Alopecia is the term used for hair loss on the scalp or on any part of the body. Estimates put the statistics of children suffering from alopecia in the United States at a few million. It is estimated that 3% of children visiting pediatricians complain of alopecia.
Though it is not a life-threatening ailment, alopecia in children causes them a lot of embarrassment and stress. Number of factors are responsible for hair loss, but usually alopecia in children is caused due to one of the following reasons:
Fungal infections:
Tinea Capitis is a common kind of fungal infection affecting children. This condition which infects the hair roots is highly contagious and can spread if infected brushes, combs and linen are used by other children.
Alopecia areata:
Refers to a condition in which immune system cells attack the hair follicle causing hair loss. Hair loss may occur in any part of the body, from scalp to eyelashes, eyebrows, genitals etc.
Hair shaft trauma:
Trauma to the hair shaft is caused because of certain kinds of tight and fancy hairstyles or accessories like helmets and hats, which cause traction to the hair leading to hair fall. Trauma is also a common cause of alopecia in children. Other causes of trauma include chemical reactions, burns and Trichotillomania. Trichotillomania is a condition in which the affected person has a habit of pulling and plucking out hair, from the scalp or body.
Telogen effluvium:
Excessive hair loss may also occur due to Telogen effluvium, a condition in which the hair’s normal growth pattern is disturbed. This condition may be caused due to external factors like high fever, stress, crash diets, medication, chemotherapy, injury or surgery.
Depending upon the cause, symptoms of alopecia in children range from bald patches to broken hair, itchiness and burning, scaling, complete hair loss and sometimes scarring too.
At times if the condition is not severe, hair growth is restored by itself and sometimes no kind of treatment is found to be very effective. Early intervention is the key to successful treatment.
Treatment again, depends upon the cause. If hair loss is hereditary, generally there is no effective treatment, but for conditions like fungal infections, medications or topical creams can be beneficial when used over a period of time.
Normally topical creams or lotions and antifungal shampoos are used to treat alopecia. Though these creams and shampoos are useful, the condition may recur because the infection is not eradicated due to superficial penetration of these topical agents.
If poor nutrition and diet or medical ailment is the cause of alopecia, proper nutrition and cure from the ailment or stressful incidence can restore hair growth, normally within six months. In extreme cases, surgery can also be an option.
Some kinds of alternative treatments which improve blood circulation, like massages and aromatherapy with essential oils like lavender, sage, thyme and others, have shown positive results.
References:
http://www.americanhairloss.org/children_hair_loss/causes_treatment.asp
http://www.healthofchildren.com/A/Alopecia.html
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