Why Is My Daughter's Hair Falling Out?

Trying to find the cause of hair loss in children can be frustrating.

A small amount of hair loss is natural, as the body grows and loses hair in cycles. There are many reasons excessive or unusual hair loss can occur, which vary in severity and can affect men, women and children of all ages. Although hair loss can be stressful and troublesome for those affected by it, most hair loss is temporary. Most of the time, such loss is due to a hormone imbalance in the body or stress. If hair loss continues longer than a few weeks or involves clumps falling out, consult a physician.

Hair Products and Styles

Although braids are stylish, wearing your hair this way for a long time can result in hair loss and breakage.

A major cause of hair loss is breakage or stress on the hair from hair products or certain hairstyles. The frequent use of chemicals to dye, perm or highlight hair can result in hair loss. Excessive brushing or pulling on hair can also cause hair to fall out. Keeping hair in tight braids or a ponytail can put strain on the scalp and result in loss. Varying the hairstyle each day can help solve this problem. Using hair ties that do not have metal clasps or any other way of getting caught in hair can also help.

Stress

Stress caused by a major exam can result in hair loss.

A major cause of hair loss is stress either due to illness or strains of daily life. Major illness or surgery can strain the immune system as the body heals itself or fights off an infection. During this time, the body may actually produce more hair than usual, as it works in overdrive. This is why it is typical for such hair loss to occur approximately three months following major surgery or illness, as hair usually grows and falls out in three-month cycles. Excessive stress in your daily life can cause hair to fall out and break.

Hormonal Imbalance

One common cause of hair loss is hormonal imbalance due to pregnancy.

A major cause of hair loss is hormonal imbalance. One of the primary causes of hormonally induced hair loss is pregnancy, which results in a surge of the hormone estrogen. Approximately three months following the birth of the baby, the estrogen level in the woman's body drops, sometimes causing hair to fall out. A hormonal imbalance can also be caused by either an under-active or overactive thyroid. Thyroid problems can be easily treated with medications, so consult your doctor.

Nutritional Deficiency

Drastic changes in diet can result in hair loss.

Nutritional deficiency can cause hair to fall out or break, as the body lacks the proper vitamins to keep hair strong and healthy. B vitamins are particularly crucial to provide the hair with what it needs to healthy and grow adequately. Eating a balanced diet and taking B vitamin and zinc supplements can help maintain hair health. Evaluate your diet to see if any recent changes may be behind hair loss, such as a switch to veganism, vegetarianism or a raw foods diet.

Pattern Baldness

Pattern baldness is common among elderly women.

It is not abnormal for some minor pattern baldness to occur among women who have reached menopause, due to the loss of estrogen that comes when they stop menstruating. A doctor should be consulted if there is a possibility you are affected by this problem, as he can prescribe hormone supplements that can help lessen hair loss.

Hair Pulling

Young girls' curiosity can sometimes result in hair loss if they take to hair-pulling.

Another cause of hair loss, especially among young girls, is hair pulling or twirling. Young girls may develop this habit, either because it soothes them when they feel stressed or as a subconscious act of boredom. Breaking these habits can be difficult to do, but the longer this habit continues, the greater the possibility that the hair pulling will cause damage. Very young girls may play with their hair out of curiosity, which can result in hair loss. Young children don't understand that being too rough with hair can result in damage, so it is often necessary to teach them not to play too much with hair. Luckily, once the pulling or twirling stops, hair loss usually stops.

References

• Family Doctor- Hair Loss and Its Causes