Hair Loss Causes in Children and Natural Remedies

Children rarely lose their hair. However, when they do, the loss is usually not as severe as compared with hair loss in adults.

Children do not continue to suffer from hair loss even as they grow old. They would usually find their hair restored in no time with proper treatment. Doctors conventionally use topical steroids to improve hair growth. However, like hair loss in adults, it can also be approached naturally.

Hair Loss Causes in Children

Children with cancer are also victims of hair loss because of chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Cancer treatments are usually designed to kill any rapidly growing cell, an attribute which is typical of both cancer and hair follicle cells.

Therefore, when cancer patients undergo chemotherapy, hair loss or excessive hair fall is usually inevitable; although hair can be restored once the therapy is over.

Tinea capitis is a fungal infection in the scalp that can make children lose their hair. This is one of the hair loss causes that can be transmitted through direct contact with another person with the disease.

Alopecia areata is believed to be an autoimmune disorder that mostly affects children. It is the abrupt loss of hair in patches anywhere in the body. The immune system is said to attack the hair follicles due to agents that remain unknown. The condition can improve over time although it can also be chronic.

Excessive grooming and the continuous wearing of harsh hairstyles such as tight ponytails or braids stress out the hair follicles, causing folliculitis and serving as one of the most common hair loss causes. Traction alopecia may ensue. It is characterized by small patches of hair loss in irregular shapes.

A compulsion to pull out the hair is a disorder called trichotillomania. Patients with this behavioural disorder find pleasure and excitement in pulling their hair but the cause is not known.

Natural Remedies for Hair Loss in Children

In cases of traction alopecia, the hair grooming practices should be stopped or at least minimised. Parents should be gentle in combing, brushing or styling their child’s hair. Using rubber bands is a no-no.

In the case of alopecia areata, improving the immune system is the key. Parents should watch what their children and make sure they don’t consume a junk diet. Essential oil (lavender, thyme and cedarwood) massage on the scalp also helps.

For hair loss caused by tinea capitis, parents should make sure the child doesn’t let anyone share his or her towel, combs or brushes. They should sanitise linen and clothing from fungal spores.

Patients with trichotillomania undergo counselling, more exactly, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) wherein counsellors help them recognise feelings, thoughts and behaviours that trigger them to pull their hair.

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