Alopecia Areata is a type of hair loss that occurs when the body's immune system attacks the hair follicles. It appears as bald, circular patches on the scalp, giving it the commonly referred to name ‘circular hair loss’. The circular bald spots are smooth and do not necessarily cause irritation, as the inflammation occurs under the skin.  

Some children may experience periods where their hair falls out and then regrows again repeatedly. If this occurs, we recommend noting the duration between the onset of symptoms and the interval of re-growth on a weekly basis. Speak with your children and ask them if they have noticed the patch before. The sooner you identify the symptoms, the easier it is to care for.

Caring for Alopecia Areata in children:

Rest assured, approximately half of children experiencing Alopecia Areata will grow their hair back without the use of treatment. It is worthwhile however to introduce a care plan, to maximise the chances of maintain growth. Unlike some medical treatments, our products are made from natural ingredients and are specifically designed to care for even the most sensitive of scalps. Considering a natural approach is safer for children and is in many cases more effective.

Ringworm is one of the most common infections among children that causes hair loss. It is highly contagious and displays worse symptoms in children than adults. Unlike the name, Ringworm is not caused by a worm but by a fungal infection passed on through soil, animals, and other humans.

The infection appears as ring shaped patches on the scalp and skin and causes scaling, reddening, inflammation, and crusting to the infected area. The symptoms usually appear after around 2 weeks of the child being in contact with the infection and differs in appearance for every child.

Caring for Ringworm in children:

Although we promote natural ingredients wherever possible, we recommend seeking advice from a medical doctor to reduce your child’s case of ringworm. If left untreated, symptoms can worsen, and specific chemicals are required to counteract the infection. Ringworm can be incredibly uncomfortable and itchy for a child, so we advise seeking support as quickly as possible.

For post ringworm care, use mineral-rich shampoos that are kind to the scalp and help to naturally encourage growth back to the area. Avoid over styling your child’s hair and give it the fuel and time to heal itself. Our shampoos for hair loss and general scalp maintenance are designed to encourage growth back gently and naturally.

Traction alopecia refers to hair loss that is caused by long term tension or pulling of the hair. When the hair is over styled or excessively handled, the scalp is stretched which leads to breakages. Pulling on the hair loosens roots which interrupts its growth cycle, causing hair to prematurely come away from the scalp. 

Children that wear tight ponytails, braids / plaits, and poorly placed extensions are more likely to develop symptoms. Prolonged tension on the scalp leads to potential scalp trauma. The affected areas can be itchy and irritating and can cause children to scratch the area which leads to inflammation. When children scratch the inflamed area, follicles are loosened which heighten the inflammation and eventually leads to hair loss.  

Caring for and preventing Traction Alopecia

Whenever possible, let your child’s hair hang lose and allow time to regrow. To encourage hair growth at home, use child-friendly, natural products that enhance the scalps ability to rejuvenate itself. YELASAI hair care is expertly designed to naturally promote hair growth without the use of silicones, synthetics, or hormones. Give your childs hair the best chance of acheiving longevity. 

Dandruff and scalp irritation is common in adults and children. Introducing daily scalp brushing as part of your child’s care routine can help to reduce levels of dandruff. Read our Scalp Brushing guide for more information.

For controlling dandruff and scalp irritation, we recommend our expertly designed hair care range. We also have care sets for balancing greasy hair which help regulates oils on the scalp with natural vitamins and minerals.