Babies Hair (2)

Baby with little or no hair
Photo: Andrey Armyagow/Shutterstock
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Cradle cap is a common disorder in babies, which can often disrupt the hair growth cycle and cause hair loss. Typically, cradle cap occurs in babies between two and six months old and causes a scaly, flaky rash to appear on the scalp.
 
Cradle cap is usually the result of a baby's ultra-sensitive skin being dried out by shampoo, the sun, or other elements to which it has not previously been exposed. It rarely bothers a baby, but in severe cases it can cause itching and result in hair loss. If your baby's hair is falling out due to severe cradle cap, it is advisable to see a doctor.
 
Whatever the cause of your baby's hair loss, it is completely normal and usually temporary, so try not to worry and just wait patiently until it grows back. If your baby is approaching 12 months and shows no signs of any new hair growth, it is sensible to seek the advice of a doctor.
 
Baby with cradle cap
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Very occasionally, hair loss in babies can be a sign of a medical problem, which is fundamentally congenital in nature and is often the result of hair shaft defects and always requires medical assistance. Congenital Atrichia is a disorder of the hair that affects babies. A baby appears to have normal hair at birth, but when the hair enters the resting phase and falls out, the growth cycle is deactivated and no new hair grows back.
 
Monilethrix is an extremely rare condition which begins in infancy. Like with congenital atrichia, a baby's hair appears normal and healthy at birth, but when it falls out, it grows back dry, brittle, and fragile, which breaks off easily and rarely grows beyond 2.5 cm. Pili torti is another condition that is congenital or can be acquired and usually only affects baby girls with fine, fair hair. Babies who have pili torti will have brittle hair which breaks off at varying lengths due to the rigid twisting of the hair fibers.
 
Having babies can be a daunting and worrying experience, especially for first-time parents. Their hair is one of the most ambiguous and confusing characteristics of a baby, which can leave parent’s completely baffled. One thing is for sure, though: whatever our little bundle of joy looks like, whether they are as bald as the bare mountain tops or have a jet black quiff that even Elvis would be proud of, our little ones bring us endless happiness and joy.
 
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See also:
 
How to wash your baby's hair
 
How care for your baby's hair
 
The hair on my baby’s forehead doesn’t grow. Is this something I should worry about?