Hair Loss (Alopecia Areata)

The condition is an autoimmune disorder. This means your child's immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles as if they were harmful germs. When this happens, the growth of hair slows down or stops. Alopecia areata may also affect the fingernails and toenails.

Symptoms of alopecia areata can come and go over time. They include:

• Hair loss that may begin with one or more round bald spots
• Complete hair loss (possible but not common)
• White spots on the fingernails and toenails
• Nails that appear bumpy
• Brittle nails that split easily

Your child's hair may regrow after several months. New hair may be finer and white and may return to its original texture and color with time.

Hair loss can be stressful, especially during the school-age years. Children and teens may feel embarrassed and self-conscious about their appearance.

Other disorders such as anemia, skin infections and thyroid conditions can also cause hair loss.

Children with alopecia areata may lose and regrow their hair more than once. While there is no cure for alopecia areata, there are treatments to help regrow hair. The hair loss is rarely permanent and the hair usually grows back.

Diagnosis of Hair Loss (Alopecia Areata)

Pediatric dermatologists at Riley at IU Health may perform the following exams and tests to diagnose alopecia areata:

• Physical exam. Your child’s doctor will examine his or her body and scalp. The doctor will look for possible reasons for the hair loss, including underlying conditions such as anemia or thyroid disease.
• Hair pull test. To determine if there is excessive hair loss, the doctor will lightly pull a small amount of hair (about 100 strands) to see how much hair comes out. The normal range is one to three hairs with each pull.
• Biopsy. During a biopsy, a small piece of tissue from the scalp is removed and studied under a microscope to understand why hair is falling out.