TRICHOLOGICAL SOLUTION FOR CHILDREN’S HAIR PROBLEMS
HEALTH
TRICHOLOGICAL SOLUTION FOR CHILDREN’S
HAIR PROBLEMS
TRICHOLOGICAL SOLUTION FOR CHILDREN’S
HAIR PROBLEMS
Shivali, like all
mothers, wanted to give the best to her son, Neel. At the same time, like all
mothers, she also expected the very best from Neel in everything he did. Be it
studies, computers, swimming, cricket, elocution and so on. Consequently, the
young 12 year old, Neel, was always under constant pressure and stress which Shivali
as a mother could never observe, see or feel. Until one fine day, while oiling
Neel’s hair, she spotted a one rupee coin size patch at the back of his scalp.To her horrors, her Trichologist
described this patch as an auto immune reaction brought about by stress leading
to a stress related baldness called Alopecia Areata. More and more young
children in today’s modern world are coming up with stress related symptoms of
hair such as Alopecia Areata and Trichotillomania.
Alopecia Areata: Children with this condition have a
complete loss of hair in one to three areas of the scalp, sometimes up to two
inches in diameter, without scalp redness or scaling. Another finding can be
pitting of the nails in children with this condition. Why the hair falls out
from the roots is still a mystery. What is known is that the condition is not
contagious, nor caused by foods, this is an auto immune problem The main cause
is stress, physical or mental. In 20% of cases another family member has been
affected. Because the hair loss can
sometimes be psychologically devastating for the child, immediate help is a
must. It is advisable to consult a trichologist who is best qualified to tackle
hair related issues and will treat the problem with specific amino acids.
Oddly, the new hair may temporarily be white, but eventually the hair returns
to its natural colour.
Alopecia Totalis:
This is the next stage of Alopecia Areata. In this a person starts losing hair on
the entire scalp.
Alopecia
Universalis: This is the next stage of Alopecia Totalis. In this a person
starts losing hair on the entire scalp
and total body hair including eyebrows, eyelashes & moustache.
Pseudopelade: This is a stage which comes when the above three
stages are crossed. In Pseudopelade, non scarring Alopecia becomes scarring
alopecia in which the hair roots are dead and there is no chance of re growth.
In this the skin of the scalp becomes like a horse shoe.
Trichotillomania: This is
a condition in which a child actually pulls the hair out, leaving an irregular
patch of hair loss with broken - off hair of different sizes, mainly on the
scalp, but may involve the eyebrows and eyelashes as well. The habit of pulling
out one's hair is usually practiced in bed before falling asleep or when the
child is studying or watching television. Interestingly, parents are usually
not aware of the habit and frequently find it hard to believe that their child
would pull out their own hair. Affected areas of hair loss often appear on the
left side of right-handed children and on the right side of left-handed
youngsters. Most cases of trichotillomania resolve spontaneously. The best
treatment is to ignore the hair pulling and concentrate on why the child is
anxious, nervous or frustrated. Since it is a psychological problem connected
with the hair, treatment will involve counseling by your Trichologist.
Problems of Hair Related to Hygiene
Lice: Lice are a very common problem,
especially for kids ages 3 years to 12 years (girls more often than boys). Lice
aren't dangerous and they don't spread disease, but they are contagious and can
just be downright annoying. Your child might find it hard to concentrate on
their studies and to sleep, because they are so busy scratching their heads.
Thes bites may cause your child's scalp to become itchy and inflamed and
persistent scratching may lead to skin irritation and even infection. For some kids, the irritation is mild; for
others, a more bothersome rash with crusting and oozing may develop. It's also
not unusual for kids to develop some swelling of their lymph glands. Excessive scratching can
also lead to a bacterial infection (the skin would become red and tender around
the bite area).
Dandruff: Dandruff is the result of the
normal growing process of the skin cells of the scalp. Shedding of dead skin
cells from the scalp at an excessive rate is the result of the normal growing
process of the skin cells of the scalp. In a normal scalp, the process of
sloughing off old cells and manufacturing of their replacements is very orderly
and complete. In the dandruff scalp, there is mass disorder and often the
departing cells are not dead before leaving the scalp. Dandruff can cause
either an overly dry scalp with itchy white flakes that may be waxy or greasy
or dandruff can manifest as an oily greasy scalp with scales. Dandruff is
usually seasonal. It is most severe during the winter and mildest during the
summer. Dandruff scales usually occur as small, round, white-to-gray patches on
top of the head. Scaling can occur anywhere on the scalp, in the hair, on the
eyebrows, the beard and can spread to the neck and shoulders. Dandruff is often
known as "dry scalp", but people with oily scalps tend to suffer the
most. An oily scalp also supports the growth of P. ovale. Since dandruff is a
natural process, it can not be eliminated. It can only be managed and
controlled.
Tinea capitis: or "ringworm" is a common
cause of hair loss in children. The condition is caused by a fungus (not a
worm!) that invades the hair shaft and causes the hair to break. It can cause
patches of hair loss, with broken- off hair (black dot ringworm), scales,
enlarged lymph glands, or the formation of a kerion, a large, red, boggy nodule
on the scalp. There may also be mild scalp itching and scaling. Ringworm of the
scalp is not dangerous. Without treatment, however, the hair loss can be
considerable and some children will develop a boggy tender swelling of the
scalp known as a kerion. The condition is transmitted by contact, from one
infected child to another through the sharing of combs, brushes, hats,
barrettes, pillows and bath towels. Minor bruising of the scalp occasionally
provides an entry for the microscopic fungus. Children three to ten years of
age are more susceptible to Ringworm Infection and boys are affected more than
the girls.
Problems of Hair among teenage children due to fashion:
Traction
alopecia: or
physical damage to the hair, is especially common among girls. The human hair
is quite fragile and really does not respond well to the many physical and
chemical assaults it has to endure in the name of beauty. Constant teasing,
fluffing, combing, washing, curling, blow drying, hot combing, straightening
and bleaching can do a number on the fragile hair, causing them to fall out,
especially those by the hair line and along the front and sides. Styles that
apply tension to the hair, such as tight ponytails, braiding, barrettes, and
permanent waving can also damage the hair.
Problems in new born children:
Toe Tourniquet
Syndrome: Increased hair loss a few months after
delivering an infant is a common postpartum condition known as
telogen effluvium. A much less common condition involving young
infants is the hair-thread tourniquet syndrome, or toe tourniquet
syndrome, which involves hair or thread becoming so tightly wrapped
around a toe or finger that pain, injury, and sometimes loss of the
toe or finger. Accidental cases involving human hair almost always
involve the toes, and usually occur at the age when mothers are
experiencing excessive hair loss. This association is significant in
that anticipatory guidance of new parents experiencing rapid hair
loss may prevent cases of the toe tourniquet syndrome and its
associated problems.
Thus, hair related problems are not only
limited to common hair problems such as hair loss but may affect children
leading to severe hair & scalp disorders ultimately affecting the
confidence of a young child. Tender loving care, proper food habits, good hair
hygiene, allowing the child to grow up normally without putting peer pressure
and a regular hair checkup with a Trichologist is a must for all young growing
children.
Written
by Dr. Apoorva Shah, Founder, Richfeel Trichology.
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