Is it Normal for Your Infant to Lose Hair?

According to pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene, babies have two crops of hair within the first year of life. It is perfectly normal for your infant to lose hair, as long as his scalp and hair shafts appear normal. A variety of conditions cause abnormal hair loss in infants.

Telogen Effluvium

• According to the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board, infant hair loss within the first six months is called telogen effluvium. It is caused by a decrease in the baby's hormones after birth and results in a newborn losing the hair he was born with.

Bald Patches

• Infants can develop bald patches depending on the way they sit and sleep. Bald patches typically occur when a baby sits with the back of her head against a car seat or sleeps in the same position. Your infant may also develop a bald patch from rubbing his head against the crib mattress.

Traction Alopecia

• According to the BabyCenter Medical Advisory board, traction alopecia is an uncommon cause of infant hair loss. It is the result of physical damage, such as tight ponytails.

Trichotillomania and Alopecia Areata

• Trichotillomania can cause irregular patches of hair loss in infants and occurs when a baby twirls or pulls out her hair. Alopecia areata is a condition in which an infant's immune system attacks the hair follicles, creating round, smooth, completely bald areas in isolated patches on the scalp. Alopecia areata may also appear on other areas of the body.

Tinea Capitis

• Tinea capitis, also known as ringworm, is a contagious fungal infection that causes bald patches. Tinea capitis infections can be flaking, scaling, red and even black where the hair shafts have broken off.