How To Talk To Your Child About Hair Loss
Hair loss can be tough to deal with, especially for a child. It can have a psychological impact on them. You may notice that your child is more stressed or less social.
The key to talking to your kid about their hair loss is to create a safe space for them. Let them know why they have hair loss and the possible treatments to regrow hair. You may want to talk to your childs pediatrician and seek help from a therapist to help them.
If the hair loss is irreversible, consider alternatives like wigs, hair extensions, scarves, or hats. You can also try changing your childs hairstyle to cover the bald spots. Speak to a professional hair stylist for cues on changing your childs hairstyle. You can use hair filler products to make the hair look fuller. However, consult a doctor before using any product on your childs scalp or if you are considering a hair transplant.
Several reasons can cause hair loss in children. It can be due to medical as well as non-medical causes. Tight hairstyles, friction, use of chemicals, and blow drying are the non-medical causes, while there are other medical causes like alopecia, hypothyroidism, and nutritional deficiencies that can cause early hair loss. It will be easy to treat if you identify the reason behind the hair loss as soon as you notice hair loss. Consult an experienced doctor and determine which treatment suits your child.
Hair Pulling Or Twirling
Children who twirl their hair may damage the hair follicles, causing the hair to fall out. Some children pull their hair because of anxiety. Doctors call this trichotillomania.
When the person stops pulling or twirling their hair, it should regrow. Hair pulling is a type of anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder, so it is essential to treat the underlying cause. A child may benefit from therapy, emotional and social support, or medication.
Treat Your Babys Scalp Gently
Even though you cant prevent hair loss altogether, you can minimize the effects by treating your babys scalp and hair gently.
Here are some simple suggestions:
- Avoid headbands
- Dont tie braids or ponytails too tight
- Comb your babys hair with a soft baby brush
- Only comb hair once every other day
- Skip styling your babys hair
- Dont dry their hair with a hairdryer
- Dont put a hat or cap on their head if its hot outside
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Mention Baby Hair Loss To Your Pediatrician If Necessary
If youre worried about your babys hair loss, or if you notice any of the symptoms mentioned early in the article, talk to your pediatrician right away.
The doctor will either confirm that the problem is simply a result of hormones, or shell be able to let you know if its more serious. Either way, it will set your mind at ease and make you feel better. And thats good for both you and your baby.
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- Scabs or crusts are present in the hair
- Ringworm of the scalp suspected.
- Broken hairs from tight hair style and pimples are present in scalp
- Patch of hair loss and cause not known
- Widespread hair thinning and cause not known
- Hair loss from nervous habit of twisting the hair
- Hair loss is a chronic problem
- Normal hair loss suspected, but doesn’t grow back within 6 months
- You have other questions or concerns
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How To Prevent Baby Bald Spots
First things, first. Dont panic!
Hormones can play a big part in baby hair-loss after birth . However, a more common cause for baby bald spots is the time babies spend on their backs. This time spent constantly rubbing their heads on their mattress, bassinet, capsule, etc. causes their fine hair to be knotted and broken off or pulled out by the constant friction.
Read on to discover our tried, tested and trusted techniques to help you prevent baby bald spots, encourage re-growth in existing bald spots and give your baby’s hair the best starting care!
1. SWITCH TO SILK
Silky Tots 100% Mulberry Silk Bassinet/Cot Sleeves and Sheets help to reduce and prevent baby bald spots by reducing the friction on babys head . This friction is the main culprit for matting, knotting, frizz and eventually the dreaded baby bald spot.
Designed exclusively for babies, our Silk Cot and Bassinet Sheets and Sleeves have been created specifically for preventing bald patches and promoting hair growth.
Silk creates a luxurious, liquid smooth environment for baby’s hair to grow as well as being naturally breathable, hypoallergenic and uninhabitable by dust-mites perfect for eczema, asthma and allergies.
IS YOUR BABY ALREADY SPORTING A BALD SPOT?
Dont worry, its not too late! Sleeping on silk allows baby’s new hair to come through much quicker than sleeping on cotton or bamboo sheets, reducing friction, silk protects the new hairs and encourages regrowth.
– Georgianna C.
How Is Alopecia Areata Diagnosed
See your doctor if you are experiencing significant hair loss. There are many reasons for hair loss. Your doctor will look at your hair loss pattern. He or she will review your medical history. They will check to see if the hairless areas of your scalp are smooth and peach-colored. Sometimes, the remaining hair in alopecia areata has a specific shape. Your doctor may pull a couple of hairs from your head to examine under a microscope. If your doctor cant confirm a diagnosis, he may send you to a lab for a test. They will scrape a small sample of skin from your scalp and look at it under a microscope. This can help them rule out other conditions that cause hair loss. You may also have a blood test to look for other autoimmune diseases.
