Hair Loss Diseases in Children and Adults

* Tinea Capitis (Ringworm of the scalp, fungal infection of the scalp): Tinea capitis is an infection of the scalp by mold-like fungi called dermatophytes. Tinea capitis is a skin disorder that only affects children and teens. It can be unrelenting and highly infectious to other children. However, it often disappears spontaneously at puberty.

The fungi that cause tinea capitis infections thrive in warm, moist areas. Children with poor hygiene, lowered immune system, minor skin and scalp injuries are more susceptible to tinea infection.

Tinea infections are contagious and can be passed by direct contact with affected individuals or by contaminated items such as combs, hats, clothing, or similar surfaces. They can be transmitted by contact with pets that carry the fungus (often, cats). - MedlinePlus

Symptoms include: Itching of the scalp, round scaly spots on the skin and scalp, redness and inflammation, bald patches and/or small black dots on the scalp. In extreme cases, pus filled lesions on the scalp may appear.

Contact your doctor if you suspect your child might have tinea capitis by displaying any of the above symptoms. Your doctor will mostly likely prescribe an oral antifungal medicine as well as a medicated shampoo containing selenium sulfide. Pets and other family members who may have come in contact with the affected child should also be examined.

* Alopecia Areata is a type of hair loss characterized by round patches of complete baldness. Although it is unknown exactly how this disease is caused, some evidence suggests that family history, and possibly an auto immune disorder may have a role in forming this disease. Children who are affected by Alopecia Areata will usually regrow their hair back in appoximately 1 year.

Falling under this category of alopecia is Alopecia Totalis and Alopecia Universalis. Totalis causes a complete loss of hair on the scalp whereas Universalis causes a complete loss of hair on the scalp and the entire body.

Although no completely effective treatment method exists, the chances for a full recovery are excellent as the problem seems to go away on it's own. To help reverse the disease, doctors might treat patients with topical or injected steroids to stimulate new hair growth. 

* Telogen Effluvium (Stress related hair loss, temporary hair loss) in children is a natural type of hair loss that usually occurs as young babies shed existing hair to be replaced by more mature hair.

This phenomenon can occur in older children, especially after an illness or due to high stress. This hair loss usually occurs 2 months after the illness and is caused by the normal hair growth cycle being interrupted with more hairs in a resting state then in a growing state. The problem should automatically correct itself in 3 to 6 months. If you observe redness or inflammation of the scalp during what you believe is telogen effluvium, consult your doctor as this might be another form of hair loss.

* Telogen Effluvium in Adults

Adults can also be affected by telogen effluvium and it is usually stress related and therefore, temporary. Telogen is the name of the resting phase for the 3 stage hair growth cycle.

Do not confuse telogen effuvium with genetic hair loss (a very slow process by which DHT attacks the hair follicles). During telogen effluvium, more hairs are going into the resting phase then the normal 10 to 15 percent. This amount can increase to as much as 70 percent of your hair going into the resting phase over a short period of time.

The difference between genetic hair loss and telogen effluvium can be established during normal shampooing and showering. If you notice large clumps of hair coming out in your hands or in the bathtub/shower, then it is probably the telogen hair loss. During normal genetic hair loss, the shedding of hair is so slow that it will probably escape your notice - keep in mind that the average person loses 50 to 100 hairs every day, which is expected and normal.

"The most important issue in telogen effluvium is to determine if an underlying cause for the problem is present. Blood tests may need to be done if the cause is not obvious, such as mild iron deficiency. If the telogen effluvium is caused by a medication, the medication needs to be stopped. When the cause of the hair loss is something like giving birth, a transient illness, or other self-limited problem the induced telogen effluvium is also usually self-limited and requires no treatment." - American Osteopathic College of Dermatology

* Traction Alopecia occurs when the hair is braided too tight or is damaged by some other tight hair styling methods. Read more about: Traction Alopecia

* Trichotillomania is a compulsive disorder by which hair on the head or face is twisted and/or pulled by the person until it is damaged and breaks off leaving patches of uneven hair growth, thin hair areas or baldness.

Women and children are much more likely to have this disease then men and symptoms usually appear before the age of 17. The NIH predicts that up to 4 percent of the American population might be affected by this disease. Although little is known about this disease, the cause is usually related to mental stress and anguish.

According to the National Institute of Health, these symptoms are usually seen in children:

• Constant tugging, pulling, or twisting of hair
• Increasing sense of tension is present before the hair pulling
• Sense of relief, pleasure, or gratification is reported after the hair pulling
• Hair pulling leads to an uneven appearance
• Bare patches or diffuse loss of hair
• Hair regrowth in the bare spots that feels like stubble
• Some individuals may develop a bowel obstruction if they eat the hair they pull out
• Other self-injury behaviors may be present
• People suffering from this disorder often deny pulling out their hair.
  

Since the cause is related to the mind and stress, this disease is more effectively treated with anti-depressants than with direct hair growth solutions.

"Early detection remains the best form of prevention since it leads to early treatment. Decreasing stress in the environment might be beneficial, as stress may increase compulsive behavior." - Medline Plus 

* Chemotherapy Related Hair Loss- Cancer does not cause hair loss. However, the medications that are used to fight cancer can cause hair loss. The good news is not all cancer treatment medications cause hair loss and some patients only experience a thinning of the hair instead of total hair loss. If you have cancer and are taking chemotherapy treatments, ask your doctor if the medication you are taking will cause hair loss.

If you do lose your hair, one thing to keep in mind is this is an indication the medication is working and is fighting the cancer. The good news is the hair will grow back once the chemotherapy treatments cease. However, the hair could possibly be a different shade, texture or fullness.

The American Cancer Society has recommend the following techniques to help you deal with hair loss during chemotherapy treatments.

• Use mild shampoos.
• Use soft hairbrushes.
• Use low heat if you must use a dryer.
• Don't use brush rollers to set your hair.
• Don't dye your hair or get a permanent.
• Have your hair cut short. A shorter style will make your hair look thicker and fuller. It also will make hair loss easier to manage if it occurs.
• Use a sunscreen, sun block, hat, scarf, or wig to protect your scalp from the sun.
• Use a satin pillowcase.