Hair is one of the teguments designed by nature. It is not just a covering but hair also provides a distinguishing look to the human frame. Hair is fixed deep in the skin. It begins to grow when the fetus is in the womb. Some children are born with thick, dark and long hair while some are born with scarce and thin hair. Children’s hair takes its own pace to grow and there is nothing abnormal in it.
Some infants have very less hair when they are born and they appear bald until they become toddlers when hairs start growing at rapid pace.
What Causes Children’s Hair Not To Grow Properly?
Before the age of two years, many children are known to have fragile and thin hair. Frequent rubbing, tossing and turning can easily lead to hair fall in infants. It is a normal event that can impact the growth of child’s hair. If the child is older and hair is not growing well, it can be due to following causes:
- Genetics: Genetics has major influence on hair growth and its structure.If there is a family history of slow hair growth, than the child may also have slow growth of hair. For example many Caucasian children are bald until the age of two.
- Infants often lose their hair in first year after birth. Tossing and rubbing can cause loss of hair as they are more fragile during this period. The hair may take time to regrow in some children after losing it.
- The hair fails to grow if the child is suffering from fungal infection on his scalp. It may also cause hair fall. Tinea capitis or ringworm is often associated with hair loss or failed hair growth in children. Seborrhea and cradle cap are two other skin condition of scalp that may be responsible for baldness in children. Anti-fungal creams and ointments usually cure the condition.
- Alopecia areata: It is an autoimmune disease. Hair starts falling leaving behind distinguished patch of baldness. It can occur in toddlers and younger children. There is no certain cure for this condition, but hair definitely grows to its normal after one or two years.
- Hair growth can take its toll in children deficient of nutrients. There can be stunted hair growth in children suffering from protein energy malnutrition and iron deficiency anemia. This problem is not common in developed countries but there are many children suffering from malnutrition in developing countries.
- Excessive styling of hair, frequent brushing and combing can damage the roots of hair. Eventually the hair roots become weak and hair falls leaving behind bald patches. Parents should therefore avoid using hair styling materials or brushing too frequently their children’s hair.