Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bahunuthula
Dermatology
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
My 6-year-old daughter has been experiencing diffuse hair loss for the past few weeks. The hair loss is at least double than normal, in the 200 range, and it falls extremely easily from her head. It is not patchy and I can find no bald spots, her scalp looks healthy. So far, the loss is not noticeable. Her iron, thyroid, and blood count, are normal. The week before this started we were on vacation. She spent the week in the sun and pool. Her scalp did receive a minor burn that peeled, but it healed quickly. Three months ago, she used a lice shampoo. Nothing else in her history explains this. She does have minor eczema and seasonal allergies. Any idea what is going on and when it will stop?
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
From your history, it appears that your child's hair loss is because of acute telogen effluvium. This is an acute condition, wherein any radical change in the health condition of the person leads to insult to the scalp hair, causing a shift in the hair cycle from the growth stage to shedding stage. This results in such massive number of diffuse hair loss. However, the best part of it is that it is totally reversible. Once the impacting factor is identified and removed, the hair tends to grow back to its normal state. In your case, it could be any event of stress such as an exam or change in the lifestyle, etc. There is no need to panic as it responds very well. All you need to do is identify if there is any probable trigger and if so, then make all necessary precautions to remove it. And at the same time, provide adequate nutrition for hair growth, such as multivitamins containing Biotin and Pantothenic acid. This whole process may take three months for complete recovery.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
Could it be from any of the triggers I noted? There is nothing else in her history that explains this.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Yes, but it is less likely, a history of head lice can be a possible trigger. As the iron, thyroid and other counts are normal, it would be easier to recover though.
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