Why do children lose hair? 2026

Every day, between 50 and 100 hairs are lost, which go unnoticed because there is a perfect balance between the hair that falls out and the hair that comes out and because, furthermore, the loss does not occur in a single area. Lost hair is replaced by new ones that are in the growth phase.

If, for some reason, hair loss intensifies in a specific area of ​​the scalp, a sparse area known as alopecia or baldness appears.

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Hair loss can occur for many reasons, but in children it can be a cause of greater concern for both parents and children. Even so, approximately 60% of cases recover their hair through some type of treatment. They can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a year, depending on the state you are in.

Children who lose hair must not only be treated physically for the problem itself, but also psychologically to prevent them from suffering from some problems linked to their self-esteem. Among the most recurrent symptoms are school and social withdrawal, rejection of one's body image, refusing to go out, feeling ashamed and a long etcetera.

Children who have this type of problem should be treated the same as adults who have alopecia so that it does not cause any short or long-term damage to the child's personality, and they must be made to understand that when they recover, their hair will return normally, so there is no reason to worry.

Causes of hair loss in children

This bald spot usually lasts about two or three months, then the hair begins to grow to cover it again. You should consult a doctor, although no treatment is necessary. The causes are not known.

It is a scalp disease in which the sebaceous glands produce more sebum than normal (seborrhea), then a fatty layer is formed that prevents the development of the hair follicle and promotes hair loss. It is advisable to consult with a dermatologist.

Dogs and cats (especially stray ones) can transmit ringworms, fungi that affect the scalp, by touching them. They produce bare areas, with cut, diseased and brittle hairs. They are well corrected with a treatment based on antifungal creams, which must be prescribed by the pediatrician.

Some nervous children pull their hair, almost always in a specific place, for example, the bangs or the back of the neck. You will have to find out with the help of a psychologist what is causing you anxiety.

Certain chronic diseases, especially if they cause protein deficiency or iron deficiency anemia, also promote hair loss, which subsides when the cause is treated.