Hair and Nails Won't Grow

Updated on October 08, 2008
H.K. asks from Elkton, MD
9 answers

Hi everyone,

I'm writing on behalf of a friend. She has a beautiful 4 year old girl. The problem is that her hair and nails do not grow! She has hardly any hair and has never had even a strand cut and her nails do not grow. Has anyone heard of this happening before or have a child with the same issue? The mother has brought her child to many a doctor and has gotten no answers:( Now she has a second baby girl-20 months old- who has long blonde hair! Any info would be a great help. Thank you!!

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K.Z.

answers from Philadelphia on

My niece was just diagnosed with alopecia. It is a hair condition where the hair wont grow. She had hair it wasn't thick it was barely anything , but then at 3 last year she lost it all. And she also just recently lost her eyebrows and eyelashes. she is 4 now. And there is'nt anything really to do about it. There is med. but she just got worse. At least its not her health and as long as she is loved and very very spoiled as she is, she'll be fine. It might be worth asking the doctor. She went to children's hospital in philadephia.

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B.D.

answers from Lancaster on

It probably wouldn't hurt to have some blood tests run (thyroid, etc.)- the nails not growing I haven't dealt with before. The hair could just be the way she is - my first daughter has so much hair it isn't funny - my second daughter was bald until almost three - and to this day still has fine, thin hair.

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D.V.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Since you know more about her, check web md online. Its helped me out before!

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K.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

The disorder that she has is called Ectodermal Dysplasia. You can google it and read about it online. Obviously they would need a doctor to confirm this for them. I know of a little girl who was at least 3 years old before she was diagnosed. She has a mild form of this condition and it sounds to me like if that's what this little girl has then she has a mild case as well. Cases run from mild to very severe and can cause a host of other problems along with hair and nails. I'm wondering if sometimes the more mild cases are overlooked at first?

Hope this helps.

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C.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

H., has this little girl been seen by a Dermatologist? Perhaps I may be a bit biased, but I work for a Phenomenal Dermatologist, Dr. Scott Gottlieb - who has an office in Lionville, Exton and Kennett Square. He is a Cornell/Univ. of Penn educated dermatologist. His phone number is ###-###-####. Additionally, several months ago, we added a new, young, dermatologist, who specializes in Pediatric dermatology....but he decided to stay at Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania. His name is Dr. Jim (James) Treat. I am sure you could google him....but he is spectacular with children.

Good luck!

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J.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

H. K my oldest daughter had a hard time getting her hair to grow. I took her to get it trimmed a few times it started to finally grow she now has long thin but long hair. I dont know if a couple of trims might help the hair grow. I dont know anything about the nails but my daughter does not have all of her 2nd teeth she will keep a lot of her baby teeth but the dentist told us that it does happen sometimes so I dont know if that is kind of the samething. Good luck to you and your friends daughter I hope all is well.

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T.T.

answers from Philadelphia on

My daughter's hair always was short when she was younger, growing, but extremely slowly. She is 13 now, has long hair, but it still grows slowly. More than 5 years ago she decided to grow her hair long for Locks of Love, and she finally has it long enough, if she wants a really short cut, which she doesn't. Meanwhile, she has friends who have cut their hair several times int he same time period! Her nails always have grown, though....

Your friend has gone to many a doctor...has she gone to CHOP and/or St. Chris? If not, I would suggest seeing a specialist at one, and then perhaps going for a 2nd opinion at the other.

Good luck.

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T.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

I would have to agree with one of the other moms... i think it sounds like a vitamin deficiency.

B.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Hi H., frankly it sounds like some kind of vitimen or mineral deficiency....you friend should have her doctor order some blood tests. It could be nothing, but it does sound like something to me! Best wishes.

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