen Effluvium. This condition is usually caused by flu, high fever, or extreme emotional stress. The hair loss is not evident until about four months after and can last for up to 6 weeks. Children suffering from this type of hair loss have nothing to worry about because all the hair will eventually return.
What you must not stop thinking about is hair loss in children should not be considered as an untreated illness. There would always be many treatments and solutions out there. More often than not, Alopecia is almost always remedied. All you need to know is what exactly you are dealing with to apply the correct treatment for the hair loss.
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- Stress and Hair Loss – How Stress Affects the Different Hair Loss Types
- Hair Loss Treatments for Children – Say “No More Hair Loss”
- Hair Loss Remedies in Children – Gee, Your Hair is Back to Normal!
