Why is my child losing hair?
Finding a bald patch on your child, or handfuls of hair on their pillow, is frightening. It may be you who notices, or a hairdresser, school nurse or your child themselves.
Hair loss in children has different causes from adults. Pattern hair loss is rare before the teenage years, and infections, habits and nutrition play a much bigger part. Almost every cause has a clear explanation and a plan.
As a mother, I know how worrying this is. I see children with a parent, and the consultation goes at a pace that suits your child.
The short answer
The most common causes of hair loss in children are scalp ringworm, alopecia areata, hair pulling, tight hairstyles, and shedding after an illness or from low iron or other deficiencies. Most are treatable, and the hair usually grows back. A GP check is always the first step for a new bald patch.
What causes hair loss in children?
Use this to see what your child’s hair loss might point to, then read the guide for that condition. Teenagers can also get pattern hair loss: see hair loss in teenagers, below.
| If you notice… | It could be |
|---|---|
| Round, smooth bald patches that appeared suddenly | Alopecia areata |
| Scaly or flaky patches with broken hairs or black dots | Scalp ringworm (see a GP) |
| Irregular patches with broken hairs of different lengths | Trichotillomania (hair pulling) |
| Thinning at the hairline or temples from tight buns, braids or ponytails | Traction alopecia |
| Hair coming out all over, a few months after an illness, fever or operation | Telogen effluvium |
| Thin hair that won’t grow long, in a fussy eater or a fast-growing child | Low iron or other deficiencies (below) |
| A small triangle of thin hair at one temple since early childhood | Temporal triangular alopecia (below) |
| Greasy, crusty scales on a baby’s scalp | Cradle cap |
| An itchy scalp, especially behind the ears | Head lice |
| Hair that snaps, frizzes or won’t grow past a certain length | Hair breakage |
Can vitamin deficiency cause hair loss in children?
Yes. Hair is one of the first things the body cuts back on when it’s short of nutrients, so a deficiency can cause shedding, slow growth or thin hair that won’t grow long. It’s more likely in fussy eaters, children on restricted or vegetarian diets without careful planning, during growth spurts, and after illness.
- Iron: low iron stores (ferritin) are the most common deficiency linked with children’s hair loss.
- Vitamin D: common in the UK, especially in winter and in children with darker skin.
- Protein: hair is made of protein, so too little in the diet shows in the hair.
- Zinc and vitamin B12: less common, but worth checking in some children.
Please don’t give supplements, especially iron, without a blood test and your GP’s advice. Too much iron is dangerous for children, and supplements a child isn’t short of won’t help their hair. Blood tests for hair loss.
How long does regrowth take?
Once a deficiency has been put right, shedding usually slows within two to three months, and new growth starts to show within three to six months. Hair grows about a centimetre a month, so length takes longer.
One six-year-old I saw had hair that simply wouldn’t grow past her chin. Blood tests through her GP showed low iron stores. With her iron put right and more iron-rich foods in her diet, tiny new hairs appeared within a few months, and within a year her hair was growing well past her shoulders. Her own words were that she “no longer looked like a boy”, which says a lot about how much hair matters to children.
Shedding after a high fever or illness works in the same way: it starts two to three months after the illness, and recovers on its own. Telogen effluvium.
Temporal triangular alopecia
Temporal triangular alopecia is a small, triangle- or oval-shaped patch of very fine hair at one temple, or occasionally both. It’s usually noticed between the ages of two and nine, often when the surrounding hair thickens, and parents may say it has “always been there”.
- The patch stays the same size and doesn’t spread
- The skin is normal, with soft, fine hairs in the patch
- It doesn’t itch or hurt, and isn’t caused by illness, diet, pulling or poor care
- It isn’t catching
It’s often mistaken for alopecia areata or traction, which can lead to treatments that won’t help. A close look at the hairs in the patch usually confirms it.
Temporal triangular alopecia is harmless and needs no treatment. Many families simply style the hair to cover it. For a few, a dermatologist may discuss options when the child is older.
Hair loss in teenagers
Teenagers get the same hair problems as adults, with the added pressures of school, exams, sport, hormones and social media. Hair loss can hit confidence hard at this age, so it’s worth taking seriously.
Shedding
Exams, illness, a growth spurt, poor sleep or crash dieting can all trigger shedding two to three months later. Telogen effluvium.
Pattern hair loss
Inherited thinning can start in the teenage years: at the temples and crown in boys, and as a widening parting in girls. Male pattern · Female pattern.
Periods and diet
Heavy periods, cutting out meat or food groups, and restrictive eating can leave teenage girls low in iron. Talk to your GP if you’re worried about eating.
Hormones
Irregular periods, acne and extra facial hair alongside thinning can point to PCOS. PCOS hair loss.
Styling and damage
Tight ponytails, extensions, bleach and straighteners cause breakage and traction. Hair breakage.
Gym supplements
Anabolic steroids, and some supplements that contain them, can speed up pattern hair loss in young men who are prone to it.
Shedding and early pattern hair loss can happen together, and they need different approaches, so it helps to know which it is. I see teenagers with a parent, and I explain things directly to them, not just to you.
Supporting your child
- Let your child have a say in who is told, at school and in the family. Some like to talk about it; others prefer privacy.
- Try not to check their hair constantly. Calm, age-appropriate conversations help more than close watching.
- Hats, headbands, a new style or a wig can help a child feel more confident while hair grows back.
- Watch for teasing, and let the school know if it happens.
- If your child seems very anxious or low, talk to your GP.
How I can help
At a consultation in Forest Row I listen to you and to your child, then examine their hair and scalp gently. We go through when it started, their health, diet, any illnesses, how they style their hair, and how they’re feeling.
You leave knowing what’s causing it and what to do next. If blood tests or medical treatment are needed, I’ll write to your GP. Please bring photos of how the hair has changed and any test results. What happens at a consultation.
When to see your GP first
Please see your GP or call NHS 111 if:
- your hair loss came on suddenly and you feel unwell
- your scalp is very painful, swollen, weeping or bleeding
- you have patches of hair loss with redness or scarring that are spreading quickly
- you think a new medicine may be the cause. Don’t stop it without speaking to your doctor
You can still see me as well. I’ll happily liaise with your GP if further tests are needed.
Questions about hair loss in children and teenagers
If yours isn’t here, send me a message and I’ll get back to you.
Is hair loss in children common?
It isn’t rare. Ringworm, alopecia areata, hair pulling and shedding after illness are the most common causes, and most are treatable.
Which vitamin deficiency causes hair loss in children?
Low iron stores are the most common. Low vitamin D, protein, zinc and vitamin B12 can also play a part. A blood test through your GP shows which, if any.
Should I give my child vitamins for hair loss?
Only if a blood test shows they need them, and with your GP’s advice. Iron in particular must be given at the right dose for a child.
Can stress cause hair loss in children?
It can play a part in alopecia areata and hair pulling, and illness or upheaval can trigger shedding. Many children with hair loss have no obvious trigger.
What causes hair loss in toddlers?
Rubbing the back of the head on the mattress, cradle cap, ringworm, alopecia areata and shedding after a fever are the most common causes in toddlers.
When should I take my child to the GP?
For any new bald patch, a scaly or sore scalp, hair loss with other symptoms such as tiredness or weight change, or if your child is unwell.
Will my child’s hair grow back?
In most cases, yes. Once the cause is found and treated, children’s hair usually recovers well.
Let’s find out what’s going on
Book online at a time that suits you. If you have a question first, send me a message.