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What Are The Major Causes
Some of the major causes of hair loss in children are:
- Alopecia areata: One of the reasons for hair fall could be alopecia areata. This condition causes the immune system to attack the hair follicles all over the body. It can cause smooth bald patches throughout the scalp and is known to impact the speed of hair growth.
- The function of the thyroid hormone: Thyroid disorders like hypothyroidism can lead to excessive hair loss.
- Underactivity of the pituitary gland: If your babys pituitary gland is under-active, he may have a condition called hypopituitarism which can cause extreme hair loss.
- Trichotillomania: It is a condition observed in slightly older babies where they compulsively pull their hair out. This could be a reason for hair fall.
- Physical damage: Tying your babys hair too tightly or other forms of physical damage to their hair could lead to irreversible hair loss.
- Infection: A variant of the ringworm infection called tinea capitis is highly contagious and can cause hair loss, flaky, and itchy scalp and redness on the scalp.
- Hair problems: Lice infestations and the presence of dandruff can cause hair to fall.
Most parents think newborn baby hair fall could be a sign of something more serious. If limited to small amounts, hair loss is expected at any age. Talk to your doctor to get an insight into your babys hair loss.
Look For Other Symptoms
One of the biggest indicators that something more serious is happening with your baby is a change in behavior associated with their hair loss.
Is your little onesleeping less for no apparent reason? Are they refusing to eat foods they liked before? Are they acting strange?
These are not indicators in and of themselves , but they can alert you to an underlying problem. Some symptoms to keep an eye out for include:
- Patchy bald spots with red, flaky scales
- Isolated smooth, round, totally bald areas
- Swelling of the tongue and around the eyes, coupled with cool, pale skin
- Increased thirst and urination
- Sluggishness
- Jitteriness
None of these symptoms indicate a life-threatening illness, but its important to consult a doctor for further advice if you observe them in your baby.
Note that hair loss can also be caused by external forces that have nothing to do with your babys hormones.
If you regularly put your babys hair in a ponytail , the tightness of the ponytail may result in hair loss. Even excessive twirling or hair pulling can cause irregular patches to fall out.
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Do You Have To Take The Baby To A Doctor For Hair Loss
Hair loss in babies is not a medical emergency. If the baby is otherwise healthy, there is no need to take the baby to a doctor. However, if the baby has the following symptoms along with hair loss, then it is better for the doctor to take a look .
- Itchiness of the scalp
- A cracked and crusty scalp that bleeds
- Baby tends to pull hair very often
- Rapid hair thinning due to hair loss
- Blisters or pimples appear at the point of hair loss
When Do Babies Lose Their Hair
Babies often lose their hair during the first six months. This kind of hair loss is called alopecia. The hair falls out and the new, mature hair hasnt yet come in. The hair usually grows back within a year.
Parents are sometimes surprised to discover that when a baby grows a new head of hair it’s a completely different color and texture than what he was born with. BabyCenter reader Julie’s son Will was born with a full head of thick black hair. “He looked just like Elvis he even had sideburns,” she says. “Both my husband and I are blond, and we wondered where the dark hair came from. Almost immediately after birth, though, it started falling out. The hair that replaced it is a beautiful wheat color.”
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What Are The Symptoms Of Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata frequently presents as the sudden onset of smooth, round, hairless patches on the scalp. The affected areas are usually skin-colored but may have a peach color. Occasionally, there are scattered short colored or white hairs within the hairless patch.
In alopecia areata, there is no redness or scaling on the surface of the skin. Children usually first present with one to several small patches on the scalp, but occasionally experience with more rapid hair loss involving nearly the entire scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes and body hair. Your childs nails may show small pits in the surface.
Change Your Babys Position
Is your baby spending a lot of time in the same position? Whether its in their crib or a stroller, you might need to change things up. Maybe your little one loves to sleep on their left side, which has resulted in a flat spot.
Dont be afraid to place your baby the opposite way in the crib. Since babies like to face outward, they typically lay with their head facing the light.
If such light is usually on their left side, try to lie them the other way, to gently encourage them to turn to the right. Your baby should do this naturally.
During car rides, your baby will likely be looking out the window beside them. This could cause them to spend a little too long in one position. Putting the car seat on the other side of the vehicle might fix the problem.
During the day, when youre home, why not lay out a blanket in your living room, or garden? Place a few toys on the blanket and let your baby move around as much as possible. Remember to supervise your baby during this time.
