Help with Pulling Hair Out -15 Month Daughter Pulling Her Hair Out

My son did this. When it got particularly bad this past May, we shaved his head. When it started growing back, we shaved it one more time. Now his hair has grown back to pulling length, and he doesn't pull it anymore. I think shaving it left him without hair to pull long enough to break the habit.

Hi K.

My son had this habit when he was in 2nd grade. Anytime he was concentrating at school or doing homework he would pull at his hair in one spot up over his ear. The bald spot was the size of a 1 inch circle. He was not aware that he was doing it. I took a mirror and showed him what happens when he pulled his hair, I also would sit by him when doing homework, and gently remove his hand down from his head when he would get started. I am not surprise of this habit, because when he was a baby and I would breast feed him, he would pull at my eyebrows and my hair. This could have came from that but, I am not sure. I would recommend trying to snuggle or provide a little more attention when you see her doing it. Remove her hand down so maybe your presence and attention can replace the hair pulling. Hope this helps.

One of my sons had this problem as well. I hope that these resources might be helpful for you...

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/6/t064000.asp

http://drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/1981/?id=1981&...

Best wishes,
J.

Hi K.,
I am a licensed daycare provider and one of my daycare children also had this issue, and along with pulling her hair she had trouble transitioning activities. Her mom had her evaluated (FOR FREE!) and they found out that she would benefit from sensory integration therapy which she received FREE through the state. The therapist actually went to their home and worked with her and her mom with "coping" activities and provided great resources/ideas for home and daycare. The added benefit of having your child evaluated is you also get to see the areas of development where they excell--although this child had sensory issues, she was way off the charts for gross motor skills!!
I know that you can contact Clearbrook in Arlington Heights to set up an eval or I just got a flyer from school saying John G Conyers is also holding them soon too. If you are not in this district, then talk to your doctor or search online. Good Luck!!

Jenn Voss--mom to two energetic kids and owner, Jenn Voss Home Daycare in Rolling Meadows

Hi there,
My daughter did that at about 18 months - at naptime. I remember how upset it made me - she was almost bald on one side. I think it was one of two things, or both: it was around the time that my father in law suddenly died. There was a lot of grief and crying around her. She also did not like nap time. So I finally made her naptime later and wore her out in the mornings - it helped and eventually it stopped. I remember finding balls of hair in her crib - it was so upsetting. I wanted to comment so that you know that it's actually pretty common. Try to think about if anything major has changed in her life, or if she is ready for nap at naptime. You could also try getting her a doll with hair so she can feel/pull on that.

My daughter, now 16, also pulled, occasionally still does. Make sure she's not ingesting the hair, which can become serious. She may have some sensory issues. Give her toys/items/balls/games (squishy things)that she can have in her hands to stimulate her fingers/hands, and keep them active. There are vibrating pens,toys,crayons, etc. We used to fill her toybox with beans,and let her play with them using measuring cups. You can place them in a sock for even more fun. Also there are massage items,animals shapes/toys especially out around the holidays, that if you use throughout the day, would be soothing for her and satisfy that stimulation need. We would massage my daughters back, arms, legs, at various times in the day which helped.This also gives her attention, as you're focusing on her. Try braiding her hair, tying it back, as it makes it more difficult to pull.Baths during the day may be soothing for her too. If it continues definitely mention this to you pediatrician. Avoid medication, as statistics show they don't help.
Let us know how she does. L.
www.funbeachcondos.com

Hi - although my kids are much older - if it were me - I would take her to the Jewel and let her pick out a cute little satin sleep cap. Also, during the day, I would let her wear it until this passes. If she has a favorite doll or stuffed animal - buy one for it too! And - if she likes to be like mom - buy one for you.

I would not let her know the cap is to prevent her from pulling out her hair - but because it is fancy!

Hi mom my oldest daughter had this same problem she suck her thumb and pull her hair and there was nothing we could do about it, the doctor said she had a nervous condition and I turely believed it because I went threw so much when I was pregant with her. She did not stop pulling her hair until she was in her teens when she took control of her condition, was into boys and wanted her hair to grow. Good Luck

I strongly suggest getting her evaluated! It could be a sensory issue. Your pediatrician can make a referral to an occupational therapist. I think this could really be beneficial to your daughter, and someone trained in sensory integration evaluation could save you stress, your daughter pain, and aggravation for everyone to see the reasons WHY she's doing this.
All the best to you!

The official name for hair pulling is trichotillomania. There is a website www.trich.org, and lots of other resources online.

At this age, I would agree it is a soothing technique. My daughter was a hair twirler and skin picker at this age. She progressed to an eyebrow/eyelash/arm/leg hair puller a few years later. While I'm not suggesting that this is what the future has in store for your daughter, I would definitely recommend that you work hard to help her find other outlets to soothe herself now to hopefully avoid any future issues. Can she wear a hat/hairnet for naps? Is she looking for something tactile? I agree with other posters to try dolls and toys with lots of hair, tags, etc. I wish I had more to offer, but we are still working on this issue ourselves. Good luck!

i would find a dr that can help, this is a sign of a syndrom, you are so good at noticing this! good luck!
J.

I had seen this somewhere before, so I googled it and this is what I came up with:

http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/tricho...#

Good luck!

K.-

My 23 month old daughter has been doing this since about the same age as your child & is still doing it! I can't offer much advice, as I am in the same boat as you. Have you talked to your pediatrician about it?? I did, and he basically said it is a 'soothing' habit & that she will stop. I'd be interested in hearing how to get them to stop, and your reply's to this. I have thought of everything I could to get her to stop & nothing has worked. Good luck to you & let me know if you find out something.

You need to take her to your pediatrician and have him/her refer you to a specialist to be evaluated I think. I had a student once that pulled her hair out and she was in seventh grade. She had to wear a stocking cap all the time to remind herself not to pull.

My uncle pulled his hair out until he was bald. You are right it is somekind of soothing mechanism, but not one that we can allow her to continue...I think you will need professional help in this for sure.

My daughter did this from birth--it was a soothing mechanism; she'd also pull my hair as she nursed. She would later refuse to wear anything in her hair because it prohibited her from pulling it. I put a doll with long hair in her bed which helped some; she'd then play with the doll's hair rather than her own. While it didn't completely stop her from doing it (she eventually stopped on her own), it lessened it.