Many people agonize over the loss of their hair. Imagine how a child may feel if they suddenly start losing their hair without any reason. Loose Anagen Hair Syndrome is a condition where hair on the head in the growth phase (anagen) is easily pulled or plucked out due to an error in the hair’s growth structure. Children are most often affected by this type of hair loss. The hair typically remains thin and only grows in length to the nape of the neck.
Loose anagen syndrome is exactly what the name suggests, growing hair that is “loose” and easily pulled out of the hair follicle. Loose anagen syndrome is most often first diagnosed in young children, more in girls than boys. The hair never seems to grow, and the scalp hair is usually thin, especially at the back of the scalp.
Who are affected with loose anagen hair syndrome?
Blond-haired children ages 2 to 5 are most likely to be afflicted with loose anagen syndrome, though it has also been found in those with dark hair. The incidence is greater in females than males and has only been reported in Caucasians. Parents when notice that their child’s hair has thinned and that the hair appears dull and unmanageable, they rush to the doctor in order to identify the cause. Clumps of hair may have painlessly come out while playing or even from the traction of wearing the hair in a ponytail.
There may be a genetic problem behind the syndrome and the condition can run in families, but there are some cases where loose anagen syndrome has no family history. There are no known effective treatments for loose anagen syndrome.
What happens in loose anagen syndrome?
Though, the actual reason is still unknown, it is believed that the inner root sheath normally develops during the anagen phase of a hair’s growth cycle and is believed to be responsible for anchoring the hair to the head. Faulty structural development leads to deformed hair shafts, which do not attach properly and cause the hair to having shorter growth lengths. Children affected with loose anagen syndrome are otherwise healthy without nutritional deficits or other medical problems.
Loose anagen syndrome is often confused for trichotillomania or alopecia areata, so examination by a skilled dermatologist is needed. Additionally, other medical conditions such as anemia, thyroid disease or medication caused hair loss needs to be investigated.
Loose Anagen Syndrome Treatment:
Though, there is no medical treatment for loose anagen syndrome, the problem often improves when a child enters the teen years and adulthood.
Some effective methods to reduce hair loss are to treat hair gently during washing or handling and avoid pulling the hair back with rubber bands. Make sure to provide all kinds of nutrients and minerals to your child in order to boost the hair growth.
