How much hair shedding is normal? Alopecia??

amother

Mon, Jun 12 2023, 7:13 am

I have a few daughters, but one of them send to shed hair constantly. When I style her hair, my
Lap is covered in loose hair afterwards. Whenever she removes her ponytail, there are a bunch of hairs tangled in the elastic. She seems to be shedding as much as I am, and I’m a few months postpartum. She is 7, and has thick wavy hair that she usually keeps back in a pony, bun, or braid.

At what point do I say this is abnormal and needs to be checked out?

(Bh there are no visible bald spots that I can find, I’m keeping my eye out for that!)

amother

Amber

Tue, Jun 13 2023, 8:48 am

following, my 10yo DD, has the same issue, and is paranoid that her hair is falling out

amother

Sun, Jun 18 2023, 8:08 pm

So I spoke to our pediatrician briefly, he said it’s normal and prob a form of alopecia where hair cyclically sheds a lot and grows back (he said it’s highly unlikely that it’s alopecia totalis). He was completely unconcerned and that helped a bit.

But then I gave her a bath tonight, and so much hair came out! Still no specific bald spots, but I can definitely see that her overall hair volume is down. I’m freaking out again!

Anyone have any experience with this??

amother

Milk

Sun, Jun 18 2023, 8:23 pm

amother OP wrote:

My daughter had some shedding last summer and the pediatrician said we need to make sure she’s getting enough protein. Maybe try upping her protein intake and see if that helps.

amother

Sun, Jun 18 2023, 8:31 pm

amother Milk wrote:

My daughter had some shedding last summer and the pediatrician said we need to make sure she’s getting enough protein. Maybe try upping her protein intake and see if that helps.

Did it help? Of all my kids, she is a decent eater. But it can’t hurt to try!
The pediatrician also said to give her a biotin supplement so I ordered that.

amother

Milk

Sun, Jun 18 2023, 8:47 pm

amother OP wrote:

Did it help? Of all my kids, she is a decent eater. But it can’t hurt to try!
The pediatrician also said to give her a biotin supplement so I ordered that.

I believe it did. She’s definitely shedding less now and her hair feels thicker again.

amother

NeonBlue

Sun, Jun 18 2023, 9:03 pm

I know this can be triggered by a dairy allergy (inflammation-which is a big cause of type of alopecia) can you get her tested for food allergies by an allergist? Not just her physician but a specialist. They can do a urine tests and see if anything comes up…

amother

Sun, Jun 18 2023, 9:29 pm

amother NeonBlue wrote:

Interesting.. she is lactose intolerant. Definitely a venue to explore…

amother

Sun, Jun 18 2023, 9:29 pm

amother Milk wrote:

I believe it did. She’s definitely shedding less now and her hair feels thicker again.

Thank you. That’s an easy change to make.

amother

Whitesmoke

Sun, Jun 18 2023, 9:46 pm

Does she brush her hair? I find that when I don’t brush my hair I shed tons in the shower. Or maybe she’s not using a good brush.

amother

Sun, Jun 18 2023, 10:00 pm

amother Whitesmoke wrote:

Does she brush her hair? I find that when I don’t brush my hair I shed tons in the shower. Or maybe she’s not using a good brush.

I brush her hair after every bath/shower and most mornings as well.

amother

Sun, Jun 18 2023, 10:01 pm

amother Aconite wrote:

Maybe her shampoo is too strong?

Is that a thing? She used to have cradle cap and then Android so she uses head and shoulders for dandruff. I can switch her to a regular one now. (Since I have been checking her head more carefully I happened to have noticed that she no longer has dandruff.)

oneofakind

Sun, Jun 18 2023, 10:04 pm

Sometimes tight hairstyles like ponies, braids etc. pull out the hair. Can she spend time wearing it loose?

amother

Sun, Jun 18 2023, 10:33 pm

oneofakind wrote:

Sometimes tight hairstyles like ponies, braids etc. pull out the hair. Can she spend time wearing it loose?

I was thinking about that. It’s most often in a pony, with the occasional braid thrown in… I don’t like it loose because there were many cases of lice in her school this year. I can have her wear it loose at home though.