What are the causes of hair loss in children?

The causes of hair loss in children are usually different from adults, and factors such as heredity, hormonal disorders, etc., which are common causes of hair loss in adults, are not common in children.
Common causes of hair loss in children include alopecia areata, fungal infections, alopecia areata, trichotillomania, telogen effluvium, thyroid problems, anemia, head lice and skin parasites, malnutrition and several others. The article examines them.
Autoimmune disease and hair loss in children:
In children with autoimmune disease, in addition to hair loss, eyebrows and eyelashes usually fall out. In these children, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's cells, including the hair follicles, causing the hair follicles to be destroyed. And hair loss. The cause of this disease is not clearly known in medicine.
In the CBC blood test of these children, the level of white blood cells (WBC) and its substructures is usually too normal, which indicates that the immune system is overactive.

Thyroid problems:
Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause hair loss in both children and adults.
Children with hypothyroidism, in addition to hair loss, also experience symptoms such as fatigue, depression, learning disabilities and weight gain. In many cases, iodine deficiency is the cause of hypothyroidism in children who take iodine-containing supplements. And modifying the diet will solve this problem. In some cases, it is necessary to prescribe alternative hormone pills such as levothyroxine.
Hyperthyroidism can also cause hair loss, hyperactivity, insomnia, aggression, restlessness are other symptoms of hyperthyroidism in children.
By performing blood tests T3, T4, TSH, the doctor can check the condition of the child's thyroid gland.

Anemia:
In children with anemia, the blood that contains nutrients and oxygen reaches the hair follicles less and weakens them. Children with anemia usually do not experience severe hair loss and only have thin, brittle hair. Premature fatigue, paleness, shortness of breath with physical activity, lack of concentration and prematurity are symptoms of anemia.
Causes of anemia include iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 deficiency. Blood tests CBC, Ferritin, Iron Serum, TIBC are used to check blood status and iron stores.

Malnutrition:
Another cause of hair loss in children is excessive consumption of snacks such as puffs, chips, chocolate, etc., which are only high in calories and lack sufficient nutrients to reduce appetite and reluctance of children to eat the main meals. This puts children at serious risk of malnutrition.
The main nutrients for hair growth and health are protein, calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, zinc, iron and B vitamins.
It is recommended to get your children accustomed to proper nutrition and use of all food groups from an early age. It is also recommended that you use the right nutritional supplements for your baby under the supervision of a doctor or nutritionist.
Hair loss in children due to fungal infections:
One of the most common causes of hair loss in children, especially in children whose primary health is not observed by their parents. In this type of hair loss, the fungus attacks the hair shaft and causes it to break and fall out.
The shedding site is usually round and the beginning of the hair shaft protruding from the scalp is visible (in the form of shedding).
The child may experience mild itching of the scalp, and dandruff-like scabs may appear on the shed area.
The fungus that causes hair loss can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact with an infected child or by using common items such as brushes, hats, combs, bath towels, and so on.
Children 3 to 10 years old are more exposed to this fungus and boys are more infected than girls.
Treatment: Treatment with an oral antifungal drug called griseofulvin is done for 8 weeks, and your doctor will usually prescribe selenium sulfide shampoo (twice a week) and topical antifungal creams.
There is no need to cut the child's hair during treatment and the child can go to school again after a week of treatment.

Hair loss in children and alopecia areata:
In this type of hair loss, hair in the form of coins in one or more areas or even the whole head begins to fall out. The area usually falls in a circle or oval.
In alopecia areata the child does not experience itching and inflammation and only suffers from hair loss with the mentioned pattern, this disease is not contagious and the affected child is completely healthy.
The cause of alopecia areata is unknown in medicine, and most scientists believe it is related to the immune or nervous system.
According to statistics, 20% of children with alopecia areata have a family history.
Fortunately, with the start of treatment, more than 80% of children see hair regrowth within 12 months. Surprisingly, the hair that grows back may be white, which will return to its natural color over time.
Treatment is sometimes with cortisone injections at the site of hair loss, and your doctor may prescribe topical medications to stimulate hair growth. It is also recommended to take dietary supplements containing zinc and B vitamins during treatment. 

Hair loss in children and alopecia areata:
It is caused by physical damage to the hair and is more common in girls. Human hair is fragile and vulnerable to pressure, stretching, chemicals such as conditioners, over-washing, hair straightening, decolorization, etc. . Hair on the forehead, growth line and sides of the head is often damaged. Also, any action that causes hair extensions can damage both the hair and its roots.
Hair loss in children and trichotillomania:
In this disease, the child shaves his hair obsessively or out of anger and stress. Usually, the hair gets used to it before the child goes to sleep or while reading and watching TV. It is interesting to believe this event. It is difficult for their parents to do their own hair.
In left-handed children, the left side of the head is usually thinning hair, and in the right hand, vice versa, because it is easier for children to pluck hair in these areas, depending on whether they are left-handed or right-handed.
Most children with trichotillomania also suffer from other behavioral disorders such as anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, hyperactivity, hopelessness, and depression.
The treatment of this disease is done by a psychiatrist.
Hair loss in children and telogen effluvium:
Another uncommon cause of hair loss in children is telogen effluvium, which may occur after an illness, high fever, prolonged malnutrition, flu, stress, and emotional problems such as the loss of a family member. In this disease, due to emotional or physical doubt in the child, the hair enters the resting phase from the growth phase and begins to thin and fall out. Hair loss is not regional, but hair loss is common.
If the child is not in doubt again, over time and when the child returns to normal, the shed hair will grow back.
Helping the child to recover mentally and physically and using appropriate nutritional supplements under the supervision of a doctor such as calcium, magnesium, zinc and vitamins D and B can help improve the child's condition.
Hair loss in children and skin parasites:
Lice: Observance or lack of hygiene has nothing to do with the transmission of lice, most people get it from head-to-head contact with a person infected with lice.
Head-to-head contact or the use of blankets, pillows, and towels can infect lice. Lice seek human blood and dirt or cleanliness does not play a role in its transmission. Millions of people get head lice around the world every year.
Head lice are more common in schools and among children 3 to 12 years old, but anyone and at any age can get it.
Head lice alone do not cause hair loss in children, but they do cause severe itching, and if the child burns his head severely, the scalp becomes sore and infected, which can eventually lead to hair loss.
Ticks: Another type of skin parasite that causes hair loss by sticking to the scalp and sucking blood and natural body oil that is secreted to freshen hair.
It is possible to transmit ticks and fleas from pets to humans, such as dogs and cats, so it is recommended that you take your pets to a veterinarian for regular checkups.
Family members of children with skin parasites should follow the relevant hygiene tips and do not use clothes, blankets, hats, pillows, combs and other personal items of the child.
It is also recommended that the baby's quilt and pillowcase be washed daily with water above 40 ° C and ironed if possible.
The child should not go to school until complete treatment because it is possible to transmit skin parasites to other children.