If your child pulls, tugs, chews, or constantly twists their hair, they may suffer from trichotillomania. Trichotillomania is a mental disorder that can come on rather suddenly and often goes away on its own over time. While your child is suffering from it, there are things that you can do to help minimize the amount of hair that they actually pull out of their head. The following guide provides you with five methods to use when you want to help your child battle their trichotillomania.
Keep His or Her Hair Wet
Wet hair is often slippery and harder to grab than dry hair. Having wet hair can make it difficult for your child to pull on his or her hair. You should simply use a spray bottle to spray your child’s hair if you notice that they are starting to pull it.
Keep His or Her Hair Short
Short hair is difficult to grab and pull because there isn’t a lot to hold onto. When you notice that your child has started to tug on their hair, get their hair cut as short as you possibly can. You want them to still feel comfortable with the way that they look, but the less hair they have to pull, the better.
Keep His or Her Hands Occupied
When your child has idle hands, they can zone out and start to pull, twist, or chew their hair. It’s best to give him or her something to do with their hands to decrease the chances of them pulling it. You could use a fidget toy, clay, or simply blocks for them to use to keep their hands busy during times of idleness.
Help Him or Her Burn Up Excess Energy
Children who have a lot of pent-up energy will often exhibit the symptoms of trichotillomania. Make sure that your child gets plenty of exercise throughout the day so that they don’t have energy built up. Have them go for a run, allow them to jump on a trampoline, or simply take them to the park to get the exercise that they need.
Change His or Her Diet
Providing your child with a well-balanced diet is important for many reasons. Children who suffer from trichotillomania shouldn’t eat a lot of sugar because it can cause their symptoms to become exasperated. It’s best to limit their diet to natural sugars found in fruits and vegetables whenever possible.
Trichotillomania is a condition that will often go away over time. Talk to your child about the way that he or she is feeling, and you may be able to diminish the symptoms of trichotillomania that your child experiences.
At Genesis II, our highest quality hair replacement solutions give children the confidence to socialize with family and friends and carry on their normal lives while maintaining as much privacy about their hair loss condition or treatments as they wish. To schedule a free consultation call us at (315) 458-1074 or to contact us via email click here.
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