Question
Why does a 4-year-old child lose hair?
Answer
The most common cause of childhood hair loss is scalp fungal infection, known as ringworm. It leads to circular patches of hair loss on the scalp, with the affected skin appearing pink or gray, accompanied by dandruff and severe itching. Another disease that can cause temporary hair loss in children is alopecia areata, characterized by sudden onset of circular patchy hair loss. Additionally, some children may experience hair loss due to psychogenic nonvoluntary movements or behavioral disorders, such as rubbing or pulling out hair, which is referred to as tic disorders. This condition tends to be more severe when children are focused on a particular task.