Hair Loss

When To Call

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

• Your child looks or acts very sick
• You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

• Scalp is red and very swollen in area of hair loss
• You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

• Scabs or crusts are present in the hair
• Ringworm of the scalp suspected. (round patch of hair loss with scales, rough surface, redness or itching)
• Broken hairs from tight hair style and pimples are present in scalp
• Patch of hair loss and cause not known
• Widespread hair thinning and cause not known
• Hair loss from nervous habit of twisting the hair (needs counseling)
• Hair loss is a chronic problem
• Normal hair loss suspected, but doesn't grow back within 6 months
• You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

• Newborn normal hair loss in infancy
• Hair loss on back of head from chronic rubbing and friction
• Hair loss from tight hair style
• Widespread hair thinning follows a major stress about 3 months ago

Care Advice

Newborn Normal Hair Loss in Infancy

What You Should Know About Newborn Normal Hair Loss:

• Newborns are born with varying amounts of hair.
• The baby hair of many newborns falls out during the first 6 months of life. Hair loss peaks at 3 months old. The mother may also lose some of her hair at this time.
• This baby hair is then replaced by permanent hair.
• The normal hair comes in between 6 and 12 months.
• This shedding phase in newborns is always normal.
• Hair loss is not caused by shampoos.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Hair does not grow back by 12 months old
• You have other questions or concerns

Hair Loss on Back of Head from Chronic Rubbing and Friction

What You Should Know About Rubbing Off Hair on Back of Head:

• Babies can rub off a patch of hair on the back of the head. This most commonly occurs in infants 3 to 6 months old.
• The hair loss is from friction during head-turning against a firm surface. Examples are crib mattresses, playpens, activity mats and infant seats.
• The hair grows back once the baby starts to sit up.
• This may take 6 to 12 months.
• Can also occur in any bedridden child (e.g., severe cerebral palsy).

Treatment for Hair Loss from Friction and Too Much Time on Back:

• After 1 month old, give your baby more tummy time.
• Caution: tummy time should always occur under adult supervision. Reason: risk of suffocation until child reaches an age when can turn over.
• Tummy time has many benefits.
• It will help the back of head become more rounded and less flat.
• It will also build up strength in shoulder muscles.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Hair does not grow back by 6 months after learning to sit
• You have other questions or concerns

Hair Loss From Tight Hair Style

What You Should Know About Hair Loss from Tight Hair Style:

• Symptoms: broken hairs are seen at the hairline or where the hair is parted. It's usually the same on both sides of the head.
• Cause: if hair is pulled too tight, it will eventually break. This gives a frizzy look from hairs broken off at various lengths.
• Examples: it's most commonly seen with tight braids, pony tails or dreadlocks. Hair can also be lost because of vigorous hair-brushing or back combing. Hot hairstyling tools can also cause hair damage. Can also occur during exercise while wearing head phones.
• Hair loss is not caused by shampoos.

Treatment of Broken Hairs from Tight Hair Style:

• Change the hair style to one that doesn't put tension on the hair.
• If that is not okay, loosen the ponytail or braids.
• These hair styles are at risk if they feel tight or cause any pain.
• Outcome: if tight hair styles are avoided, the hair will return to normal.
• Warning: if tight braiding continues over 10 years, permanent hair loss can occur.

Pimples in the Hair and on the Scalp:

• Cause: most pimples are caused by blocked hair follicles.
• Treatment: stop using any ointments or oils in the hair. Reason: they block the hair follicles.
• Stop any hair style that puts tension on the hair. Reason: damages the hair follicle and makes it prone to infection.
• Wash any ointment or greasy pomade off the scalp with soap and water.
• Antibiotic Cream: apply an antibiotic cream to the pimples. Do not use ointment. Use it 2 times a day for 3 days. No prescription is needed.
• Outcome: most pimples will clear up in 3 days.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Hair does not grow back by 6 months after hair style changed
• You have other questions or concerns

Widespread Hair Thinning Following Major Stress About 3 Months Ago

What You Should Know About Hair Loss after Stress:

• Symptoms: lots of hair is noticed in a comb or brush. The hair falls out from all parts of the scalp. This leads to major thinning of the hair, but no bald spots.
• Cause: severe stressful event. Hair follicles are very sensitive to physical or emotional stress. Examples are a high fever, severe illness or surgery. Also, an emotional crisis or a crash diet can be triggers. In pregnant teens, the stress can be childbirth. Hair loss is not caused by shampoos.
• Time Frame: the hair begins to fall out about 3-4 months after a severe stress. It continues to fall out excessively over the next 3 or 4 months. After hair stops shedding, the hair will slowly grow back. This can take 6 to 8 months for all the hair to grow back. The whole cycle takes about 12 months.
• There's no way to hurry the process. The hair growth cycle needs to run its course.
• Here is some care advice that should help.

Hair Care:

• Treat the hair gently.
• Wash the hair no more than once per day. Always use a hair conditioner.
• Comb the hair rather than brushing it.
• Be careful at combing out any tangled hair.
• Avoid any tight hair styles such as braids or a pony tail.
• Don't put tension on the hair.
• No special shampoo or cream is needed or helpful.

What to Expect:

• No more than 50% of the hair will be lost.
• Once it starts to regrow, all the hair will grow back in about 6 months.
• The new hair will look normal.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Hair does not grow back by 12 months after stressful event
• You have other questions or concerns

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