In the first months of life, due to important fluctuations of the hormonal levels, it is completely physiological that the child loses his hair. However, there are some situations in which this phenomenon can be a symptom of other
The fall of the newborn’s hair is an event that can arouse concerns in the neo-generators. We are used to seeing this phenomenon in adults and the elderly, or in particular medical and psychological conditions, for which see a newborn That loses the hair it may seem strangeparadoxical, if not serious.
In this article we will see why, usually, i babies lose their hairlike this process is completely physiological and which are the alarm bells that must actually make us worry.
Why do babies lose their hair?
To understand the Hair loss process of the newbornwe have to focus a moment on the hair life cycle. We know that the hair, starting from the hair follicle, or the “sack” in the thickness of the skin that envelops their root, grow and stretch (this phase is called “anagen”). Then cross one short transformative phase (“Catagen”) and therefore enter the final phase of life (“togen”), in which they no longer grow and are ready to fall. These phases are regulated and influenced by various factors, including hormones, especially Estrogen and testosterone.
The hair follicles and the relative hair of the newborn develop already during pregnancy, and at birth they are in the anagen phase, that is, of growth.
In the first months of life, probably due to important fluctuations of hormonal levelssome (many, if not all) the hair enters the telogen phase, and therefore the newborn loses the hair. This process It is not characterized by itching or other modifications of the scalp; In short, the newborn does not notice it. Having said that, don’t worry: inside the hair follicle, a new hair will be growing and will soon grow.
When do babies lose their hair?
We therefore understood that the Baby hair loss is a generally normal eventwhich takes place in all children and girls, to a different extent for each since (let’s always remember) each child is unique and different from the others. The timing also vary from newborn to baby, and it is therefore useless to make comparisons between lactants. On the other hand, just look inside a “very small” section of the nest: we will see hair of all kinds and types, thick hair, skulls with few radios and heads that seem shaved, but girls and boys will be completely healthy.
Having made this premise, given the role of the hormones, which flow so widely only in the early stages of life, we know that in general a newborn loses the hair in the first 3-4 months and that the fall stops by sixth month. It is interesting to note that often, in the same period, the loss of the mother’s hair is occurred for similar hormonal motifs.
But How many times the newborn loses his hair? Usually, one! Once this first phase has been overcome, the hair follicles host brand new hair and ready to grow for many years.
Is it normal for the newborn to lose your hair?
«Doctor, Rebecca is 4 months old and is losing her hair behind it, only on the neck! Do I have to worry? » One of the areas where the newborn loses the hair more is that occipitalwhere a large area of glabrous skin can create. Why does this happen?
We have seen that at this age many of Rebecca’s hair entered the togen phase and are ready to fall. Well, it rubbing with the mattressalthough not the direct cause of hair loss in this area, certainly accentuates the phenomenon. We also remember that the position on the belly up, during sleep, is the safest, and it should not be changed for a merely aesthetic problem. What we can do is, however, increase the tummy timethat is, the location on the belly down during the active waking periods, but also limit hair washes, comb them gently, avoid collecting them in queues or braids and use delicate detergents.
As for the milky crust, the advice is to ignore it or at most to soften it, but above all of Do not mechanically remove the scales: Together with them, the hair will also be removed.
So far we have only seen physiological conditions, of normal. However, there are some Pathologies that manifest themselves with hair lossrare cases in which in fact you have to worry. As for the disease of the scalp, parents usually quickly notice that something is wrong. If the scalp appears red, inflamed, if there are pustules or exudate (presence of liquid produced by the body as a result of an inflammatory process), if the lesions are itchy and if the few remained hair is broken in half, then it is good Contact the pediatrician To understand the cause and the relative treatment well.
Another reason to book an appointment from the pediatrician can be the Hair loss after the year of agethe failure to regrify after the year of life or, in general, if there are associated symptoms that worry parents.
