Palak Vyas

Massaging your baby’s scalp with suitable oil and the right technique will give your child all the benefits. Ensure that you apply oil on clean scalp and massage gently. Some of the benefits are:<ul><li>﻿It moisturises your baby’s hair and soothes dry scalp.</li><li>Helps in treating scalp problems like dandruff, scaly skin, a bacterial or fungal infection.</li><li>It hydrates your baby’s hair.</li><li>It prevents hair fall.</li><li>It strengthens hair roots.</li><li>If your baby has curly hair, applying oil softens hair strands.</li></ul>

Hair massage with oil is beneficial in several ways.

Benefits of applying oil in child’s hair

Often, hair loss in children is caused by an infection or other problems with the scalp. Here are some of the most common causes:<ul><li>Ringworm of the scalp: This scalp infection spreads when kids share personal items such as combs and hats.It is caused by a fungus. Kids with this condition develop patches of hair loss with black dots where the hair is broken off. Their skin may turn red, scaly, and bumpy.</li><li>Hair loss can also result due to an autoimmune disease (Alopecia areata). The immune system attacks the follicles from which hair grows. There’s no cure for alopecia areata, but some treatments can help regrow hair. With the right treatment, most kids with alopecia areata will regrow hair within one year. Full regrowth can take six months to a year.</li><li>Nutritional deficiency: Good nutrition is essential for a healthy body. When kids don’t get enough vitamins, minerals, and protein, their hair can fall out.</li></ul> A lack of the following nutrients can contribute to hair loss:<ul><li>iron</li><li>zinc</li><li>niacin</li><li>biotin</li><li>protein and amino acids</li><li>Too much vitamin A can also lead to hair loss.</li><li>Your child’s paediatrician can suggest a healthy eating plan or prescribe a supplement to make up for the nutritional shortfall.</li></ul> Non Medical hair loss causes:<ul><li>Newborn hair loss: During their first six months of life, most babies will lose the hair they were born with. The newborn hair falls out to make way for mature hair. This type of hair loss is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.</li><li>Friction hair loss: Some babies lose hair in the back of their scalp because they rub their head repeatedly against the crib mattress, floor, or something else. Once they stop rubbing their hair should grow back.</li><li>Hair ties: Pulling your child’s hair back into a tight ponytail, braid, or bun causes trauma to the hair follicles. Hair can also fall out if your child brushes or combs it too hard. Be gentle when combing and styling your child’s hair and keep ponytails and braids loose to prevent hair loss.</li></ul>

Hair-fall can be irritating. Understanding the right cause is important so that right remedy can be applied.

Treating hair loss

<ul><li>Adding certain foods to their diet can promote hair growth — and give children the nourishment their bodies need.</li><li>Peanuts, corn, and spinach contain Vitamin E, which stimulates hair growth.</li><li>Folic acid, found in foods like peas and citrus fruits, will help promote hair growth by strengthening strands so they don’t break off prematurely.</li><li>Drinking water—four to six glasses a day—will keep hair hydrated.</li><li>Vitamin B produces keratin, a protein that strengthens strands. Found in bananas, whole-grain cereals, rice and eggs.</li><li>Dairy products like skim milk and yogurt—as well as broccoli and strawberries–are great sources of calcium, an important mineral for hair growth.</li><li>Trimming hair regularly helps too.</li><li>Washing hair at least twice a week maintains hygiene of the scalp and hair which maintains strength of the hair.</li><li>Massaging hair and scalp with oil is equally necessary.</li></ul>

Children tend to get careless about taking care of their hair. Proper diet and hygiene helps a long way in healthy hair.

Enhancing hair growth

Ravina Sewani

<ul><li>Most chemical head lice treatments aren't suitable for babies under two years old. So the best way to get rid of your little one's head lice is by wet-combing.</li></ul> 1. Make your child comfortable: Comb or brush any knots out of your child’s hair with an ordinary comb. Wet your child’s hair completely with plenty of water to straighten it so that the comb moves smoothly.2. Comb hair still using an ordinary comb.3. Change to a comb with fine teeth: Use a head lice comb and comb sections of your child's hair. Comb from the roots to the ends of the hair. Be careful while using lice comb so that it doesn’t hurt your child.4. After each comb, wipe the conditioner on to a paper towel or tissue. Check the tissue or paper towel for lice and eggs (a magnifying glass may help you to see them more easily).5. Repeat the combing for every part of the head, section by section. Comb each section at least 4 or 5 times before moving on to the next section.6. After you have combed the whole head, rinse out the conditioner.7. If you find lice or eggs, repeat these steps every day if you can manage it, but at least every 2 to 3 days. You can stop when you find no lice or eggs for 3 days in a row.8. Check the hair of everyone in the house twice a week for the next 2 weeks to make sure everyone stays clear. <ul><li>You can also use lice controlling medicated shampoos after concerning your paediatrician.</li></ul>

Children below 3 years usually do not suffer from hair lice. If they do, proper shampooing of their hair and an oil massage is helpful for them.

Treating hair lice

Hair growth in children can be improved in various ways. Read the article to know more. More Hair related concerns are available.