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Hair and Scalp problems

Hair and scalp problems are pretty common in childhood. And, because of their location, they are problems that people notice.

The chances are that you are going to have to deal with at least one bout of dandruff, cradle cap or head lice at some point in your child’s formative years.

Be prepared

Alternatively you might be concerned that your child’s hair looks very thin or sparse, or that your child seems to be losing more hair than you might normally expect.

In most cases, these are conditions that can be easily cleared up with treatment at home. But very occasionally, a problem with your child’s hair can indicate an underlying medical condition.

It’s worth knowing how to treat simple hair and scalp problems yourself – and when to seek medical advice.

How your child’s hair grows

Some babies are born with what looks like almost a full head of hair. Others might look virtually bald at birth. Both are completely normal – as are all variations in between.

Don’t be alarmed if your baby is born with abundant locks which then start falling out. A newborn’s hair often falls out at around the age of three months and then gradually grows back. Interestingly, a baby’s ‘second’ crop of hair is often a different colour to the first.

Your child will eventually develop a full head of hair – on average, each human head will have around 100,000 hairs. Every hair grows for three years, at a rate of 0.4mm per day, before dropping out and being replaced by a new one.

Thin hair

If both parents have thick hair, you might be concerned if your child’s hair looks thin and sparse. In fact it’s not unusual for a child’s hair to look sparse up until around the age of three, and for it then to thicken up in the next few years. Most children who seem to have relatively little hair in the first years do develop a normal head of hair.

Occasionally relative baldness in early childhood can indicate a permanent problem with hair growth. There are several rare conditions which can be present at birth, or can develop in the first few months of life that can be linked with this. Most of these conditions are genetic, but parents are not always affected themselves.

There will almost always be other associated problems including abnormalities of the teeth, skin, nails and face. If your child is normal in every other way apart from relative baldness, there’s nothing to worry about. If you are concerned that your child may have other symptoms too, talk to your GP.

Hair loss

Your child will naturally lose hair – it’s normal for 50-100 strands to fall out each day. Hair loss is a problem when a noticeable amount of hair falls out. There are lots of possible causes.

Sometimes a medical condition can be linked. For instance:

• Iron deficiency anaemia, where there aren’t enough red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body, can be linked with hair loss. Toddlers, especially those who are fussy about food and who don’t take in much dietary iron, are at risk of this.
• Some fungal infections of the skin can affect the scalp, causing itchy flaky patches and hair loss.
• Alopecia areata, a condition in which hair falls out in patches, can affect children. Hair falls out leaving round, smooth patches on the scalp. The cause is not known. In most cases, the problem can be treated and the hair grows back.

If your child is losing clumps of hair, it would be worth talking to your GP who could check for these conditions. Treatment could stop your child losing more hair.

Other causes

There can also be other reasons for hair loss:

• If your child wears their hair in a ponytail or plait it can cause the hair to break, especially if it’s pulled tightly.
• Hair breaks easily when it’s wet – combing or brushing wet hair too much can damage it, making individual hairs break. It is best to comb your child’s hair when it is dry.
• If your teenage son begins to lose hair, it could be down to male-pattern baldness. This is hereditary hair loss and thinning. The first stage is a receding hairline. The hair then gradually thins and falls out. This gradual hair loss can happen in men any time from their late teenage years.

If your child is losing hair and there is any doubt over the diagnosis or treatment, you could ask your GP for a referral to a dermatologist.

Dealing with dandruff

This is where the skin across the scalp becomes dry and flaky. You might notice tiny white flakes on your child’s shoulders and clothing. Consider whether there’s anything that could be contributing to the problem. For instance, do you use a mild baby shampoo on your child’s hair? Shampoo intended for older children or adults might be too harsh, and could be irritating your child’s scalp.

Dandruff can be controlled with the use of a medicated anti-dandruff shampoo which will be available from your local pharmacy. Talk to your pharmacist about whether there are any brands suitable for children.

Alternatively you could try putting a drop of tea tree oil in a teaspoon of olive oil, massaging it into your child’s scalp, shampooing normally then brushing the flakes away.

If this doesn’t clear the problem up, see your GP. Your child may have an underlying condition such as seborrhoeic dermatitis (a form of eczema), or psoriasis (a skin condition).

Cradle cap

Cradle cap, also known as infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis, is a form of eczema and it’s very common in babies. It means a baby develops distinctive brownish or yellow scaly patches on the scalp.

It’s a harmless condition and won’t cause your child any discomfort. To get rid of the scales, rub olive oil or baby oil into your baby’s scalp and leave it overnight. The next morning, comb your baby’s hair with a fine comb. The scales should be loose enough for you to be able to simply comb them out.

Head lice

Head lice are irritating but common. The lice are tiny brown-ish insects around 3mm long – roughly the size of a sesame seed. They lay their eggs (nits) at the base of hair follicles. They can’t jump or fly, but simply walk from one head to another, which is why they‘re especially common in children between the ages of four and 11 who work and play closely together.

An itchy scalp is the sign most people think of, and you should be suspicious if you see your child repeatedly scratching. The most effective treatment is wet combing.

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