Hair Loss
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Oct. 2001
I have been worried because I have been finding hair on my the pillow of my
22 month old daughter.
Its not massive hair loss but enough to worry. She has been having a
problem with dandruff which
I have been treating by regular shampoos and lukewarm coconut oil being
massaged into her scalp regularly.
I have almost certainly ruled out lice and wondered if anybody had advice
to offer?
Nan
I forget what the term is for this condition, but there is a baby brush you
can buy to gently scrub your babies scalp to get rid of the dry skin. It
doesn't hurt them. From my daughter's reaction to it, it must have felt
good. You need to do it everytime you wash the babies hair. I have seen this
in a lot of babies and also some small children. I stuck with Johnsons Baby
Shampoo and made sure it was completely rinsed out and I stayed away from
the oils because it was actually contributing to the problem. The thing is
you want to get the excess dead skin off your baby so the new skin can
breathe. The oil tends to clog up the hair folicles. After about a week or
so, her scalp was much healthier. I could see the difference. Your doctor or
nurse practitioner can tell you where to find the brush or tell you their
recommended method for dealing with the condition. I know there is also a
medicated shampoo they can prescribe, but only really severe cases require
it. Your best bet is to call your doctor's office in case the condition
requires medication. Marianne
I recommend that you discuss this with your daughter's pediatrician. Dry
skin/dandruff and hair loss can be symptoms of a number of problems related
to the endocrine system and can point to auto-immune disorders. I don't
mean to alarm you. Hair loss for example is often a symptom of a thyroid
disorder which can be managed very easily.
Elysse
To the mom concerned about hair loss in a small child: Assuming your
child will be seen by one competent physician if not more, you may
also ask about nutrition. The body usually sacraficies those things
they least need if nutrient deficient. When it comes to protein
deficiency, the hair (loss) and nails (soft) are the first to go.
Also, sometimes stress could cause hair loss. Another reader
mentioned thyroid problems, which is more likely than auto-immune
disease which is more rare at this young age. p.s. when it comes to
nutrition... I find that clinical dieticians at hospitals are much
more apt at evalutions of diets than physicians who do not get much
education if more than one or two courses in med school in nutrition.
Good luck. Anonymous
Sept. 2004
About a month ago we noticed that our daughter was losing quite
a lot of hair, especially on the top of her head. Once she had a
head full of curls, and now it is very thin on top, almost bald -
like a middle aged man's receding hairline. I also notice that
the texture is changing - from curly to straight. Her
pediatrician was not concerned about this, but has recommended
we see a pediatric dermatologist to rule out any skin condition,
and we are scheduled to see the dermatologist in late October.
However, she continues to lose more hair every day, which is
causing me much worry. Her doctor has ruled out a thyroid
problem, but agrees the continued loss is unusual. Has anyone
experienced anything like this?
Worried Mom
[no replies received]
April 2001
Has anyone had experience with a five and 1/2 year old who has suddenly begun
shedding copiously? My daughter has always had thick long hair and over the
past 3 weeks LOTS of it had ended up in the hairbrush and the bathtub. I don't
see evidence of too much breaking in the middle, and we don't pull it back any
differently than we have done in the past. But her hair is noticeably thinner and
lack luster. When I brought this concern to the pediatrician they said that unless
scalp is showing I shouldn't worry. Though I'm not usually a worrier, I feel that
this is not an adequate response when something about a growing child has
changed significantly, especially when the dr. hasn't even examined the child
(and didn't think it was necessary) I don't know much about hair. Does this
happen when hair hasn't been cut for a long time? Could it be due to lack of
protein in the diet? (daughter won't eat meat, but she does eat chicken, dairy,
peanut butter and tofu). Can it be hormonal changes in a almost six year old? I
have read that anemia or hyperthyroid conditions can lead to hair loss. Any
insights? I don't really want to wait til she's bald to get the attention of the
doctor; should I insist on tests, or am I worrying about something that happens
naturally? Thanks!
