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Original poster

Toddler alopecia? Bald spot on head. Help please!

27 replies

WineGetsMeThroughIt · 01/06/2021 20:33

My 3 year old daughter has developed quite a significant bald spot on her head towards the front and I feel like it's getting worse by the day - I only noticed it 2 days ago. I'm freaking out as she has the lost gorgeous long hair down to her bum. It's obviously too late to make a Dr Appt but I will first thing tomorrow. But can anyone tell me if they've had experience with something like this? Will it get worse? Can it be reversed? I'm really worried for her.

Blurry pic from tonight's bath - she wouldn't stay still

Toddler alopecia? Bald spot on head. Help please!
Toddler alopecia? Bald spot on head. Help please!
OP posts:
Ilovemaisie · 01/06/2021 20:37

My daughter had a bald spot aged about 2 - it was a fungal infection. Got some cream from the doctor and it cleared up. If you can't see a doctor soon maybe get a pharmacist to look at it.
(My girl didn't have much hair in general back then so the bald spot made her look like a medieval monk)

Original poster
WineGetsMeThroughIt · 01/06/2021 21:17

Thank you. I'm panicking because I know first hand how attached and defined I am by my long hair. Perhaps shallow, but it's true. I'm so worried for her and the thought she could loose it all is making me freak out.

She has recently suffered an allergy to something which caused her to scratch herself on her body so much she's scarred herself. Either dairy or dust mites seem to be the issue. We've cut out dairy entirely and she's been on a bunch of strong steroid creams and antibiotics as well. So am thinking if it was an infection the antibiotics would hopefully have killed it. But this has only just appeared. I wonder if they could be linked some how??

OP posts:
Goodebe · 01/06/2021 21:45

Check that’s not an area being pulled by a hair slide as this is what happened to my dd, I realised she was yanking the slide out and hair from the same patch was coming out every day until she had a very thin patch on the top of her head.

Goodebe · 01/06/2021 21:46

From the pic it just looks like the way the hair is lying and parting so hopefully it’s nothing much more than that.

Original poster
WineGetsMeThroughIt · 01/06/2021 21:51

@Goodebe

Check that’s not an area being pulled by a hair slide as this is what happened to my dd, I realised she was yanking the slide out and hair from the same patch was coming out every day until she had a very thin patch on the top of her head.

I wouldn't think it's possible. She wears an alligator clip on that side a few times a week, but she doesn't pull at it and it's not on that spot, but lower.

OP posts:
Original poster
WineGetsMeThroughIt · 01/06/2021 21:52

@Goodebe

From the pic it just looks like the way the hair is lying and parting so hopefully it’s nothing much more than that.

No, it's definitely bald. When I first noticed it I thought maybe it was just the way the hair had parted as well, but tonight even my son noticed when they were in the bath. This is a better picture

Toddler alopecia? Bald spot on head. Help please!
OP posts:
Changechangychange · 03/06/2021 23:21

Almost certainly a fungal infection of some description in kids that age - see your GP.

Original poster
WineGetsMeThroughIt · 03/06/2021 23:41

@Changechangychange

Almost certainly a fungal infection of some description in kids that age - see your GP.
Thank you. That's what he said looking at the pictures. I'm hugely panicking though. He prescribed some anti fungal cream and mentioned to try a shampoo but couldn't recommend a specific one. I've ordered Nizerol, but wasn't sure if it's ok to use on toddlers?
OP posts:
Changechangychange · 04/06/2021 00:39

Nizoral isn’t licensed in children under 12. Oilatum anti-dandruff shampoo is ok, as is Selsun if your daughter is 5 (or near enough).

Embracelife · 04/06/2021 23:45

It s unlikely to be life threatening tho obviously distressing if patch gets bigger.

Ask for referral to dermatology if it gets bigger.

If fungal you can treat .

