Doc suspects toxin has role in case of thinning hair

September 6, 1999

PEDIATRICS

March 23, 1999

My sister and her family (husband, three children ages 1-7) are experiencing

thinning of their hair and also a change in the texture of their hair. They

do not see patches falling out. It seems to be gradual. They have ruled out

food, detergents and cleansing agents. They live on property previously

farmed. They live in a trailer, and my sister has noticed mold in some

areas. Their doctor does not know what the problem could be. He gave them

some shampoo to try. Could the problem be a mold or fungus? Lead poisoning?

Any other ideas?

" If you were looking for some sort of environmental cause for this type of

hair loss, arsenic is a possibility, " says Bonfiglio, director of the

Middle Tennessee Poison Control Center.

" Given the fact that this is former farmland, you might try to see what was

once grown there. This may lead you to identify some possible herbicides or

pesticides commonly used for various crops. Tobacco farmers once used

arsenic to kill tobacco worms. Arsenic gets into the soil and does not

easily degrade. It can also get into the ground water. If you are drinking

well water, you might want to have it tested.

" It is obvious the whole family is being exposed to something. I wouldn't

rule out other toxins. Arsenic can be detected with a 24-hour urine test. I

would start with thorough exams of the children by your doctor to see what

might be causing this. "

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