As children head back to school, parents just want to know that their kids are happy and looked after. But the truth is that school brings a number of stressors into kids’ lives. Kids are under constant pressure to perform, whether academically or athletically. They’re also subject to peer pressure, the latest trends and fads, and external factors such as fears surrounding the pandemic or other illnesses. Could these school-based stressors lead to children developing alopecia?
Alopecia in Children: The Facts
The American Hair Loss Association reports that 3% of all kids’ visits to the doctor are regarding some form of hair loss, also called alopecia[i]. Common forms of hair loss in children include:
Alopecia areata – smooth, bald patches which may spread to cover the whole head.
Tinea capitis – inflamed, red patches caused by the same fungal infection as ringworm.
Trauma – constant rubbing, tugging, pulling, or breaking of the hair can cause hair loss or, at the very least, damage the condition of the hair. This could be a symptom of trichotillomania, a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder where hair out relieves stress.
Telogen effluvium – stress, trauma, illness, or injury can lead to an excess of stress hormones such as cortisol. This can interrupt the hair’s growth cycle, leading to excessive shedding occurring two or three months after a period of stress. The longer the stress continues, the more hair loss will occur.
How School Causes Alopecia
It’s clear that stress plays some factor in the onset of alopecia in children. Here are just a few of the possible contributors to pediatric alopecia and how you might deal with them as a parent or guardian.
Bullying
Bullying takes many forms and can be verbal as well as physical. These days it often occurs online. Encourage your kids to be open about who they’re interacting with online and talk to them regularly about how they feel about school.
Exams
Kids are often under enormous pressure to do well in exams. Make sure they know that the outcome of exams won’t affect how proud you are of them, and consider following up a period of exams with something fun to do as a family.
Teacher Conflicts
Sometimes pupils and teachers simply don’t get on. These types of conflicts of personality can be very stressful for children as the teacher is in a position of authority and always seems to have the upper hand. If you notice teacher behavior that seems more bullying than fair, consult your school’s principal.
Isolation and Loneliness
During the pandemic, many children lost touch with friends and might have difficulty fitting back in. Try arranging out-of-school meetups to help your child re-socialize.
Nutrition
Is your child eating a healthy lunch at school? Studies show that alopecia is partly due to nutritional factors in some cases[ii]. Ensure they eat plenty of protein, plus fresh fruit and vegetables for vitamins and minerals.
If your child is struggling with alopecia, Custom Hair can help. To schedule a free consultation, click here.
Photo Credit: StockSnap Via Pixabay
[i] https://www.americanhairloss.org/children_hair_loss/introduction.html
[ii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6790931/