Summary
Alopecia Areata in children is a non-scarring autoimmune hair loss condition that usually appears as one or more patches on the scalp. It may also affect the eyebrows, eyelashes or body hair. At my Forest Row clinic, I examine your child’s hair and scalp carefully, consider other possible causes of patchy loss and explain what steps may be appropriate.
Alopecia Areata in Children – Specialist Trichology Care in West Sussex
Finding a bald patch on your child can be frightening, particularly when it appears suddenly. You may notice it while brushing their hair, or it may first be spotted by a hairdresser, school nurse or your child.
As a mother and Consultant Trichologist, I understand how quickly parents can become worried, especially after searching online. My role is to listen, examine the hair and scalp carefully and explain what I can see in a calm, age-appropriate way.
What Is Alopecia Areata in Children?
Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition in which normal hair production is interrupted at the follicle. It is non-scarring, which means the follicles usually remain present and regrowth may be possible.
The most recognisable sign is a smooth, round or oval patch on an otherwise healthy-looking scalp. Some children may only develop one patch, while others experience several areas or more extensive loss.
“Alopecia” simply means hair loss, so not every bald patch is Alopecia Areata. Proper examination is important before reaching a conclusion.
Signs Parents May Notice
Signs can include:
- One or more smooth patches of hair loss
- Short or tapering hairs around the edges
- Eyebrow or eyelash loss
- Fine, pale hairs appearing during regrowth
- Small pits or ridges in the nails
- Occasional tingling, itching or tenderness
Some children have scalp hair loss only, while more extensive forms may involve eyebrows, eyelashes or body hair.
Causes and Risk Factors of Alopecia Areata in Children
The exact cause is not fully understood. Alopecia Areata involves autoimmune activity, and some children have a personal or family history of autoimmune conditions.
Illness, fever, major physical changes or emotional stress may sometimes occur before the hair loss, but there is often no identifiable trigger. Stress should therefore not automatically be blamed.
Alopecia Areata is not caused by poor hygiene, normal hair products or wearing a hat. If your child also has fatigue, weight changes, bowel symptoms or other health concerns, these should be discussed with their GP. Blood tests may sometimes be useful but do not diagnose Alopecia Areata by themselves.
Differential Diagnosis: Why Assessment Is Important
Not every patch of hair loss in a child is Alopecia Areata.
Tinea capitis, a fungal scalp infection, can cause hair loss with scale, redness or broken hairs and needs medical assessment. Traction alopecia may result from repeated tension from hairstyles, while trichotillomania can produce irregular areas of broken hair.
Inflammatory or scarring scalp conditions can also cause localised loss. Careful examination helps distinguish between these possibilities and identify when medical referral is needed.
How I Assess Children and Teenagers
A child-focused consultation should never feel like an interrogation. I listen to the parent while also giving the child or teenager an opportunity to explain what they have noticed and how they feel.
We discuss when the loss began, whether it has changed, relevant health history, medication, scalp symptoms, styling and family history.
I then examine the hair and scalp using magnification or dermoscopy, looking for signs of activity, breakage, inflammation or early regrowth.
Real Case Scenarios: A Six-Year-Old and a Teenager
One mother contacted me after a school nurse suggested that her six-year-old daughter might have Alopecia Areata. She had noticed part of one eyebrow was missing and later found a small patch of hair loss above the ear. She became understandably worried by what she found online.
I explained that the child needed a proper hair and scalp examination before assuming the cause was Alopecia Areata. Infection, traction, breakage and hair pulling can sometimes look similar. I also encouraged calm, age-appropriate conversations so the child had space to ask questions without feeling that everyone was constantly watching her hair.
In another enquiry, a family contacted me about a 13-year-old whose hair loss had progressed to larger areas of the scalp and body. At this age, feeling different can be particularly difficult, and the family was considering a wig or partial hairpiece.
Supporting Your Child at Home and School
Children can worry about questions, comments, or simply being noticed. Some are comfortable talking openly about Alopecia Areata, while others prefer privacy. Wherever possible, let your child have a say in what is shared with teachers, classmates or relatives.
Why Choose Shuna Hammocks Trichology for Your Child?
I am Shuna Hammocks, MIT, MRSM, a Consultant Trichologist and Member of the Institute of Trichologists, Registration Number 10060, with more than 26 years of clinical experience. I trained at the Philip Kingsley Clinic in London and have supported many children, teenagers and families with different hair and scalp conditions.
At my Shuna Hammocks Trichology clinic, I take time to understand what has been happening, how your child is coping and what concerns you have as a parent. The consultation is adapted to your child’s age and confidence, with a detailed history and close examination of the hair and scalp.
Please bring any useful photographs, medication or supplement details and relevant test results or letters. After the examination, I explain what I can see, answer your questions and provide personalised guidance. Where appropriate, I may also suggest working alongside your GP or dermatologist.
Families visit me from across East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent and Surrey, and my aim is always to give you a clearer understanding of the situation and sensible next steps without making promises about the outcome.
I feel it is important that the patients suffering from Alopecia Areata understand the prognosis entirely and suggested treatment, I feel it so important for my patients to understand this distressing condition fully.
Book a Children’s Trichology Consultation
If your child has developed a sudden patch of eyebrow or eyelash loss, unexplained breakage or recurring hair loss, a professional assessment can help clarify what may be happening.
Appointments take place privately at my Forest Row clinic, with the consultation moving at a pace that respects both you and your child.
Make an appointment to discuss your child’s hair or scalp concerns.
Address: Willow Treatments Suite, Lower Road, Forest Row, RH18 5HE (Find us on Google)
Phone: 07860 387332
Email: shuna@sussextrichology.co.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alopecia Areata in children contagious?
No. Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition and cannot be passed between children through contact or shared belongings.
Can my child’s hair grow back?
Regrowth is possible because Alopecia Areata is non-scarring.
Can stress cause Alopecia Areata in a child?
Stress or a significant event may precede hair loss in some children, but many have no clear trigger. Stress should not automatically be assumed to be the cause.
Should my child have blood tests?
Not every child needs blood tests, and they do not diagnose Alopecia Areata themselves.
