Hair Loss in Children

Hair loss is mostly found in children. According to American Hair loss Association, hair loss in children can be the devastating issue. Hair loss in children is easily determined by dermatologist or a pediatrician.

Tinea Capitis

Children’s hair loss is caused by Tinea Capitis. The problem in children is associated by a fungal infection on the skin of the body such as eyebrows, eyelashes and scalp. The problem is determined to be a type of dermatophtosis or superficial mycosis.

This has also other names such as tinea tonsurans and ringworm on the skin of the scalp. The problem of tinea capitis is increased in the United States and other areas of the world.

There are patchy of hair loss in children who have tinea capitis with hairs broken-off on the surface of the scalp. There are various patches of lost hair such as oval or round. In some cases, hairs are broken-off at the skin of the scalp and there are dots in black color on the scalp. Sometimes, scales or gray flakes can be seen by the patients.

Diagnosis

Scraping of the affected area is the best option to determine the disease. In most of cases, scraping the area is used by the health care provider to detect form of fungal infection into the skin. And then, examine it under specific device such as microscope.

Treatment

Antifungal like griseofulvin is very effective to treat tinea capitis. This medicine is taken with full glass of water by mouth for two months. Nizoral shampoo is also used to clean whole scalp about two or three times per week.

This is very necessary to continue use shampoo and oral medication for two months. If treatment for disease is taken as directed by the doctor, there is no need to leave study centre for children with tinea capitis. Mostly, this disease is not spread from one child to another child while using the shampoo and oral medication.

Alopecia Areata

There are patches of lost hair of oval or round shape appearance in children. These patches of hair loss are bald, smooth and slick without any symptoms and signs of scaling, broken hairs and inflammation. It is associated when the immune system attacks the hair follicles. Children who have alopecia areata must under treat the dermatologist. The hair loss on whole scalp is associated in about 5% of children who have alopecia areata.

Diagnosis

There is no laboratory test available to detect alopecia areata. The examination of the patch bald and a procedure of eliminate the hair loss causes are used by dermatologists to diagnose alopecia areata.

Sometimes people experience pain or tingling sensation in the area which is affected by alopecia areata. In some cases, the tests for hair pulling will be performed for the space of lesions. When hair is pulling out easily, hair loss must anticipate and there is activeness in lesion. Sometimes the visual examination is also used to diagnose the disease.

Treatment

No specific treatment is available to treat alopecia areata. However, some medicines are recommended by the doctor to treat alopecia areata. Parents should consult the health care provider about the effective way for child.