Managing Hair Loss in Children: Expert Insights and Advice

It is a painful sight for most parents to see their baby losing hair, but the problem, unfortunately, is not so uncommon anymore. Hair loss in kids may not have extremely harmful effects on physical health, but it can take a huge emotional toll on the child.

As is the case today, hair loss is a problem that can strike anybody, of any age. Who would have thought that hair loss in infants could also be a concern for parents? But it is a big problem now.

Hair loss in children is primarily caused by one or more forms of infection in the scalp. Most cases, however, are harmless and can be cured even with home remedies for child hair loss.

The causes of hair loss in children can be classified according to two broad factors:

1. Pattern of Alopecia
2. Scarring

Basis the pattern of alopecia in kids, the causes are further classified into:

1. Focal or patchy
2. Diffuse

Based on scarring, the causes are again of two types, namely:

1. Non-cicatricial
2. Cicatricial

Newborn hair loss may be caused by several underlying conditions and predisposing genetic factors such as:

1. Inflammatory disorders
2. Fungal infections
3. Autoimmune disorders like alopecia areata in children, or trichotillomania
4. Genetic diseases like ectodermal dysplasia, a clinical syndrome characterized by hair abnormality and symptoms

Alopecia in children is usually associated with hair shaft defects such as trichorrhexis invaginata or Netherton syndrome, monilethrix, or follicle damage. If you see baby hair loss on top of the head, it could be due to nutritional deficiency arising from a shortage of iron and zinc in the body, a highly prevalent condition, especially in underdeveloped countries.

To ensure a correct diagnosis for hair fall in kids, it is essential to adopt a practical approach. This ensures the adoption of timely and corrective measures to prevent future hair loss in children.

There are other non-medical reasons for hair loss in kids, like,

1. Use of chemicals, dye, bleach that can damage the hair shaft.
2. Excess heat from a blow-dryer.
3. Hair ties like ponytails or braids can also cause damage to hair follicles.

Newborn hair loss is perfectly normal. In fact, almost all babies lose the hair that they were born with. This is a natural process that allows for the growth of new and healthier hair. Mature hair takes the place of newborn hair as babies grow.

Too much rubbing or friction with the mattress or bed may also lead to your baby losing hair. Again, there is nothing to worry about because this behaviour of excessive rubbing of the head against surfaces goes away as infants grow up.

According to scientific studies conducted by the Oregon Health and Science University, hair loss in infants happens during the first six months of birth and peaks at about 3 months. In most cases, hair fall in kids at such an early age happens simultaneously with hair regrowth. The process is so overlapping that you may not even notice your baby losing hair.

Nonetheless, it is always a good idea to look out for some common symptoms of hair fall in kids:

• Loose strands of baby hair every time you stroke through it.
• Hair left on the comb or towel after shampooing.
• Strands of hair on every surface the baby comes in contact with.