Treating Hair Loss

• Alopecia areata – Whether your child has bald patches or has a total loss of hair on the head or all over the body, it may be comforting to know that the hair can grow back on its own. But then it may fall out again. If you think your child has this condition, make an appointment with a dermatologist. The dermatologist can make a diagnosis and may be able to suggest treatments to help the hair grow back faster. In the meantime, your child might want to wear a scarf or cap to cover the bald patches.
• Androgenic alopecia – Unfortunately, there is no cure for balding and hair loss. But there are two common treatments which work for many people: minoxodil, a lotion applied to the scalp that men and women can use; and finasteride, a pill approved for men. Other options are wigs and hair restoration surgery, such as a hair transplant.
• Hairstyles and cosmetic treatments and devices – If you or your child have hair loss and wear ponytails or braids, use chemicals to color, straighten or curl the hair or use a flat iron to straighten the hair, the treatment is simple enough. Take a break from that hairstyle or process.
• Scalp ringworm – This condition can be treated with prescription medication that kills the fungus that causes it.
• Telogen effluvium – The good news is telogen effluvium is almost always temporary. Because the hair grows back, there usually is no treatment. However, it’s important to determine the cause, which a dermatologist can help you do. In some cases, the dermatologist may be able to recommend treatment.

Next: Excess Hair in Adults