What Causes Loss Of Hair In Teens ?
Most teens do not get bothered about identifying the relative cause behind their falling hairs. But determining the cause is necessary to start with the right treatment. Hair loss in teens is a clear indication of unusual eating habits (supplying improper nutrients to the body) or sickness. Some medical treatments like chemotherapy may cause hair loss in adolescence. People can even lose their hair if they wear a hairstyle that pulls on the hair for a long time, such as braids. Common cause that cause hair fall in teens are mentioned below -
Illnesses Or Medical Conditions -
Hormonal abnormalities (endocrine conditions) like thyroid problem, diabetes can affect the normal hair growth. Lupus can also initiate hair fall. Girls suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are also found to suffer from hormone imbalance causing hair loss.
Medications -
Some medicines like those used to treat acne (like isotretinoin); treat bipolar disorder (including lithium); diet pills containing amphetamines are commonly seen to cause hair fall. Chemotherapy drugs to treat cancer can also cause fall of hairs.
Alopecia areata -
Alopecia areata is a skin disease that causes baldness on the scalp. It can also cause fall of hairs in other parts of the body. About 1.7% of the total population in the US are seen to have suffered from this disease. The hair follicles get damaged by the body’s own immune system. It starts as small round patches of baldness on the scalp. It can occur as a single patch or many small ones. The patch tends to grow bigger spreading to the entire scalp hair in severe cases. It is common to occur in both boys and girls beginning in their childhood. Sometimes, the hair may grow back in a year but can lose their hair in the long run.
Trichotillomania -
Trichotillomania is a psychological disorder. People with such a disorder have been seen to pull their off repeatedly resulting in bald patches on scalp. Such patients need professional help.
Hair Treatments And Styling -
Treating hairs with chemicals like coloring hairs, straightening hairs, bleaching hairs or perming hairs can cause damage leading to hair breakage. If you wear hair pulled tightly for longer hours, can cause permanent damage to the hairs. This is the result of a condition called traction alopecia.
Poor Nutrition -
Eating improper food and consuming inappropriate nutrition can contribute to the problems of hair loss. People with eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia are also seen to lose their hair. Because their body lacks to obtain the required amount of proteins, vitamins & minerals which would help in sustaining growth in hairs. Even vegetarians who do not consume proper protein also tend to lose hairs. Iron-deficiency anemia is a common cause why athletes lose hairs.
Disruption Of Hair Growth Cycle -
Some major events in our body can interfere with the normal growth cycle of the hair. Example – pregnancy, delivering a baby, traumatic event, surgery can lead to huge hair shedding.
Androgenetic alopecia -
This is the mostly seen in adults. It is also named as male-pattern baldness. In such cases, hair loss may start in mid-teens and also in teens taking steroids like testosterone to build their bodies.
