Hair Loss in Children
Hair loss is something that you can expect in old age but not with your little kid. Hair loss is something alarming when it happens to adults, but it is more distressing for a parent to see their child struck with such a condition. Juvenile alopecia or hair loss in children amounts to 3% of the total pediatric consultation as reported by the American Hair Loss Association (AHLA). Although it may not be a common incidence, experts have sorted out the various causes and even its treatment.
Causes
One of the usual causes when it comes to a certain condition is the diet. If you have a child suffering from hair loss, you may want to look at the food that you are feeding him/her. Are you being health conscious when choosing your choice of food for your little one because vitamin deficiency can cause the hair to weaken and shed in excessive amounts. The lack of nutrition can definitely affect the delicate hair of your child.
As much as we all like to think that children are free of any concerns, they also have their own sets of stressors, and this can cause the stress induced hair loss that some adults also experience. By ensuring that you maintain a balanced diet, proper rest and adequate rest can help relieve this.
But sometimes certain pre-existing conditions that your child may be suffering from can also cause hair loss. An example would be a thyroid problem and another is diabetes.
Another cause, although rare, is the presence of heavy metals in the child’s environment. One particular metal reported by Dr. Mark B. Levin from the Medical Center of Princeton New Jersey is mercury. It can cause the hair to weaken and brittle making them break easily.
Fungal infections such as Tinea Capitis or more commonly known as Ringworm is one of the leading causes of hair loss in children. If you are not big on keeping your child clean and well groomed you just might lead them to lose their locks. Ringworm is caused by a fungus that thrives in a moist and warm environment. This results to round, itchy, round bald spots that have a patchy distribution.
However if you also go overboard with the grooming and give your child very tight braids, ponytails or pigtails then you can also cause traction alopecia. This is the kind of hair loss wherein the hair is uprooted due to too much traction from tight hairstyles.
Another reason why a child can experience hair loss is when he/she is undergoing chemotherapy. Hair shedding is one of the most distinct side effects of chemotherapeutic agents.
Treatment
Of course to address those varied causes, a number of treatment or measures are also available. For hair loss that is caused by pre-existing conditions, you have to address the primary problem first to help relieve the hair loss. As for causes that are stemming from hygienic problems, it is your role as a parent or a primary caregiver to ensure that the child is well kept daily. It is also your responsibility to see to it that he/she gets the right nutrition she needs to keep their entire system, particularly the hairs, strong and healthy. As much as surgery or hair transplant seem to be a promising option, doctors would not advice on this for children. You can however use medications such as topical creams as it is easier to provide to your child.
Do you have any questions on hair loss and hair restoration? You can visit the Australian Institute for Hair Restoration (AIHR) webpage today. Aside from giving you relevant information on hair loss and interventions to relieve it, we also advise you on the best course fitting for your specific hair problem. Visit us today at www.aihr.com.au.
Dr. Kim of The Australian Institute of Hair Restoration (http://www.aihr.com.au/sub06_faq.asp) practice surgical hair restoration in Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney Australia. Free consultation is availabe to help you explore your options and the desired outcome.
Author Bio: Do you have any questions on hair loss and hair restoration? You can visit the Australian Institute for Hair Restoration (AIHR) webpage today. Aside from giving you relevant information on hair loss and interventions to relieve it, we also advise you on the best course fitting for your specific hair problem. Visit us today at www.aihr.com.au.
Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: children hair loss,hair loss answered,hair loss treatment,hair restoration,hair institute