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Preventing Hair Loss In Infants
Although theres nothing you can do to prevent infant hair loss caused by natural patterns of hair growth, hair loss in newborn babies may be caused or exacerbated by, other things like rubbing her head on her bed or baby seat.
Since many parents put their babies to sleep on their backs for safety reasons, theres not much you can do about that. You can try a different baby seat, though. Also, ensure he gets plenty of tummy time when hes awake to get him off his back as much as possible.
If your babys hair loss is due to cradle cap, try some coconut oil to moisten and loosen the scales. Simply put a bit of liquid coconut oil onto a baby brush and gently rub your babys scalp in a circular motion. Then give bathe him as normal. The cradle cap should begin to disappear after a few treatments. If it continues to be a problem or the cradle cap spreads to his eyebrows, or other areas, contact your physician.
While it may not look all that pretty, hair loss in newborn babies is totally normal in the majority of cases. Given enough time, their hair will grow back. As always though, if you suspect theres something off, trust your mothers instinct and take your baby to see her pediatrician.
Will Your Babys Hair Regrow
Yes, your little ones hair will regrow, so, again, theres no need to panic.In some newborns, the process happens slowly so that losing hair and growing new hair happen at the same time. While you may notice hair in your hand or in their crib, you may not see a significant difference in the look of your little ones hair.In other babies, the process happens quickly and your newborn may go completely bald in a matter of days.Both situations are normal and the hair will come back in the weeks and months to follow. Dont be surprised, though, if the new hair looks different than the hair they were born with. Its not uncommon for your babys locks to change completely after this initial hair loss.When your little ones hormone levels stabilize, their hair may be blonde even though it started out as brown. It may go from curly to straight or from thick to thin. The end result depends on your babys genes and the new hormones they produce as they grow.
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Is Hair Loss In Babies Normal
In the first six months after birth, a child will lose what is known as birth hair. This is the hair that a baby is born with, and this hair is meant to fall off. Small amounts of hair fall post this period is also considered normal. Just like adults, hair loss to a small extent is to be expected in children.
If the hair fall is excessive and not related to the babys birth hair, it might be a cause of concern. This may require medical assistance, but before going to consult your doctor, it is best to evaluate the possible causes of hair loss in your baby.
Observe The Way Your Baby Sits And Sleeps
Another external factor that may contribute to your babys hair loss is the way they sit and sleep. When you start to pay attention, you may notice that your baby spends a lot of time in the same position.
For example, when they sleep, they turn their head to the right to look at the world outside their crib. Then when they sit in their car seat, they turn their head to the right to look out the window.
Spending too much time in one position can put pressure on your little ones skin, creating friction that may cause hair loss. If your baby usually sleeps with their head at one end of the crib, try putting them down with their head at the other end of the crib for a night or two
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Treatments Of Alopecia In Children :
There are no specific treatments or care. However, sometimes hair comes back after therapy. If the cause of alopecia is fungal infection, then oral-medication might be necessary. The medication needs to be taken for four to eight weeks.
Cure also includes anti-fungal shampoo, two to three times per week, for eight weeks or so. This can decrease the rate of scaling. There are also a wide variety of treatments available for alopecia areata. It suppresses the immune system to combat the disease. However, the side effects of the medication surpass the potential benefits derived from it.
Some of the creams and lotions help to grow hair in the bald patches. But it does not treat the disease. Sometimes bad nutrition causes alopecia. In those cases the doctor prescribes proper diet.
Hair Loss Due To Alopecia In Children: Sign Symptoms And Treatment
Alopecia is a disease which causes partial or complete hair loss. Like adults, it can also affect children. Children can experience hair loss in patches. Sometimes they might become completely bald. Alopecia in children can also cause loss of hair throughout the entire body. It is more common amongst children between 5 to 12 years old. Ringworm called tinea capitis is one of the main causes of this disease. Though there are many causes which triggers hair loss in children, alopecia is the most chronic and concerning factor.
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What Are The Main Causes Of Hair Loss In Children
Understand the medical conditions or stress that may be causing your child to lose hair.
Seeing your child losing hair can be distressing. So, what are the causes of hair loss in children? This post is for you if you are having trouble determining the cause. Many studies have proven that there is a link between hair and self-image, psychosocial functioning, emotional well-being, and quality of life , . Hair loss in children, especially when it occurs at a young age, can have a profound psychological impact. Let us first examine the causes of hair loss in youngsters so that we may talk to them about developing confidence from within and find an acceptable solution to the situation. Keep reading!