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Step
3 - Treatments for Children's Hair Loss
Review the only proven treatments for reversing or stopping the
three most common forms of childrens hair loss.
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First
Steps to Combating Children's Hair Loss |
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In Step 1 we discussed the most common types
of children's hair loss: Alopecia Areata, Tinea Capitis, Traction Alopecia,
Trichotillomania, and Telogen Effluvium. If your child's condition does
not fit into any of these categories, please review the Alopecia's section
on our site for other conditions.
In Step 2 we established the importance of
finding a qualified dermatologist, and the ways to help ensure an accurate
diagnosis from your physician.
Now, in Step 3, the assumption is that you have already been to a physician
and received an accurate diagnosis. Of the five types of children's hair
loss covered, three have treatment options which involve products or physician
intervention. We will cover these here.
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Treatments
for Children's Tinea Capitis
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Children's Tinea Capitis: Fungal
infection of the scalp, appears as a bare patch of skin on the head,
sometimes with itching or scaling. Typically contracted from other children.
Antifungal Treatment: Since Tinea Capitis
is a fungal infection, oral and topical antifungals are recommended
for treatment. The oral antifungal used is called Griseofulvin.
It is a prescription available only through your physician, and is typically
taken for up to 8 weeks.
Selenium Sulfide shampoo, used twice a week, has been shown to shorten
the course of Tinea Capitis. Topical antifungal creams usually do not
help in killing the fungus and shaving the hair or giving the child
a close haircut is unnecessary. Even though the infection is still visible,
a child with Tinea Capitis may return to school after oral medication
is started and the scalp receives at least one washing with shampoo.
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Treatments
for Children's Alopecia Areata
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Because the hair loss can sometimes be psychologically devastating for
the child, dermatologists have tried many different medications in an
attempt to stimulate new hair growth. Treatments sometimes involve cortisone
injections into the hair follicles.
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Treatments
for Children's Telogen Effluvium
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Topical steroids of the mid to high potency range are
the most commonly used treatment which may affect a response within 1-2
months. Why some patients respond to these steroids while others do not
is both unknown and the subject of much research. Other agents used include
anthralin which is a synthetic tar-like substance which causes a mild
irritation of the skin inducing hair growth.
Minoxidil has had mixed reviews when in comes to how effective it is.
A new agent, Diphenylcyprone (DCP), is currently being extensively studied
and positive results are being reported. However, most investigators do
not use DCP in children under 12 years because of side effects and safety
issues.
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