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
Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.