Hair loss (alopecia) in children is not
very common. Hair loss for children is
usually not due to some nutrient
deficiency except in cases of extreme
malnutrition. The most common causes for
children’s’ alopecia are:
1. TINEA CAPITIS-It is a fungal infection
on the head’s skin. Tinea Capitis is a
contagious disease but can be successfully
treated;
2. ALOPECIA AREATA-It is an inflammatory
autoimmune disease with genetic
predisposition. The prognosis of alopecia
areata is variable in different cases;
3. TRAUMATIC ALOPECIA- There are few
subtypes of this condition: COMPRESSIVE
alopecia is due to chronic pressureon the
hairs. TENSION alopecia is due to constant
teasing, fluffing, combing, washing,
curling, blow drying, hot combing,
straightening and bleaching the hair.
Tension alopecia can do a number things to
the fragile hairs, causing them to fall
out, especially those by the hair line and
along the front and sides.
TRICHOTILLOMANIA - Another type of
alopecia that is due to mechanical cause
is when the child pulls out her own
hairs.
4. TELOGEN EFFLUVIUM- Various harmful
factors can cause damage to the hair
follicle causing the hair to enter into
the telogenic phase of its cycle faster
than usual. Hairs, in fact ,become older
in a shorter period of time and that’s
why they are lost. Such harmful factors
can be: infections, metabolic disorders,
iron deficiency, medications etc.
You can bring your daughter to a
dermatologist to establish a correct
diagnosis and start proper treatment.
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