|  | Family Health | Childrens Health

Types of Children's Hair Loss

When a child begins to lose his hair it is a sign of a serious medical condition or severe stress on his body. Hair loss has several causes that are either temporary or permanent. The effects may last for several years or a child can recover quickly if the cause is fixable. Childhood hair loss can also result from medications such as cancer drugs or malnutrition.

  1. Tinea Capitis

    • Tinea capitis, also called scalp ringworm, is a type of children's hair loss caused by a fungal infection that occurs on the eyebrows, scalp and face. This infection can also affect adults as well. The most common symptom is a bald spot on different areas of the scalp. Slight stubble may grow through the bald spot as the scalp tries to recover from the infection and produce new hair growth. Some other signs are severe itching. The only effective treatment is a medicated antibiotic cream. Take your child to the doctor if you suspect he has scalp ringworm.

    Alopecia Areata

    • Alopecia areata is another type of hair loss that affects children. This condition causes a child to have patchy looking bald spots on their head. Your child may also have scabs, redness and severely dry skin on her scalp. This type of hair loss is temporary because your child's hair can grow back within one year. Malnutrition or cancer drugs cause Alopecia areata.

    Traction Alopecia

    • Traction alopecia is a type of hair loss that mainly affects girls. Hair loss can result from wearing tight ponytails or braids continually over long periods of time because styling the hair tight pulls on the hairs at the root. Allowing your daughter to wear her hair long and loose often can help prevent this type of hair loss. If she likes ponytails, don't style her hair too tightly. Instead, create a loose ponytail so her scalp can breathe.

    Children's Trichotillomania

    • Children's Trichotillomania is a condition that causes a child to exhibit excessive compulsive hair pulling behavior. The child often feels distressed and continually pulls hair out until he creates bald patches on his head. This problem is typically caused by severe stress. Medical treatment is needed to help the child regain balance and stop pulling hair out.

    Telogen Effluvium

    • Telogen Effluvium is a type of hair loss that affects both children and adults. Factors such as a high fever, severe stress, major illness, thyroid issues, infections or a major surgery cause this type of hair loss. This type of hair loss is temporary and usually lasts for about one year.

Childrens Health - Related Articles