Alopecia Areata In Toddlers: Symptoms, Causes And Treatment
This condition generally arises due to insufficient vitamin D or a genetic disorder.
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In This Article
Alopecia areata (AA) in toddlers is characterized by hair loss. It is an autoimmune disorder, and hair loss occurs as the immune system attacks the hair follicles in the body. It may lead to hair loss anywhere in the body but is most common on the scalp (1). Read this post for information on the symptoms, types, causes, and treatment of alopecia areata in toddlers.
Is Alopecia Areata Common In Toddlers?
Pediatric alopecia areata is not uncommon (2). It means that AA can affect a person of any age group, including toddlers. The prevalence rate of alopecia areata is one in 1,000 people worldwide (3). Pediatric cases constitute approximately 20% of all the affected cases, but they need not necessarily happen in toddlerhood.
Symptoms Of Alopecia Areata
If you suspect your toddler has AA, then contact a doctor. The following are the commonly observed symptoms of alopecia areata in toddlers (4).
- Patches of hair loss on the scalp or any other part of the body, such as eyebrows. Hair loss in AA is substantially higher than in normal hair loss.
- The hairless patch reveals a normal, clear skin. The skin gradually smoothens as more hair follicles are lost (1).
- Very rarely, toddlers might complain about burning or itching sensation before the hair loss (3).
- At times, hair loss is also accompanied by nail changes. Nails might develop pits or ridges on them.
- Those with AA might also exhibit other disorders such as atopic dermatitis, hypothyroidism, and vitiligo.
Alopecia areata is a non-contagious disease, which means the toddler will not get it from someone and cannot spread it to others (2). Also, hair loss does not leave any scars on the skin. If you notice inflammation, scarring, redness, and pus formation on the bald spots, then it might be some other skin condition. Consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
Types Of Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata can be classified into various categories depending on the pattern of hair loss. The following are the types of AA (4).
- Patchy alopecia areata is the most common type and is characterized by oval or round hairless patches.
- Reticular alopecia areata is characterized by irregular bald spots often presented in a net-like pattern.
- Ophiasis alopecia areata has a band-like pattern of hair loss. It is usually found on the occipital region (at the back of the head) or temporal region (on the sides of the forehead).
- Diffuse alopecia areata is characterized by a generalized reduction in hair density over the entire scalp. It starts as widespread hair thinning.
- Alopecia totalis manifests as complete loss of hair over the entire scalp.
- Alopecia universalis is a complete loss of hair over the entire body, including the scalp, eyebrow, eyelashes, etc.
Causes Of Alopecia Areata
The exact cause of alopecia areata is unknown (5). It is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the hair follicle, thus causing the hair to fall. The following are a few factors that could trigger alopecia areata (6).
1. Some studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency and other nutritional deficiencies can trigger alopecia areata. However, not all affected people have these deficiencies. Deeper research is required to understand the correlation between alopecia areata and nutritional deficiencies.
2. Alopecia areata is more common in those with a family history of the condition. About 10 to 20% of affected people have close relatives with AA. It suggests that the disorder might run in genes.
3. The following autoimmune diseases and genetic disorders might increase the risk of developing alopecia areata.
- Asthma
- Hay fever
- Atopic dermatitis
- Thyroid gland disease
- Vitiligo
- Down syndrome
Treatment Of Alopecia Areata In Toddlers
The treatment depends on various factors, including the age of the toddler, the extent of hair loss, the duration of hair loss, etc. In some cases, hair may regrow without the need for treatment (5). A doctor might recommend waiting for the hair to regrow before using any medication. A “wait and see” approach may be the best option.
If the hair does not regrow within the stipulated time, then the doctor might prescribe any of the following medications and treatment modalities.
1. Topical corticosteroids
Topical applications of oils, creams, lotions, or gels containing corticosteroids might be prescribed, usually as the first line of treatment for pediatric patients.
2. Topical immunotherapy
It is indicated for cases of chronic and severe alopecia areata. It modulates the local autoimmune attack. About one-third of the pediatric population receiving this treatment has been found to experience regrowth of hair.
3. Pulsed systemic corticosteroids
Intravenous administration of steroids is done for a few days to arrest the underlying inflammatory process (7). Pulsed oral corticosteroids have also been found effective for the treatment of AA in toddlers.
Certain treatment methods, such as intralesional corticosteroid injections, could be painful for toddlers and are usually avoided. Most treatment options are well-researched among adults, but not among toddlers. The healthcare provider will make recommendations based on the individual case.
Tips To Help Your Toddler Through Alopecia Areata
The toddler may not understand the situation. But the grown-ups around the toddler need to take care so that the toddler does not grow up feeling too conscious about the loss of hair. Here are some tips you may follow.
- Sensitize the toddler’s caretakers and teachers about the problem. It can help avert any situations of bullying or harassment when the parents are not around.
- Do not exhibit your worry and anxiety in front of the toddler. Treat the condition as normal and not something to be worried about. Remember, AA only causes loss of hair and does not cause any other health problems.
- Older toddlers can be taught simple sentences to help them explain their peers about hair loss.
- Inculcate healthy food habits in your baby’s lifestyle as nutritional deficiencies might also lead to AA (6).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I pass alopecia to my child?
Although it is believed to be hereditary, some children with alopecia areata do not have a parent with the disorder, suggesting that there could be complex genetic mechanisms contributing to the development of the condition (8).
2. What virus causes alopecia areata?
Suggesting an auto-immune nature of Alopecia areata, a study revealed that it could be triggered by viral infections such as influenza (causing increased production of interferons) (9).
Alopecia areata in toddlers causes hair loss on the scalp and other body parts. It is an autoimmune disease where toddlers experience clear hairless patches and nail changes. The exact cause of this condition is unknown; however, vitamin D deficiency, family history, and other autoimmune diseases are believed to increase the risk. Consult a doctor if your child has this condition. Doctors may suggest topical corticosteroids, topical immunotherapy, etc. Alopecia areata may be reversible in some cases. Treatment is based on the child’s age and the severity of the condition. Since toddlers may face bullying due to their condition, it is essential to discuss it with their teachers and care providers. Encourage your children to be confident about themselves.
References
2. Etienne Wang, Joyce SS Lee, and Mark Tang, Current Treatment Strategies in Pediatric Alopecia Areata; US National Library of Medicine
3. Burhan Engin, Muazzez Cigdem Oba and Yalcın Tuzun, Alopecia Areata; Intechopen
4. William Cranwell and Rodney Sinclair, Common causes of paediatric alopecia; Australian Journal of General Practice
5. ALOPECIA AREATA: OVERVIEW; American Academy of Dermatology Association
6. Jordan M. Thompson et al., The role of micronutrients in alopecia areata: A Review; US National Library of Medicine
7. Aditi Sinha and Arvind Bagga, Pulse Steroid Therapy; Indian Journal of Pediatrics
8. FAQ’s; What Is Alopecia Areata?; National Alopecia Areata Foundation.
9. Taisuke Ito; Recent advances in the pathogenesis of autoimmune hair loss disease alopecia areata; Clinical and Developmental Immunology
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