Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes Hair Loss In A Toddler?

Hello I have taken my 2 year old to the GP and I m not sure I m satisfied with the answer. The other day I noticed, close to the hair roots on a patch of his head about the size of a largish coin, what looked to be some kind of food stuck in his hair. I went to try to pull out the food and the hair came out very easily - no resistance whatsoever - my son didn t even notice. It came out in 3 clumps and now there is a small round bald patch on his head, and the skin is a little crusty still but does not look irritated. I m now assuming the food was clumps of dry skin. The doctor smiled when I asked if it might be alopecia and said most likely it s due to an essessively dry patch of skin on the scalp, and he prescribed some medicated shampoo. I ve since searched extensively on the internet and cannot find anything on the type of hair loss my son has experienced (coming out so easily and completely in one patch) being due to a dry scalp. I can only find that a dry scalp may cause a bit of thinning. Conversely, I have read that really in these cases a blood test should be carried out. Am I right to doubt the GP s assessment? Thank you
posted on Sat, 12 Aug 2017
Twitter Thu, 28 Sep 2017 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 28 Sep 2017 Last reviewed on
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,

I have gone through the medical history of your 2 year old and understood your concern.

As per your data, the dry skin on his had is toddler eczema. It appears at the age of your son. This dry patch has caused his hair to lose when you tried to remove it forcefully.

Do not worry. Follow the advice given by your GP. Keep washing his hair with the shampoo as suggested.

If still no improvement, keep following up with dermatologist.

All the best.
I find this answer helpful

1 Doctor agrees with this answer

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Causes Hair Loss In A Toddler?

Hi, I have gone through the medical history of your 2 year old and understood your concern. As per your data, the dry skin on his had is toddler eczema. It appears at the age of your son. This dry patch has caused his hair to lose when you tried to remove it forcefully. Do not worry. Follow the advice given by your GP. Keep washing his hair with the shampoo as suggested. If still no improvement, keep following up with dermatologist. All the best.