My youngest just turned a year a few days ago, and I took him just today for his one year check up. He is a very active, healthy little boy, and I have (had) no concerns for his well being. He seems to be developing on track and is seldom sick. He has hit all his milestones so far pretty much when it is "expected." Some early, some late. He is growing, eats well, sleeps well, and is not fussy. In fact, he is happy more than he is upset. Now, my question. When the doctor came in this morning, you could tell he had an immediate red flag come up and he started asking a lot of questions about his hair. His hair is like none other I have seen. It is very soft, but it is wirey looking. People always comment on his hair. It is blonde, sticks up and is just fuzzy. Not curly but not straight. It looks like he stuck his finger in a light socket, but to know him it is part of his personality. I have never had reason to think that it could indicate that something is wrong. The doctor said that it could be an indication of a developmental delay. He couldn't tell me what it could be as he has never seen hair like his before and would have to look it up in his books. Doesn't know if there is treatment for whatever it could be. Really doesn't know just that he wants to look into it further and see if there us cause for concern. BECAUSE, he seems to be developing on track, he does feel like it is just cosmetic, which I hope is all it is, and feel is all it is, but that unknown has me freaking out. Basically, it could be an indication of a developmental delay or that his body hasn't developed that outer layer of whatever hair is made up of which could also indicate skin problems too. I can't say as I have seen any skin problems. He has barely had a diaper rash. I was literally dumb-struck when he started asking questions as I would never have thought hair would raise a red flag on health unless he were malnourished which he is definately not. All this time I just thought it was because no one person is like another and that was just his hair. To me it doesn't look unhealthy, just a different texture. Please has anyone heard of this??? If so, words of advice/encouragement would be greatly appreciated. Or whatever that outer layer of the hair is, is there a shampoo/conditioner that would help build that up? Thanks in advance.
I have never heard of hair being any type of cause for concern over a child's development. To me it seems as if it is just a cosmetic thing. I would get a second opinion from another doctor.
D.
I am 31 and have been married for almost 12 yrs. My husband and I have 3 boys ages 10,7, and 4.
I would not worry one bit. My nephew has hair just like this. He is also a blonde. You will be happy to know that he is now 10 years old and has never had any problems. Where some doctors come up with this stuff is beyond me. Sometimes I think they are just looking for something to run more tests and receive more money. I would just relax.
I have heard about something like this, but to be honest cannot remember for the life of me where or what I heard. lol But, I do want to comment on the fact that, people may tell you to not pay attention to your doctor or that he is trying to make something out of nothing. I disagree. Yes, in fact it may be nothing. But, at least you have a doctor that noticed something different or out of ordinary and wants to look into this to rule out anything. Alot of doctors would just pass this by and do nothing. Don't worry until there's something to worry about. But, feel lucky that you have a doctor willing to step outside the box and nip something in the butt if it needs done. I think ALL doctors should be like this. Maybe people wouldn't have to get second and third opinions if the first would be willing to do some research and admit he doesn't know something. Well, I hope everything turns out well.
Just watch and get an early intervention if you see a problem. Most Drs don't know what they are talking about. I KNEW there was a problem with my boys, and their doctor blew me off when we could have gotten more help. Trust your own instincts, not the doctor's. If he seems healthy, he probably is! Just let the hair be. You don't want to use anything on it that wouldn't be all natural.
I have never heard of this! if he is developing fine, i would not worry!
I've never heard of anything like what you described, and I'm sorry for you that the doctor just didn't keep quiet until he had a chance to look into it for himself. As moms, we have so many legitimate concerns that keep us up at night, we don't need more unnecessary ones coming from our doctors! I'd just put it out of my mind. It sounds like your son is doing great and just has a special head of hair :) Do some research on your own, if it makes you feel better (I guess you already are) and get a second opinion but I'd just ignore the doctor. It seems weird that he would even say "I don't know what it could be, but this might signal a problem". Kind of unprofessional, if you ask me.
L.,
I am a 46 yr. old mother 3 kids, ages 27, 17, and 8. I have worked in local daycares as well as run my own. I have to tell you, I have never heard of hair texture as being a red flag to developmental delays. I am not a doctor, so please keep that in mind. But before you go trying shampoos that change your sons hair, (and personality) maybe you should wait and go online looking for whatever the doctor might have thought.
If you come across something that tells you you should be concerned, could you please let me know? I would love to read about it. But truthfully, I have a feeling that your son is just fine. You are not a new mom, you know what to expect from him, and he sounds as if he is on track.
Dont' worry too much!
R.
L.,
I would get a second or even 4th opinion on this by a doctor. Even go to a dermatologist. My oldest daughter had hair simular than this, her hair was blonde at first too, than turned darker over the years. Her fathers hair is wirey as well...no health concerns..well on my daughters behalf so far. Her father is OCD, Depressant also Hyperactive..but nothing that had or has to do with the hair. I believe the doctor is trying to come up with things just so he can make a name for himself or even have a reason to diagnose someone, he's probably board. Probably has really healthy patience and wants to rise a concern, so he has something to do. I would go with my gut instinct or get a second opinion. Can't always believe a doctor. Several years ago, I had a doctor diagnose me with a thyroid problem. A thyroid disease, stays with you no matter what...no cures. Well, I quit taking the meds, due to the fact that I didn't have insurance and on top I didn't feel that they were working. I went to see another doctor (nutritionist) matter of fact...and he had checked my thyroid and told me that my thyroid is just fine. No problems. I didn't have to take the pills any longer anyhow. So...what would've made the doctor before believe that I had a thyroid. Well...I was under a lot of stress and had some depression issues (controlable and resolvable) without meds. I NO LONGER HAD A THYROID problem..That's an issue (misdiagnoses). It happens all the time, due to the fact that all these doctors want Money! Some are good doctors, some just get bored. Good Luck and I will pray that nothing serious is wrong with your little one.
