To start with, I must say, one should not panic about hair loss in babies. Like other growth-related changes, you can expect hair loss as one of them. For your information, every child is supposed to lose his hair most of the time in the first six months of life. However, there could be multiple reasons for this. In this article, we will be talking about the causes and treatments of hair loss in babies.
Tinea Capitis or impetigo is a skin related disease caused by a superficial fungal infection of the skin on the scalp, eyebrows, and genes. This infection further attacks hair and hair follicles. Children suffering from this infection lose their hair from certain areas of the head. Once a baby loses hair, one can see that part of the scalp easily.
Diagnosis
The severity and presence of this infection are confirmed by a test known as a wood lamp test. This test is done in a dark room. An ultraviolet light is concentrated on the area with hair loss. You don’t need any scalp biopsy.
Treatment
The treatment of this infection is usually done with anti-fungal agents, prescribed by experts. In addition, there are specific shampoos available. For better results, both shampoo and oral treatment are a must. While having medical treatment, you must not give up on oral treatment. The success of medical treatment depends upon the continuation of oral medication that is done for 8 weeks on the daily basis.
Alopecia Areata
Under this type of hair loss condition, you will see patches formed by the hair loss on the scalp. Despite numerous medical studies in the area, the only known cause of alopecia areata is an attack of the immune system on hair follicles.
Diagnosis
As very little is known about Alopecia Areata, hence, no specific antagonistic tests are available.
Treatment
Under this condition, recovery is slow and it may take anything up to one year. As far as kids are concerned, if found infected, they need a consistent surveillance of an expert dermatologist.
Now that we know a very little about this infection, hence, no approved medication is available. While going through medical treatment, you must not forget that this treatment only promotes hair growth, and cannot ensure any further hair loss in other areas. Even after a successful treatment, you can expect hair loss, again.
Trichotillomania
One among the other causes behind hair loss in babies. Hope you have noticed a few babies consistently twisting and pulling their hair? This is a psychological condition, where kids pull their own hair because this is the only way they know to express anger or frustration.
Diagnosis
As a result of pulling and twisting, babies experience hair loss. Also, part of the hairless scalp appear.
Treatment
For this kind of problem, you need a psychiatrist, who will correct baby’s behavior.
Telogen Effluvium
A condition caused by stress or a disease that deprived the child’s body of assimilation of nutrients. This condition will either slow down or end the growth of hair.
Diagnosis
For a better understanding of this condition, you need to understand the life-cycle of hair growth. There are a growth and stagnation period, in the case of hair.
Actually, the growth period lasts about three years, and stagnation lasts about three months. During the stagnation phase, hair stays in the follicle until the new hair begins to grow and hair loss begins with the onset of a new hair growth period.
I have seen many parents talking about their baby’s new hair color and texture after a complete hair loss. A mother confessed that her baby was born with a rich and blonde hair and both parents were having black hair. But, after hair loss, their baby too had black hair.
Treatment
Telogen effluvium occurs and disappears (6 months after happening) by itself. And, there is nothing to worry about.
Using chemically enhanced hair products
Many parents use chemically composed shampoos and other hair products and this is another reason behind hair loss. These harmful chemicals are not only bad for skin, but for hair, as well.
Treatment
In case of babies, being parents, you are not supposed to use such shampoos. Also, you must not use hair products that are meant for adult use only.
You can also take the following precautionary measures.
- Upon seeing any sign or hair loss, you must tell your pediatrician about it. Updating your pediatrician about any hair loss becomes more important if your baby is older than 6 months. Although, there is nothing to worry about, yet pediatrician is the best person to decide whether it is a serious condition or not. In case of any doubt, he may either suggest you a dermatologist’s appointment or an anti-fungal medication.
- You must keep changing the baby’s sleeping position and must not let her sleep/rest in the same position.
- Before buying any special pillow, it is better to have it sanctioned from your pediatrician.
In the end, always keep in mind that a baby’s hair is more fragile and delicate than an adult. So, please brush it lightly and always go for natural haircuts. Perhaps in one year, the head of your baby will be full of hair.