Will Scalp Injuries in Infants Affect Future Hair Growth?

Q: Will Scalp Injuries in Infants Affect Future Hair Growth?

Hello： At this age, it's important to be aware that infants may lean forward or backward, and superficial abrasions or bruises will heal normally, so there's no need to worry. <br>However, if they fall from the bed, you should monitor for any signs of head injury, such as vomitin

Injury to an infant's scalp?

Hello Dr.
Hsieh, my younger brother is 6 months old.
Yesterday, while I had him sitting in the stroller, he couldn't sit up properly and fell over, resulting in a few scratches on his scalp.
I would like to ask if these scars could potentially cause hair loss in the future.
Thank you.

Jia Yi, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2009/07/07

Dr. Xie Degui reply Pediatrics

Hello: At this age, it's important to be aware that infants may lean forward or backward, and superficial abrasions or bruises will heal normally, so there's no need to worry.
However, if they fall from the bed, you should monitor for any signs of head injury, such as vomiting, lethargy, or restlessness.
Hair will still grow back after a scalp abrasion.

Reply Date: 2009/07/07

More Info

Scalp injuries in infants, such as the scratches your brother experienced, generally do not have a long-term impact on hair growth. At six months old, infants are still developing their motor skills, and minor accidents like falling from a stroller can happen. The skin on an infant's scalp is quite resilient and tends to heal well, especially if the injuries are superficial.

When an infant sustains a scalp injury, the primary concern is whether the injury affects the underlying structures, particularly the hair follicles. In most cases, superficial scratches or abrasions do not penetrate deeply enough to damage the hair follicles. Hair follicles are responsible for hair growth, and if they remain intact, hair will typically regrow in the affected area once the skin has healed.

It is important to monitor the healing process. If the scratches are healing properly without signs of infection (such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge), it is likely that the hair will grow back normally. The hair growth cycle includes phases of growth (anagen), rest (telogen), and shedding (catagen). After an injury, hair follicles may temporarily enter the resting phase, which could lead to a delay in hair regrowth. However, this is usually a temporary condition.

In more severe cases, if the injury were to cause significant trauma to the scalp or if there were deep lacerations that damage the hair follicles, there could be a risk of permanent hair loss in that area. This is less common in infants, as their skin and hair follicles are generally more resilient than those of adults.
If you notice any unusual changes, such as persistent bald patches or if the hair does not seem to be regrowing after a few months, it would be advisable to consult a pediatric dermatologist. They can assess the scalp and determine if there has been any damage to the hair follicles or if there are other underlying issues that need to be addressed.

In summary, while minor scalp injuries in infants are usually not a cause for concern regarding future hair growth, it is essential to keep an eye on the healing process and seek medical advice if there are any signs of complications. The scalp's ability to heal and regenerate hair is quite remarkable, and in most cases, normal hair growth should resume without any long-term effects.

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