|
Hair loss among children is not a very common phenomenon but in the past few years this problem has increased in the US as nearly two million children suffer from at least one form of alopecia (hair loss) in the country. With various forms of hair loss, a reversal and complete restoration of hair takes time, sometimes up to a year or more. In most children the problem is spontaneously resolved. But around 40 percent of the kids don’t have such luck, which can be quite frustrating both for the parents and the child affected by alopecia.
Causes for Hair Loss in Children:
It should be kept in mind that hair loss among children is not caused by vitamin deficiencies, poor scalp circulation, headbands, hats, or cold weather. So the diagnosis of hair fall among children is typically as simple as an evaluation of the risk factors. In order to control hair loss among children, a visual examination of the type of loss, and some tests need to be conducted.
Common Cases
The following are the most common childhood hair loss conditions that trichologists or other healthcare professionals could give proper treatment.
Loose anagen syndrome : It is a temporary disorder of connective tissue competency. In this case, the hair can be painlessly pulled from the scalp with little effort. More or less, it may present as ‘diffuse’ hair loss or the appearance of trichotillomania. This syndrome is seen commonly in fair-haired girls of 2 and 9 years age groups.
With the help of short course of mineral therapy, the loose anagen syndrome is generally resolved. It is recommended to tale present regime of silica 33 mg and calcium fluoride 0.5 mcg three times daily (as a duo-celloid supplement). For children between 5 to 10 years of ages, this dose should be halved.
Fail to Grow : This type of hair problem with failure to grow scalp hair is thought to be a temporary delay in the growth response mechanism. By and large, this syndrome is seen in girls of ages of 2 and 9 years, with fine hair of thin density. Usually this problem occurs when the child’s hair is not cut since birth and the children with this hair loss symptom have never grown their hair beyond collar-length. With proper dietary correction, this problem is frequently prevented in many young children. The best way to cure this hair loss problem is by including short-term nutritional supplementation, particularly an amino acid complex, iron and zinc.
Alopecia Areata : It may be present in children of any age. It also occasionally progresses to the more severe forms where all body hair is lost. This hair loss problem is considered to be an inherited autoimmune condition. It happens when certain white blood cells in the body begin reacting against the pigment hair cellswithin the hair shaft. That is why the initial hair re-growth in alopecia areata is nearly always white.
This kind of hair disorder is generally found among dark-haired children, for instance, the Asian people affecting both boys and girls equally. Around two to five percent of children who develop alopecia are found to be gluten intolerant.
As anyone who develops alopecia areata has an inherited predisposition, it is widely believed that some event is required to precipitate its activation. Triggers in children are illnesses of childhood, vaccinations, any food allergy with dairy (lactose), gluten, or red fruits & berries being the common ones. Our frequent practice of spray-on ‘temporary’ hair dyes for sporting carnivals etc. appears to be a regular cause for triggering alopecia areata among children and young people.
Best Remedies for Child Hair Loss:
Don’t worry much about the hair loss of your young ones as there are several remedies available for it. The congenital conditions that potentially affect normal hair growth are thankfully infrequent for a child to be troubled with anything more than hair loss of a temporary kind. If your kids face such problems, most can be treated successfully with simple alterations to the child’s diet and/or hair care routine.
|
