11yr old DD seems to be losing her hair

[mckenzie]

Every hair brush is full of hair, every comb.
So tonight I've washed it and treated it and combed it through gently. Then I emptied the comb of all the collected hair and started again.
Even when combing untangled wet smooth hair, it is coming off in the comb.

Might she be deficient in something?

Her hair is quite long; should she have it cut to try and restore the health?

Am I over thinking it?

[Pecena]

Is she stressed? Being bullied? Worried about returning to school?

There are various types of alopecia, not just the two we all know about - baldness in men and chemical hair loss (caused by too much hair dye or chemo for example). A rare type is one that effects anyone at any age, and that can include young girls. It is the type Gail Porter has and stress is often a factor.

Don't panic though - its far too early to start diagnosing that. However, you aren't overthinking it and you should be watching. However, start with finding out if your DD is stressed.

[SnowInLove]

Could she be iron deficient?

[mckenzie]

Thanks for the replies.
She isn't behaving as though she is stressed. Sleeping fine, eating fine, acting normally, no unusual behaviour.

She is starting a new school next week, which I know must be making her anxious to a degree, but she is excited about it mainly.

I will talk with her tomorrow though and check I'm not missing anything.
Thanks again

[FreshHorizons]

Keep an eye on her general health.
DS was very ill at one point and one of the symptoms was loss of hair.
Don't get alarmed- it is probably nothing - just monitor it.

[mynameisnotmichaelcaine]

I always lose loads of hair at this time of year. I have stopped thinking I'm going bald now!

[braceybracegirl]

I've had this recently it was iron and b12 deficiency. I would take her to Dr for blood test. Is she often tired?

[PerspicaciaTick]

My DD lost a lot of hair at the end of Y6, especially along her hairline. TBH, by the time we realised the extent of the problem it was already beginning to grow back. She now has a lovely fringe.
I'm not sure if it was SATS stress or hormones or what...but hopefully your DDs hairless will resolve itself as quickly.

[GoldFishFingerz]

Test iron

[mckenzie]

Thanks for all the replies.
Is a blood test the only way to test for iron levels?

Freshhorizons, I hope your DS is better now,

[FreshHorizons]

Yes- thanks but it was scary at the time. He had a week in hospital and antibiotics straight into the vein sorted it thankfully.
An iron test is simple- you always get one at the start of a blood doning session and it is just a prick on the finger takes seconds.

[PoshPenny]

My daughter was really unwell for about a week, bad enough that I was on the phone several times to NHS direct about her fever and other stuff, but it was decided it was a virus and it did pass. 3 months later her hair started to fall out by the handful and it went on for weeks and weeks. I ended up cutting it short as it looked terrible. Then it stopped falling out just like that. Could it be some weird post illness thing like my daughters?

[RunningLulu]

She might be starting her period soon. My dd hair did the same a few months prior. A good multivitamin with iron and vitamin d should sort it out. Oh and fish. Lots and lots of it!

[mckenzie]

Thanks for the extra posts.
Sorry to hear about your daughter poshpenny. DD has t been unwell at all as far as I can remember.
Runninglulu, don't say that . I keep looking at her recently and thinking how grown up she's getting. She's my youngest and I want her to stay a child forever.

[RunningLulu]

Haha I was a nervous wreck after my dd started hers. She's my only girl and it's amazing how quickly she's grown!