Help please!! DD, 13, is losing her hair!! ( Long)

[Patio]

My DD, 13, had a spinal fusion operation 7 weeks ago and since then has been losing hair. She was hospitalized for 1 week and then had 3 weeks of sponge baths, with me washing her hair about twice a week, in the kitchen sink. Her hair is naturally straight and pretty long, so I would comb it out with a wide tooth comb and pick and there would be quite a bit of hair on the pick. I figured she may have dead ends, but I thought maybe once she could shower and do her own hair, she'd feel better. She was still losing hair so I took her for a haircut on Wednesday and the stylist said she was losing hair, but there were no bald spots and maybe because of her operation ( 6 hrs ), she was lacking a vitamin and needed a hair strenghtener. I went to the pharmacist and he said maybe she should take Vitamin E, but he didn't know if it would help, so I called the doctor today, who did the surgery. He said the operation should not have caused any hair loss. DD said her hair feels different and she is still losing hair, after showering or brushing her hair. DD has an appointment with her pediatrician next Thursday, so that is my next course of action. Does anyone have any ideas or experience with hair loss? Sorry this is so long, but DD is really afraid she's going to go bald. Thanks!!
P.S. DD always pulls her hair into a ponytail, if that matters. Thanks again!!

 

[Buckalew]

I only have two guesses. One would be that many people lose hair after being put to sleep for an operation (although your doctor should know that) and 2) it could be the stress from the entire episode--maybe even a combo of the two.

Medications and having surgery often show up affecting your hair.

 

[Yay2001]

Patio --

I'm so sorry about your daughter! Sounds like she's having a hard time!

I'm not a medical professional, but her symptoms sound awfully like alopecia. Princess Caroline of Monaco suffered from it at one time. It *can* be brought on by stress, illness, vitamin deficiencies, etc.

Here's a link:

National Alopecia Areta Foundation

Good luck! Hugs and PD to your daughter!

 

[preshi]

I was thinking stress too although it could be hormones! Is she losing clumps of hair or does it just seem like alot is falling out... every 3-6 months my hair does this... I lose what feels like ALOT of hair but you can't tell any difference!


{{{hugs}}}

 

[Nancy]

Is she taking any kinds of meds? If her hair "feels" different it's not just from surgery. On the average people loose alot of hair everyday...you just don't notice it, if it's noticable then there is probably a medical reason. (nothing serious, but stress or medicines)

Depending on what they gave her during surgery or after it could be from the drugs. If it is from the pony tails, it would be breakage...and you would notice short stubble on her head.


hopefully the pediatrician will figure it out...you also might want to contact a dermatologist.

 

[bfeller]

I have lost my hair three times. Had little bald spots the size of quarters. It was caused by stress and it did grow back. But the initial shock was overwhelming. Hope your doctor can help you.

 

[Krisu]

I agree with Nancy about also seeing a Dermatologist. This is traumatic for a young girl

 

[MeanLaureen]

I've been through this 3 or so times since I was 20. It is very traumatic to see so much hair come out everytime you brush and wash your hair.

Mine was first due to depression and the last two times were due to my medical condition and having to take methotrexate for over 2 yrs. I'm going through this right now.

I can recommend a shampoo that a lot of people that take drugs like the one I'm taking use. It's called Nioxxin. It seems to help slow down the loss of hair and seems to be able to get the chemical residue that sometimes builds up in your hair when you take a lot of medicine out.

You can buy it at salons. It's about $10-12 a bottle. Make sure that you get a good lather near the scalp area.

Hope this helps. Give her ((hugs)) for me and if she ever needs someone to talk to, just email or PM me

 

[tnkrbell]

I know this is probably freaking you out but try not too!!
It probably has to do with the operation and will stop soon.
Also is your daughter 13 1/2 close to 14?? Because your hair changes every five years and she maybe justgetting some new hair and losing the old!! My DD is going through this now she is 6 almost 7!!

 

[LuvN~Travel]

My daughter's head stresses out when she has neurosurgical surgeries and also when she had surgery to rod up her back due to her Scoliosis. With the Scoliosis, she had a few bad spots on the back that finally filled in. But, with the surgery and resulting complications winter before last, (neurosurgical) she still has a quarter size spot that is completely bald in the back left quadrant of her head. Her head really stresses out with these surgeries. And, that isn't even the yucky stuff that stays in her head forever. I noticed the other day that the worst spot she's had with the yucky, cheesy like stuff is just now finally clearing up a year and a half later!
I would talk with her doctors and see if they can direct you guys to a good dermatologist. Good luck with her hair. These surgeries can be such a pain in unexpected ways sometime! The docs tell you about all the nasty things that can happen that are major, but forget about the minor nasty things like bald spots. Sheesh!
Have a great weekend.
Kim