Posts Tagged ‘hair loss in children’

Hair Loss in Children

Tuesday, October 12th, 2010

Hair loss problems have often been associated with the signs of aging in people. However, it is not just older people and adults who suffer from hair loss problems; it is possible to see hair loss in children too. The symptoms of hair loss in children, such as bald patches, excessive hair fall and receding hair usually become evident all of a sudden. This could cause parents to worry about the medical health of the child. Fortunately hair loss in children is quite rare; moreover about 60% of the children who suffer from the problem outgrow it naturally, as they grow older. Unfortunately, the problem of hair loss in about 40% of the children is a permanent condition. This can be quite distressing not just for the child, but also for the parents. Several parents opt for cosmetic procedures to deal with the problem of hair loss in children; but a majority of the parents prefer to opt for home remedies.

Causes of Hair Loss in Children

• One of the most common causes of hair loss in children includes fungal infections like scalp ringworm.

• In today’s world children of all ages are also put under a lot of stress, especially when it comes to performing in school, which could be the leading cause of hair loss, not just in children, but also in adults.

• There are also certain medical conditions and diseases like typhoid, which can lead to temporary hair loss in children and adults.

• Children who are undergoing chemotherapy as a part of cancer treatment would also experience hair fall. The same reaction may be seen in children who are on certain strong medication.

• In several cases, problems of hair loss in children could be either due to an unhealthy diet or because of the excessive use of hair products that contain harsh chemicals.

• Hair loss problems in children could also be caused by genetic factors.

Hair Loss in Children Home Remedies

In order to prevent hair loss in children, it may be best to address the underlying cause first. However, there are some activities that can help prevent general hair loss problems in children:

• Massages with hot oil help stimulate the circulation of blood and oxygen to the scalp, which is a great way of increasing hair growth.

• The use of hair products that contain harsh chemicals should be strictly avoided. Instead natural shampoos, conditioners and other hair products should be used regularly.

• Relaxation techniques like Yoga, mediation and certain physical exercises can help get rid of stress, which alleviates hair loss problems.

• Eating a diet that is high in vitamins and minerals, especially Vitamin B can help prevent hair loss.

What Causes Hair Loss in Children and Cures for Hair Loss

Friday, July 31st, 2009

Causes of Hair Loss in Children

Hair loss in children is quite a rare and strange problem. Adults are often plagued by all sorts of problems, and many of their hair loss problems are at least partly age related. However, almost all children usually have healthy, glossy hair that most adults envy. Premature hair loss does sometimes occur, and although it is often not treatable, it is not a sign of any health problem either. However, strictly speaking, this kind of hair loss does not affect children – the earliest it can begin would be the teen years, and this too is quite unusual.

Hair Loss Cures

If there is severe hair loss in a child, the first thing you should consider is whether it is due to a fungal infection. If the child seems to scratch his or her head unusually often or complains of soreness in the scalp, there is a good chance that a fungal infection is at work. You may be able to solve the problem by being very strict about hygiene over the next few weeks. Ensure that the child washes his or her hair regularly, and the hair and scalp are not left damp for hours afterwards. After play time or any activities that cause a lot of sweating too, the child’s head should be dried thoroughly, if not washed. Moisture helps fungal infections to grow, and this is the main thing you need to avoid. If these measures do not seem to help enough, you can try using a mild anti fungal shampoo that is suitable for children. You can also try applying tea tree oil on the child’s scalp, but begin with a very small amount. Tea tree oil, although it is a natural product, is quite strong and harsh, and may irritate the sensitive skin of a child. If there is no adverse reaction to the small amount of oil, you can start applying a more adequate amount daily before going to bed. Wash the oil off in the morning. Once a week, you can also rinse the child’s hair with a solution of vinegar and water, in a proportion of approximately 1:5, after a regular wash.

If the hair loss and other symptoms continue for more than a couple of weeks, in spite of all these measures, then you should consult a doctor. There are some serious medical conditions that can cause hair loss in children, and the earlier treatment begins, the more effective it will be.

Children hair loss – how to prevent hair loss in children

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

Causes of Hair Loss in Children

Hair loss in children is caused due to ailments like typhoid, malaria, influenza and diarrhea. Nutritional deficiencies, especially of nutrients like vitamin B6 and folic acids, may also be responsible for hair loss in children. Fungal and bacterial infections and attacks of lice are also other common causes of hair loss.

Hair Loss Prevention

There are several easy measures that you may follow at home to prevent hair loss in children. You could crush a handful of margosa leaves and apply the juice on the scalp gently. Following this remedy daily kills’ germs and lice and prevents hair loss. Another remedy is to grind a few lime seeds with some black pepper, then add a little water to this mixture and apply this paste to the roots of the child’s hair. This improves blood circulation in the scalp and promotes hair growth. If the child is losing hair in patches, grind a few pieces of licorice in some milk, add a pinch of saffron to this mixture and massage the affected area with this paste. Following this procedure every night at bedtime is highly effective in stimulating hair growth. You could also warm a little coconut oil on a low flame and massage the child’s hair with this every day to promote hair growth.

For another remedy, grind a few pigeon peas or red gram, which have been soaked in a cup of water for an hour, and apply this paste on the child’s scalp regularly to treat hair loss. Rubbing a slice of onion on the scalp is helpful in killing fungi and bacteria, and stimulates the cells at the roots of the hair. The pungent juice of onion is a natural disinfecting agent and may cause a slight burning sensation, in which case you may follow it up with a gentle massage with some honey. Massaging the scalp with the juice of fresh coriander leaves is also a remedy for hair loss. You may also grind a tablespoon of fenugreek seeds and half a cup black gram in a cup of curd and apply this on the child’s hair and scalp. Leave it on for a couple of years and then wash it away with water. Also, 15 minutes before bathing the child, you may apply a mixture of warm olive oil, a tablespoon of honey and a teaspoon of cinnamon powder on her hair. This should produce a marked reduction in hair loss within a couple of weeks.