Children With Hair Loss

Although more common in older men, hair loss can happen to anyone at any age. Hair loss in children is a real issue, with a range of different causes ranging from telogen effluvium to cancer treatment. If you're worried about hair loss in your child then you should seek advice from your doctor as soon as possible; in the meantime, here are some common causes to give you a better understanding of child hair loss.Telogen EffluviumA fairly common cause of hair loss in children is telogen effluvium, which can also happen in adults. This condition is generally brought on by sudden or extreme stress or illness. High fevers, surgery under general anaesthetic, a severe injury, use of certain prescribed medicines, moving house or the death of a loved one can all cause telogen effluvium. Stress or illness can interrupt the hair growth cycle, causing shedding, hair loss and even baldness. Although there is currently no treatment for telogen effluvium, in most cases the hair will grow back once the stressful situation has passed. Children can become more stressed when losing their hair, so consider a temporary solution in the meantime.Ringworm of the ScalpAlso known as tinea capitis, ringworm of the scalp is quite a well-known cause of hair loss in children. Tinea capitis is a fungal infection that is contagious, so is usually caught from another child at school or nursery. The first signs tend to be scaly patches on the head, with hairs then breaking off from the surface of the skin. If your child is diagnosed with ringworm of the scalp then treatment is given in the form of an oral anti-fungal and/or an anti fungal shampoo.Alopecia AreataThought to be brought on by an imbalance in the body's immune system, alopecia areata is a non-contagious condition that causes hair loss in children. You may first notice round or oval hair loss patches, without scaling or any broken hairs. These smooth patches can eventually spread across the entire scalp and even across the body (alopecia totalis). Although there is no cure for alopecia, there are ways to help alleviate the symptoms and encourage hair growth again. However, these treatments do not always work and hair loss can return time after time.Cancer TreatmentsSome people think that cancer can cause hair loss in children, however it is actually the treatments used that can contribute to shedding and balding. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy both have hair loss as a potential side effect, also known as anagen effluvium. With thousands of children being diagnosed with cancer every year, this can be a very real and distressing problem. In most cases, hair will grow back once the treatment has stopped.The difficulty with hair loss in children is that it can be harder for them to understand what's happening to them. This can cause feelings of isolation and embarrassment, even when the hair is growing back. Total Cover Plus understands that child hair loss is a delicate subject, so get in contact and we will let you know how we can help.