Thinning spot

Hello Doctor - My son is 7 years old and a few weeks ago (right after a short haircut) my wife noticed what she called a "gnarly ingrown hair" on the side of his head, above his ear. She squeezed it and extracted it like a blackhead.  Now he has a patch of thinning hair around the same area where he had the ingrown hair.  His pediatrician told us she wasn't sure what it was but it might be a reaction to the ingrown hair (which might have been an infection) or alopecia areata and to wait a few months to see what happens.

I'd like to know your opinion and recommendation on what the next step should be, wait a few months, ask for blood test to determine if it's alopecia, etc.

Thank you

[Jasmina Jankicevic, MD, MSc, CCRP]

Welcome to the Dermatology Expert Forum!

From what you described (localized inflammatory reaction followed by hair loss in affected area), it would be justified to investigate and exclude infections of the scalp first.

There is no reason to wait before scheduling an appointment with a dermatologist. You need final diagnosis, and if proven to be an infection, therapy should be initiated promptly.

If you have a clear picture of the affected area to share with us, please do so. We shall get back to you with our comment.

Wishing You Optimal Health,
Dr Jasmina Jankicevic

[JT37]

Thank you Doctor.  Below are 2 links to pictures.  Some additional information:
- Hair doesn't come out easily when pulled
- It seems a little dryer than rest of hair and definitely thinner
- Skin doesn't appear irritated
- Ingrown hair spot has healed completely

It looks like it's been going on for about a month but it just may have become noticeable after his haircut.

I did make an appt. with a dermatologist for Tuesday  but I'd appreciate your opinion on what I should ask be done (tests?) in the appointment.

Thank you very much

http://s1105.photobucket.com/albums/h342/jtribu/?action=view&current=097.jpg

http://s1105.photobucket.com/albums/h342/jtribu/?action=view&current=096.jpg

[Jasmina Jankicevic, MD, MSc, CCRP]

Dear JT37,

It is great that you will be seeing a dermatologist. Based on photographs you posted, Temporal Triangular Alopecia is another diagnosis we would recommend to be looked into.

Wishing You Optimal Health,
Dr. Jasmina Jankicevic

[Kris1266]

Hello Doctors:

My 9yr old son is blonde with blue eyes, and we live in Florida.
He complains because he's 'the only kid in school that always
has to wear sunscreen!'  He WILL NOT allow anyone to see him
without a shirt, especially a SPF 50 swim shirt.  We're not sure
why.

We noticed a peach/brown colored mole on his left upper
shoulder back in March.  We watched it and then I decided
to take him to my derm P.A.  She didn't like it, as the borders
had begun to change, already! She did a biopsy.

Pathology showed abnormal cell growth, a dysplastic nevus.

He has a border line IgG deficiency and in all the paperwork
she provided, I read that an immune def can exacerbate
the problem.

Just wondering if you think we should do an excision of the area.
We have no skin cancer in our family, but my husband
also being blonde with blue eyes, has had several moles
biopsied, no abnormal cell growths for him, thankfully.

Thank You for any help you can offer us,