Laura
My daughter had significant hair loss when she was around 2 1/2. I hauled her off
to a dermatologist (they are, oddly enough, the specialists for
hair-related issues), and it turned out that the hair loss was the result of a high
fever that my daughter had had about three months before. Apparently, this is
not an uncommon reaction to high fever, particularly in children.
Annie B.
I sent this question on to my folks, two recently retired pediatricians
with vast knowledge about childhood diseases, and my mom's response is as
follows: " The medical term is 'alopecia' and there are many causes, some
medical and some psychological - I have not checked out the Mayo Clinic
site but it is a good starting place - the other is the National Library of Medicine -
has a section for the public. Sounds as though this should be investigated
further." Hope that is useful.
Deborah
Sept 2006
My hair has been falling out dramatically (probably one third
is now gone) over the past four months.I am not really stressed
out about anything. Regular blood tests have turned up o.k.
Now my hormones are being checked. I feel that I have lost
circulation in my scalp and have neck pain that radiates up to
my head. Sometimes I have headaches on the top of my head.
when I put on shampoo, my head feels itchy. I don't have any
noticable dandriff or critters. I have acne rosacae whose flare
up coincided with my hair loss. I also started swimming.
Chlorine connection? Anyone have any thoughts to help me get to
the root of the problem here, literally? suggestions on tonics,
etc? I just started accupuncture. Need help before I'm bald
a mom with more than just a bad hair day
Did you recently go off birth control pills?
Sounds really hormonal.
Also, perithyroid problem cause this. Do some research on it.
Siple to remove it.
Good luck
christina
What you're going through is really upsetting and understandably causing
you a lot of anxiety. I'm not a medical person, but my grown daughter
had this happen recently. The blood tests requested by the OB/Gyn
revealed very low estrogen. The predominance of testosterone accounted
for the hair loss. I did a lot of reading online about hair loss (men
and women) and all indicators point to testosterone. My daughter was
under a lot of stress at the time (not a small amount due to her hair
falling out!). After that discovery, the strategy on how to regain a
normal level of estrogen was up to the OB/Gyn and her (you). Some
doctors prefer non-drug approaches, some prefer birth-control pills
which boost estrogen. It's a very, very upsetting period you're going
through. My daughter's hair is thinner now than before, but she still
has OK hair thickness----it used to be very thick. It seems doubtful
her original thickness will ever be regained Anon
About a year ago I, too, had quite a bit of hair loss of the kind you
are describing -- large bald patches (diagnosed as ''alopetia areata'').
My doctor referred me to a dermatologist, who gave me one round of
steroid injections in my scalp. It worked perfectly, and within 6 weeks
the hair started growing back. Since then, I have had complete regrowth
and no recurrence. Before seeing the dermatologist I had researched
alopetia areata, so I knew that these steriod injections were the
standard first line of treatment.
I happen to have been diagnosed earlier with an auto-immune thyroid
condition called Hashimoto's Tyroiditis, and while my thyroid level has
always been in the normal range and I have no real symptoms of the
disorder (it just showed up in a blood test), the dermatologist felt
sure that the hair loss was somehow related to my thyroid. So, even if
your hormone tests come back fine, the dermatologist told me that you
can still have hair loss that's related to very subtle hormonal changes.
A note about the steroid injections: they aren't very painful (just a
brief stinging), and they're safe -- the steroid doesn't enter your
bloodstream. I felt comfortable doing them even though I was
breastfeeding once a day at that point; both the dermatologist and a
lactation consultant assured me that injections in the scalp don't
enable the medicine to enter the bloodstream.
Good luck! I know that hair loss is psychologically difficult to deal
with No longer going bald
Didn't anyone tell you how normal it is to lose your hair after
childbirth? Mine started falling out at around four or five months post
birth and is still falling out at eight months.
