When most people see a child with no hair, they often assume that the child has a form of cancer or other illness. However, although chemotherapy treatment for cancer does cause hair to fall out, it is not the only cause of children’s hair loss.
Some forms of hair loss in children are more temporary than others, but all can be diagnosed properly if you just keep calm and take your child to see your GP.
The following are a few of the most common causes of children’s hair loss:
• Ringworm (also known as tinea capitis when it occurs on the scalp) – this is a fungal infection which causes patches of hair loss, itchiness, inflammation and scaling on the scalp.
• Alopecia areata – another common cause of hair loss, this condition causes small spots or patches of baldness on the scalp. It is thought to be caused by a problem with the immune system.
• Trichotillomania – this is a condition in which the child feels the compulsive urge to pull out their own hair. It happens a lot amongst children, but most grow out of it given the proper attention.
• Telogen effluvium – like in adults, this is a condition triggered by stress, illness, fever or surgery. The stressful or traumatic event can cause more hair than normal to go into the resting phase, after which it falls out. However, the hair should grow back after six months or so.