If you are worried that your child is suffering from hair loss, you are likely to have been scouring the internet for potential causes and solutions. One cause you may have come across is fungal infection, but can this really cause hair loss in children?
The short answer to this question is yes – fungal infections of the scalp can cause children to lose their hair in patches through a condition called Tinea capitis. This condition, also known as ‘ringworm of the scalp’ often occurs in pre-pubertal children, and it is uncommon in adults. It is also more likely to occur in boys rather than girls.
Symptoms to look out for
If your child has Tinea capitis, you will notice one or many of the following symptoms:
• Scaly or thickened swellings
• Expanding red rings
• Dandruff
• Severe itching of the scalp
• Bald patches
If you notice these symptoms or any others indicative of hair loss, it is important to take your child to your GP or hair loss specialist for a formal diagnosis.
Treatment
Treating Tinea capitis is relatively straightforward, as it simply requires a safe and affordable medication to be taken orally by the affected child over a period of six to eight weeks.