Handfuls of it. Apparently you're constantly growing and losing hair,
but when you're pregnant the cycle gets out of whack and you stop losing
it. Then a lot of hair falls out at once when you've given birth.
Anon
May 2003
I have had tremendous hairloss and constant dandruff since my
baby was 4 months old, over 4 years ago. I have seen a couple of
dermatologists, had my thyroid test, everything seems normal.
When I use the prescription strength dandruff shampoos, my
dandruff goes away, as soon as I try to switch to something less
drastic, it comes back. The hairloss has never stopped. The docs
say they don't see any bald patches so they don't really have an
answer. But the sheer volume of hair I lose every time I
wash/comb/brush my hair scares me. I always have hair on my back,
even when I haven't combed my hair all day.
Could I be balding already? I recently turned 30.
I am looking for any recommendations for herbal
remedies/alternative medicines (and where I can obtain them) that
may help my condition.
Thank you,
RJ
Chinese Medicine is often very good for hair loss. You don't say
whether you are a man or a woman, but in either case, their are
numerous syndromes in Chinese medicine where hair loss is a sign or
symptom. Especially for women, it is common after pregnancy and birth,
often due to Blood deficiency. Stress can also be a big factor, and the
stress of having a baby is a big one. Herbal supplementation can help
correct the problem over time. There is not one remedy I can tell you to
go and buy. Chinese Medicine takes the whole person into
consideration, and an herbal formula is prescribed of anywhere from 2-
20 herbs in a combination that is just right for you. If you don't already
have/know a Licensed Acupuncturist/herbalist, I would be happy to help
you. You can see more about me in the database at Acupuncture.com.
Rhoda Climenhaga, L.Ac. , network mom of a 9 year old
rhoda
Sept 2004
In the last few years, aside from the period of pregnancy, I've
noticed my hair getting thinner and thinner. I've always had a lot
of very fine, curly hair that looks a lot thicker than it is. But
when I neared 40, it seemed my hair fell out more and that it just
isn't as thick and curly as it once was. Not many people can tell;
but I can see more of my scalp and my ponytail is much thinner.
I've been to two dermatologists who tell me I don't have female-
pattern-baldness, just thinning that occurs with age. I'm still
breastfeeding and am reluctant to try Rogaine. And I'm not talking
about post-partum hair loss, though I had that too. Has anyone
else experienced this? Any suggestions for a nutritionist,
herbalist or western medicine practioner?
I would suggest seeing your primary care doctor and asking about
thyroid testing (or ask to be referred to an endocrinologist).
My mom had the same problem several years back when she was in
her 50's, and her doctor discovered her thyroid levels were out
of whack. She now takes thyroid medication, and her hair's much
thicker again.
Heidi
It sounds like you may want to get your thyroid checked.
Thinning hair is one of the more common symptoms of an
underfunctioning thyroid gland, and it is also very common after
pregnancy. You also may want to check out your progesterone
level -- this starts to drop around age 35-40 and low levels can
also cause an increase in hair loss. It's common for many
hormones to be out-of-whack after pregnancy, but they can be
rebalanced once you know what is going on.
Tara
With the same hair structure as you (curly but thin & dry), I
have been experiencing similar thinning and increased hair loss
in the recent 1-2 years. It continued after the massive post-
baby hair loss. In addition, my hair went darker and almost
straight after giving birth until weaning at 14 months - so now
I have curly breaking ends, slow curly new growth, and straight
middle sections that lie flat among the frizzies...
Just commiserating, no patent solution so far, so I'm curious
to hear what others recommend.
Weird stuff on my head
I am 38 and my hair is thinning too, leaving noticable (to me)
bald spots that follow the more typical ''widows peak'' male
pattern of hair loss. My dermatologist has ruled out diet and
thyroid as causes. He said that Rogaine is the only known
treatment at this time, but since I am nursing and plan on at
least one more pregnancy it will be years before I can try it.