My Goddaughter's hair is like this. She is now 11 and it is still like that. She is one of the smartest kids I know and doesn't seem to have any dealy in any area. Her mom has tried all different kinds of shampoo, etc. Nothing changes it. Just accept it for what it is.
C.
I think the hair condition is called "pili torti" in medical jargon. Here's a site that might help: http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/p/pili_torti/underly.htm
I am no expert but it sounds like nothing is wrong.
If you (the mom) think he is fine then he most likely is. If developmental delays were the Dr.s only concern and you have seen none I wouldn't worry a thing about it. We all have different hair.
: )
C.
I've never heard of such a thing, I think in these days of malpractice suits around every corner sometimes Dr's are a bit too cautious. As a mommy of 3 that are grown already I think you probably would have a gut feeling if there was a delay. I'd certainly listen to what the Dr says if he comes up with anything- other wise he might just have wacky hair and I know my 10 and 6 year olds have very different hair now than they did at 1- I wouldn't worry too much- Good luck!
It sounds to me like a normal child. You are right, everyone is different. My 3 child, all girls, turned on on Sept. 12th. Her hair is unlike either of my older two. Her hair is lighter in color and has always been unruly. Sounds just like your little boy. Everyone thinks her hair is so cute. My mom thinks she will have a lot of body in it later. It has always stood up no matter what I did to comb it. It is finally getting long enough it is starting to lay down better. Otherwise, she is developing just fine--off the charts in height, talking fine, crawling, rolling, everything right in the time frame they give us.
It sounds to me like you have nothing to worry about. It seems to me as someone else has already mentioned, they think everything is a sign of a problem.
I say, enjoy your little fellow and let him grow into the man God made him.
God bless you,
S.
I've never heard of it, and I'm sorry that the doctor has you worried. I hope all is well.
I don't know what it's called, but there is a family in the town where I live that is like that. There is a mom, her son, and his kids all have the finger in the light socket look, and they are all normal people, and are very nice! If he is developing normal, I'm sure it's nothing!
Interesting, so I decided to look up some research on somemedical sites for you: Good news: is that it is not a developmental delay. O.K. News: is that he may have teeth and skin issues in the future. See details below. Best news: You can use Biotin to enhance the hair cuticles to give him healthier hair.
I found this on healthmad.com: "Have you ever tried to painfully comb your hair and try to make it settle down or spent endlessly on hair gels, hairsprays, head scarfs and shampoos yet never managed to bring down your defiant springing curls? Good news for sufferers. Your culprit has been tracked recently by American scientists as reported by MSNBC, although Germans acknowledged this hair raising issue almost 150 years ago and the French termed it cheveux incoiffables, in 1973." It goes on to define UHS: "commonly known as Uncombable Hair Syndrome usually makes an appearance between 3 months to 12 years of age. It is also called "Pili trianguli et canaliculi" and "Spun glass hair." The hair fibre is inflexible, refusing to lie flat against the scalp and the result is brittle, coarse, straw-like textured hair which cannot be combed flat. Since hair is dependent on Keratin and is similar in its basic structure to teeth and nails, problems such as brittle nails and tooth enamel are part of the parcel."
Solution: "Since it is one of the eight essential vitamins that comprise the Vitamin B-complex, Biotin promotes hair growth and is essential for maintaining healthy hair. Also known as Vitamin H, Biotin is a natural resource offering a break from tangling and uncombable hair and Nutritionists believe that people with certain Biotin deficiencies tend to have dry, stringy and dull hair. However the good news is that you can deliver biotin to your hair in various easier methods other than through ingestion and/or injections. Commonly used in Shampoos and Conditioners, Biotin penetrates and expands the hair shaft resulting in thickening of the hair cuticle and new healthier, richer, combable hair.
HI L.,
I HAVE heard of this... there was just an article on this like a month or so ago... I can't remember where... I THINK it was MSN.com.
It was called uncombable hair syndrome (or spun glass hair). If you google either one there's a bunch of info.
I haven't read anything that says this "syndrome" causes any kind of developmental delays or other problems at all. According to all the articles I've seen it just affects the scalp hair & nothing else.
Best Wishes!
I've never heard of this either...
But I'd sure love to see a photo of your little guys hair lol..sounds adorable to me!
All joking aside I hope everything turns out ok.
S.
Hello L.,
Before the dr does anything I would get a second
opinion, maybe even two other ones. It's to bad he said
anything about his hair before he did research on it, he
might have you worrying for nothing. Maybe you could also
do your own research, the internet has all kinds of information on it now a days. Give it to the Lord he can
take better care of us then we can sometimes, he's in the
Miracle working business.
K.
Sounds like this doctor wants to make more out of it than what it is. I actually see kids with hair that is soft and stands almost straight up.
As long as he is developementally on target, I wouldn't worry about it at all.
