Like adults, children can suffer hair loss. It should be noted that Trichology offers solutions for most of these hair losses. In some cases the fall is temporary and reversible, in others it may be permanent. A consultation with an expert trained in trichology will reassure parents and child. Then we can discuss the options and next steps.
Chemotherapy and cranial radiation
Unfortunately, cancer also affects young children and they are not immune to the side effects of treatment. In young children undergoing chemotherapy or cranial radiation treatments, hair loss is often unavoidable.
During treatment, the cellular division of the hair follicle stops. The hair will fall out 2-3 weeks later. The fall differs from one child to another and depends on the concentration and duration of the treatments. The skin of the body and scalp also becomes very sensitive and dry. When oncologists and pivot nurses don’t know what to suggest, they will rather do nothing to avoid further sensitizing the skin and scalp.
But even without hair, you must wash your head and body properly. We often talk about aesthetic solutions to compensate for hair loss during the treatment period, but we must also pay attention to the health of the scalp and skin.
During the treatment, this will help to keep the scalp moisturized and ready for hair growth at the end of the treatments.
Thirty days after the end of their treatment, care that can stimulate regrowth with amino acids and vitamins is needed.
The most important thing is to listen to the child’s needs and fears, to explain in simple words and to reassure them.
There are other forms of hair loss that affect children, such as hair loss and trichotillomania.
Trichotillomania is a compulsive need to pull your hair off your head or other body parts. Often considered an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the person experiences pleasure in it, so stopping is even more difficult. He
affects children and adolescents in general, and girls in particular. Very young children often manage to stop more easily.
This disorder can be associated with psychological causes such as stress, anxiety or boredom. Trichology, with its holistic approach, recommends consulting a specialist such as a dermatologist or psychotherapist in combination with hair care to reduce inflammation.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune reaction where hair suddenly falls out to leave one or more patches of round, smooth skin. In extreme cases, all the hair on the child’s body can fall out. The origin is often emotional or psychological.
While hair grows back in most cases, the duration of an episode may vary and a recurrence may happen as long as the cause of the problem is not resolved. It is essential to listen to and support your child.
In each case, your Trichology expert will be able to recommend appropriate care that will alleviate your child’s discomfort and take care of his or her scalp.