I'd be curious to know if others have had success with
Rogaine. BTW - my dermatologist said not to waste my time on
the ''for women'' version. He said it is too weak.
anon
June 2002
This is NOT about hair-loss after childbirth as my child is 2.5
I have been loosing my hair for several months. Never had a
great mane (I have fine hair) but now I am starting to see my
hairline receding very fast and too many hair around the house.
I am 44 and this might have something to do with it but I am in
good health, I do not dye/perm my hair, I do not take
medication.
have you experienced the same? any good remedies? effective
vitamin/mineral supplements? effective treatments? doctors to
recommend? direct experiences with minoxidyl (Rogaine) or other
over-the-counter products and their (scary) side effects?
goldilocks
My sister and I had hair loss when we were even younger. We had
it before we were pregnant with our first child. Around age 32.
I remembered my hair was thinning and some close
friends/relatives asked (worried) about my bolding spots. I
talked to my physicians about it and she mentioned that it could
be stress. I definitely think it was, I had a stressful job at
the time and worried about my financial situation. I started
going running again regularly to reduce stress (Taichi or Yoga
would be better for relaxation I think, I was not into it at the
time and running was free), also uses nioxin products on my
hair: Bionutrient cleanser (shampoo), Scalp Therapy
(conditioner), Bionutrient Treatment (hair tonic). Seems to help
reduce the hair loss right away (in couple of weeks). My hair
grew back probably in 6 months. I still uses Nioxin and it's
been at least 5 years now. I've never experience another bad
hair loss again (even when I gave birth). My sister on the other
hand, did Rogaine and other hair tonic. The hair loss stopped,
but her hair never grew back. From my sister's experience, I
avoided using Rogaine Once you used it you can't stop. If you
stop you will loss your hair again. I heard from some people
that Rogaine has improved their formula for women, but I was not
willing to take the risk. Hope this helps.
pl
Had it not been for hair loss, my thyroid condition would never
have diagnosed. I had no other obvious symptoms of any illness.
Don't let anyone tell you it's caused by ''stress''. Hair loss in
women is usually hormonal. Once a thyroid condition was
diagnosed and I began taking medication I also started taking
evening primrose oil, which I believe helped with hormonal
balance and slowed the hair loss.
Mary
I suggest that you have your thyroid checked. Hair loss can be a
symptom of a thyroid problem. It was for me.
Beverly
One thing to check is your thyroid level--especially if you're
also experiencing dry skin, low overall energy-level, weight
gain and/or sensitivity to cold. Your doctor can check it with
a blood test.
Elise
Hormone changes can contribute to thyroid malfunction. Getting blood tests (whole thyroid panel is best) and/or taking your
basal body temperature for the 2nd-4th days of one's menstrual cycle (normal is 97.8-98.2F). This ''test'' is done with a non-
digital thermometer in the armpit first thing in the morning for 10 minutes. Shaking down the thermometer the night before
is recommended so no activity influences the reading. Thyrosol, a supplement by Metagenics, sea vegetables and animal protein
can help support low function, if you prefer to avoid medication.
Nori
Nov. 2002
I'm a 39 year old female and my hair is starting to thin. My
hairdresser suggested rogaine and I would like to know if it
really works and whether there are nasty side effects. Has any
one tried a different product that worked? Thanks.
My mother is a hairdresser and buys Nioxin for herself and
my father who is sixty and hasn't had hair in 30 years. After
using Nioxin for a couple of years he needs to use a comb
now (poor dad in a chrome dome). She takes classes on
the product to know how to use it and give advice on it.
Check into your beauty salon or supply and see how they
can educate you on the product. It can't hurt, it is a shampoo
and conditioner and other products, such as scalp therapy.
Another suggestion... it could be internal, you might also
want to have an all-over exam including blood work. Maybe a
nutritionist or Chinese medicine practioner can also be of
some help.
janice
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