If alopecia arreata there is not much you can do but it may grow back in future. Best case it is just a patch.
(Ds developed into worse case alopecia totalis but no reason to think that for your dc)

Dont panic.
Keep an eye.
Don't get your dc to be anxious about it.

OTodd · 06/06/2021 09:15

I'm following this as my son has developed hair loss on the crown of his head over the last month.
Can I ask if it is fungal is there other symptoms, such as dry skin etc.
My son's skin looks smooth and clear in the area.

Embracelife · 06/06/2021 10:08

My ds patches were completely clear and smooth.

Glittersequins · 12/02/2024 21:51

Hi, just wondering if you ever got to the bottom of this? Going through the same thing with my 3 year old now

Cheerstolife · 13/05/2024 17:20

hi, I have the same query as the previous post. I have a 4-year-old daughter and I have observed a similar patch. I would appreciate if you could update us on the progress @WineGetsMeThroughIt

thank you.

OonaghT · 13/05/2024 20:37

Just an update. I took my son to gp they gave me topical steroid which we used. I also took him to a homeopath who prescribed a personal remedy and a good quality multivitamin.
when I took him to the dermatologist 7 weeks later his hair had already starting growing back.
no relapses so far 3 years later.
both homeopath and dermatologist agreed on good quality multi vitamin- because if it is stress related the gut doesn’t absorb nutrients which can lead to hair loss.

OonaghT · 13/05/2024 20:39

Just an update. I took my son to gp they gave me topical steroid which we used. I also took him to a homeopath who prescribed a personal remedy and a good quality multivitamin.
when I took him to the dermatologist 7 weeks later his hair had already starting growing back.
no relapses so far 3 years later.
both homeopath and dermatologist agreed on good quality multi vitamin- because if it is stress related the gut doesn’t absorb nutrients which can lead to hair loss.

OonaghT · 13/05/2024 20:40

Just an update. I took my son to gp they gave me topical steroid which we used. I also took him to a homeopath who prescribed a personal remedy and a good quality multivitamin.
when I took him to the dermatologist 7 weeks later his hair had already starting growing back.
no relapses so far 3 years later.
both homeopath and dermatologist agreed on good quality multi vitamin- because if it is stress related the gut doesn’t absorb nutrients which can lead to hair loss.

foreverhopeful1uk · 18/05/2024 05:30

Hi- how is your daughter? I have noticed a patch on my son (5 years old) about 2 days ago so taking him to the dermatologist today. I have had AA on and off for 10 years so very nervous I've passed it down to my son. And even more nervous that hit it is this that he's got it so early. This is a picture of his patch

Toddler alopecia? Bald spot on head. Help please!
Cheerstolife · 23/05/2024 09:26

I have got a dermatologist appointment end of this month and the GP has given a steroid cream until then to be applied twice a day (morning and night).

What did your dermatologist say in terms of diagnosis?

OonaghT · 23/05/2024 13:29

He said it was alopecia. But by the time we got to him it was growing back. Bald spot appeared early May, dermatologist appointment was mid August.
we used the steroid cream, multi vitamin and homeopathy remedies during that time.

rainbow616 · 01/02/2025 17:16

Has anyone got any updates on the dc’s hair please? Mine has a huge bald spot 😭

OonaghT · 01/02/2025 20:47

Hi @rainbow616 i hope you’re ok.
my son had one patch in 2021, steroid, multivitamin and homeopathy is what we used.
I’ve no idea if any or all of it worked but his hair grew back very quickly and no other issues since.

I remember feeling very worried- it feels unnatural and it is upsetting.

I hope your child’s hair grows back quick xx

rainbow616 · 01/02/2025 20:49

@OonaghT thank you so much for replying. What homeopathic remedies did you use? Xx

OonaghT · 01/02/2025 21:21

Homeopathic remedies are always bespoke- as in you need to visit a homeopath.
the multivitamin was recommended by the dermatologist and the homeopath- deffo give that a go- a really good quality one- not a sugary one x

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