2 year old daughter with TE

Question
QUESTION: Hello Melanie.



I began noticing my 2 year old daughters hair thinning about 5 weeks ago. She was just getting a decent amount of hair (not quite ready for pony tails) She is now thin all over her head, scalp showing. I'd guess 70% hair loss. Needless to say I'm a devastated and scared mommy. The pediatrician and a dermatologist both have said TE although no specific trigger has been determined. She's had a bout with croup 6 months ago, strep throat 5 months ago and her 2 yr immunizations 4 months ago, a bout of something that I didn't take her to the doctor because it was a fever of 101 and a cough, I called the office and they said if it got worse to bring her in. She also had the H1N1 vaccine Dec. 6th. She had blood work that came back normal. Both doctors are saying there is nothing I can do for her, to wait it out and she should start to re grow hair in a month or so. In the meantime she continues to shed hair daily(she doesn't have much left) I'm just hoping and praying it will grow back. I've been to your site on essential oils. I would love to do something to help my daughter or to speed up her growing process. Is this something that affects many her age and are her chances good for regrowth?

Thank you for any advice.



ANSWER: Hello Nicole:

Your daughter has been through a lot in the last 6 months, between the croup, strep throat and multiple immunizations (possibly at a time when her immune system was weak) medications, antibiotics, fever, etc.  Anytime the body feels overwhelmed with too much to deal with, the hair can be affected. If your daughter has telogen effluvium, it could have been triggered by the fever, infection, immunizations, flu shot, or a combination of all. Telogen effluvium is not real common in small children but it can happen.

These types of disturbances can also trigger alopecia areata in those who are genetically predisposed to the condition. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition which causes hair to fall out in patches. More severe forms (alopecia totalis or universalis) can cause all-over hair loss rather than the typical patches.

Another condition which causes hair loss (onset most common in preschool aged girls with blond hair) is loose androgen syndrome. With this condition the hairs are not properly anchored into the follicle and can shed very easily. Usually the hair is sparse with slow growth.

If you are not completely satisfied with the diagnosis, it may be helpful to seek out a hair loss specialist to examine your child.

You can massage her scalp with a very light and mild essential oil formula. I can help you with this if you're interested. Please let me know if I can help you further.

Sincerely, Melanie Vonzabuesnig



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------



QUESTION: Melanie,

I am hopeful it's TE, but I'm afraid now I'm more worried since you mentioned that it's not common. The dermatologist said it's not Loose Anogen Syndrome, I asked him about that. I hope it's not Alopecia Areata. She has her eyebrows and eyelashes. If it would be that, can she get her hair back? And yes, I'm interested in a mild essential oil formula that would be safe to use on her.

I don't believe we have a hair loss specialist near us. We are in Indiana. How could I locate one?

When typically should I begin to see new hair growth? She's been shedding for at least 6 to 8 weeks?



Sorry for all the questions. I feel pretty helpless.

Nicole


Answer
Hello Nicole: Although telogen effluvium is not very common in children, it is becoming more common in all age groups. Because of all she's been through in the past six months, telogen effluvium could be possible in her case. With telogen effluvium it can take 3-6 months (after the body has adjusted to the disturbances) to see new hair growth.

With alopecia areata, there is always potential for regrowth as the follicles remain alive and undamaged. Please send me your email to my my email (vz1@verizon.net) so we can discuss a formula for her.

Sincerely, Melanie Vonzabuesnig