Hair and Nails

QUESTION:

Hi Dr Dunlop,

My friend suggested that I contact you. I'm looking for some advice on next steps for my daughter. She has started to get bald patches in her hair and we're not sure what's causing it.

I have requested a blood test from 3 GPs but they won't give me a referral and want me to see a paediatrician to get one. She had a full head of curly hair in May and since July/August the patches began to appear and it became thin all over.

ANSWER:

Dear K,

Thanks for your question and for visiting Kids Consult.

I agree that the hair loss is significant, and I also agree that a blood test is a sensible thing to do. Although I have to say in most cases those bloods end up being normal.

I see kids with hair loss frequently, and in most cases it is what we call a prolonged telogen phase ie a prolongation of the normal hair loss phase, that ultimately corrects itself.

But bloods would exclude any nutritional or metabolic causes and is a good place to start.

Regards,

Dr Scott Dunlop
Consultant Paediatrician

BACK TO CATEGORIES