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Trichotillomania
Mala Bhalla1, Rashmi Sarkar, Priti Arun
1Department of Dermatology, Government Medical College Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh 160 047, India.
Insights
Trichotillomania, a cause of hair loss in children, was observed in three young girls. Behavior therapy, with collaboration between specialists and parents, led to significant improvement.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Child Psychiatry
- Behavioral Therapy
Background:
- Trichotillomania is an uncommon cause of unexplained hair loss in children.
- Early identification and intervention are crucial for managing pediatric hair loss conditions.
Observation:
- Three girls aged 4-6 years presented with trichotillomania in a pediatric dermatology clinic.
- One case involved co-existent alopecia areata, highlighting potential comorbidities.
Findings:
- All observed children showed improvement following referral to a child guidance clinic.
- Behavior therapy proved effective in managing trichotillomania symptoms in this cohort.
Implications:
- Close collaboration between dermatologists, psychiatrists, and parents is vital for preventing and managing pediatric alopecia.
- Integrated care models can improve therapeutic outcomes for children with trichotillomania.
Abstract:
Trichotillomania, though uncommon, is one of the causes of unexplained hair loss, especially in children. Three girls in the age group of 4-6 years were observed in our pediatric dermatology clinic to have trichotillomania. In one child, there was co-existent alopecia areata. All were referred to the child guidance clinic and they all showed improvement with behavior therapy. A close liasion between the dermatologist, psychiatrist and parents would go a long way in preventing this alopecia