Your son's hair loss

Gradual thinning at the temples or crown can occur with androgenetic alopecia. Smooth, sharply defined bare patches may occur with alopecia areata. Scaling, broken hairs, tenderness, or swollen glands can accompany scalp ringworm. Hair pulled repeatedly by tight styles can lead to traction alopecia.

Diffuse shedding after a fever, major illness, emotional strain, weight change, or nutritional problem can occur with telogen effluvium. Hair loss can also reflect hair-shaft damage, medicines, or another health issue. A diagnosis cannot be made from photographs alone.

Arrange a medical assessment if the loss is new, progressive, patchy, or accompanied by scale, itch, pain, or redness. Bring a list of medicines and supplements, recent illnesses, diet changes, family history, and styling habits. Photos taken in similar lighting can show how the pattern changes over time.

Use gentle washing, avoid tight pulling and harsh chemical processing, and do not start prescription hair treatment without discussing age, health history, and monitoring. A clinician may examine the scalp, hair shafts, and nails, and may request tests when the history suggests a wider cause.

Seek prompt care for painful swelling, pus, extensive scaling, fever, broken hairs with bald patches, or rapidly expanding smooth patches. These signs can indicate infection or active inflammation that needs timely treatment. Arrange review for eyebrow or eyelash loss, nail changes, fatigue, or other new symptoms.

Get urgent help for facial swelling, breathing difficulty, severe illness, or a serious reaction after applying a product. Earlier assessment can protect follicles when the scalp is inflamed or under repeated traction.

What pattern does my son have, and what causes fit his age and scalp findings? Does he need a fungal test or blood tests? Which treatments are suitable now, and how will we monitor progress?