Childhood Hair Loss Caused By Chemotherapy And Trichotillomania

By Wong Darren

Hair loss can be a pretty devastating condition to most people. It does not only invoke ridicule but also un-acceptance and too many emotional scars. Imagine having to introduce these disturbing society norms to a child! There could be nothing more upsetting for a child than to know that he is different and the world would not let him fit in.

The conditions that normally trigger hair loss in children are Trichotillomania and alopecia due to being exposed to chemo radiation. Although children may have fewer problems when dealing with hair loss as compared to socially active adults, still, they are not resilient to stares and taunting.

There are some studies that have been made wherein children are encouraged to make their own choices and decisions when it comes to their hair loss. Parents have no right to impose what they want on their children such as forcing them to wear hats or coercing them to go out in public (even if the child does not want to).

Some children may be comfortable to go out in public even if they don’t have a full head of hair. These children may not be perfectly okay with their condition but they just prefer to look natural and do nothing. Some children are more sensitive to curious stares so they choose to wear a hat, hair prosthetics (or wigs) and some even wear scarves. As for the wigs, there are now custom-made products that can be worn by children.

Hair Loss Caused by Chemotherapy

Children who have to undergo chemo radiation have to needlessly suffer from hair loss as well. The good thing about this is, after a month or two of the last chemotherapy session, the patient is bound to grow back his hair. The hair growth may be a little slower than normal hair growth yet the comforting fact is, this condition is not permanent.

Parents could emotionally support their child by asking him what he prefers to do with his hair. Also, the oncologist often has an idea on where to go for hair loss consultations.

Hair Loss Due to Trichotillomania

Sometimes, children are afflicted with a condition where they are not able to control hair pulling. Due to this uncontrollable action, a massive amount of hair is often lost. Trichotillomania was thought to be a rare condition in the past but recently, more and more physicians have diagnosed this condition (1% of the entire US population has it).

Patients suffering from this condition have to know that they are not alone. In fact, there are learning centers whose aim is to educate the TTM patients on what to do and how to be treated. TTM is much like nail biting or skin picking and is a serious condition if left untreated.

Hair loss caused by TTM cannot be treated with the use of the usual topical ointments or creams. It is best to deal with the psychological underlying factor so that the hair pulling would cease and hair loss be stopped. It is advisable for the patient to undergo psychotherapy and to take some anti-depressants.

Parents of such children should be emotionally supportive and patient. Whether the hair loss is caused by chemotherapy or TTM, the results could still be socially demoralizing.

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