DD's knotty patch

[Mummylife2018]

Ever since my 4yr old DD got hair, she has had this relentless patch of knotted, super super frizzy hair right across the back.
I've tried everything. Using conditioner, conditioning masks, changing the shampoo, hair oils, wide tooth combing when wet then a fine tooth comb, detangling sprays (many), absolutely nothing helps, besides chasing her with the tangle tweezer (because it hurts her so much, she runs....) painstakingly pulling it through and eventually, shoving some hair mouse on, then another good brush and then one last brush through when the mousse has dried.
Surely there must be some way of preventing this from happening in the first place? Any ideas what could be causing it?
I cannot do the mousse routine every single day as it's a nightmare.

I did think to begin with, that it was perhaps where she has her head when she's asleep, but she sleeps on her side?

For context, she refuses to tie her hair back or have any slides/bows in it (she is awaiting an ASD assessment) so I can't even see if keeping it up helps prevent it

Help!

Thanks

On and her hair is fine - if you can't already tell!

Should I just cut it all out?!

I feel your pain!

How regularly is it being washed and brushed? I’ve found with my DD who is slightly younger (but with hair down to her bum) that it’s best to wash and condition it and brush with a tangle teezer whilst it is wet with ‘knot on my watch’ in it. It takes about 30 minutes if we haven’t brushed properly for a few days. Hair has to be kept up as much as possible and properly brushed every single day. DDs is under the top layer so we have to move that. Not letting it get bad in the first place is the only way we can keep on top of it! Good luck

A silky/satin pillowcase might help if she doesn’t mind the texture?

Is she at school/nursery? Could she be playing with it or twisting it as a comfort or sensory thing?

My dd had this. She sleeps with coconut oil on her hair once a butbthe thing that has made the biggest difference is sleeping in a silk ‘sleep bonnet’ every night. You can get them from amazon and black hairdressers. They look like shower caps.

I wonder whether the mousse isn't helping. I may be wrong but have always found if i leave product in my hair (other than perhaps leave in conditioner or oil) it is more likely to get knotty.
I was going to suggest some nice plaits which I have always found more comfortable than having hair tied up but guessing she won't tolerate these either.
is.
agree tangle teezer when wet is best way to get rid but sounds like problem is picking knots up during the day. would she consider going shorter all over?

Have you tried an Afro/mixed hair product? They are much more conditioning and detanglers work much better too.

I have knotty hair as does youngest DD. Forget wide tooth combs and fine tooth combs, they don't solve the knotty hair problem but they do tug and hurt.
Wash her hair and when the conditioner is on use a Tangle Teaser. Then rinse while still using the Tangle Teaser. Wrap hair gently in a towel or turban (Wilko £1.99). I can't brush my hair with a TT when it's dry as it tugs.
Have you tried a Mason Pearson hairbrush? Expensive but worth it.
Mousse is very drying. Try an anti static spray and brush her hair as little as possible.

@llangennith What you've described there I have been doing word for word! Still happening :( x

@sleepycat13 Have been using TT when wet :(

This still happened when it was short x

@Blueemeraldagain Definitely isn't doing it herself, the issue has been there since before she could sit up!

If the issue has been happening since before she could sit up, it suggests it's rubbing on whatever she lies on.
I would suggest going drastic to start with (pixe cut) and then if she wants to grow it out again, a silk/satin pillow case.

OMG that could be my DD - it's a nightmare. The only thing that has helped (and I tried everything) is the Toni and Guy leave in conditioner. I put it in damp here, leave it for a while and then brush it. And keep her hair in plaits at night.

@llangennith What you've described there I have been doing word for word! Still happening :( x

Oh dear! What works for me is a silk pillowslip (John Lewis) and a bedtime hairnet (Boots) but I don't think your DD would go for the hairnet😄