Hair Loss on a Child

The causes for hair loss on a child can range from physical conditions to psychological problems. According to the American Hair Loss Association (AHLA), "children's hair loss is responsible for approximately three percent of all pediatric office visits in this country." Although hair loss can be devastating for both the child and family, many treatments have been proven successful in re-growing hair.

Tinea Capitis

• The disease tinea capitis, or ringworm of the scalp, is the most common cause of hair loss for children. Caused by a superficial fungal infection, the hair loss may differ in appearance; it can take the shape of a round or irregular pattern, while the hairs may be broken right at the surface of the scalp. According to the AHLA, tinea capitis can be treated with oral antifungal medication, such as griseofulvin, and Nizoral shampoo for an eight-week treatment.

Alopecia Areata

• Thought to be caused by the body's own immune system attacking its hair follicles, children who suffer from alopecia areate have completely bald, round or oval patches that may appear overnight. One in one thousand children have this affliction at any given time. Although there is no cure or FDA approved treatments for alopecia areate, many patients have been prescribed medication that was not initially designed for this disease; this medication has helped a certain percentage suffering from alopecia areate.

Trichotillomania

• With the average age of onset at 11, trichotillomania is a disorder that causes children to pull their hair from various parts of their bodies, including their scalps, eyebrows and legs. Although this disorder can fluctuate in severity, it is often thought to be soothing for a young child, similar to thumb sucking. The causes of trichotillomania are unknown but are believed to be connected with obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety and depression. The Trichotillomania Learning Center claims that behavior therapy and certain medications should be taken into consideration for successful treatment.

Telogen Effluvium

• Telogen effluvium, another common cause of adolescent hair loss, is the prolonging of the telogen phase of hair growth, when the hair follicle lies dormant and is eventually pushed out by a newly growing hair. Telogen effluvium causes many (if not all) hair follicles to stay in the telogen phase, resulting in baldness weeks later. According to the AHLA, different events, such as high fevers, surgery under general anesthesia, severe emotional distress or injury can trigger telogen effluvium. After the stressful event is over, children should begin full hair growth in six months to a year.

Cancer Treatment

• Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, may cause hair loss on children. While radiation may cause hair loss in the specific, radiated area, chemotherapy attacks the cells of hair follicles as well as the cells of cancer, causing hair to fall out. The National Coalition For Cancer Survivorship states that hair usually grows back within a few months of chemotherapy's completion, although it may be temporarily a different color or texture than the child's original hair. The NCCS believes in planning ahead; families should look into purchasing wigs, hats or scarves and contacting the child's school.