We tend to associate hair loss with older women. This is because it is the time when women are often attacked by various health problems. Therefore, when a teenager complains of hair loss, it is not only a concern for the child but also for the mother. Losing just a few strands of hair doesn’t have to be scary. But if you find your hair balls down after running your fingers through your hair or combing, you should look for the reason behind it. An expert shares the causes of hair loss in teenagers and what to do about it.
To find out the causes of hair loss in teenagers, HealthShots connected with Dr Navya P, Specialist Dermatologist, Manipal Hospital, Yeshwanthpur, Bengaluru.
Reasons for hair loss in young people
1. Heredity
Sometimes, genetics are to blame for hair loss. Androgenetic alopecia, also known as female pattern baldness, is genetic hair loss, says Dr Navya. The tresses gradually begin to thin out with the hair parting. Although this pattern usually begins in adulthood, it can also occur during the teenage years.
2. Nutrition
The teenage years are a time when you focus a lot on your appearance and weight. Therefore, you may end up eating less, crash dieting or have eating disorders. There may be digestive problems as well. All this leads to a lack of essential nutrients such as iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, zinc, biotin and proteins that are important for hair growth.
3. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
It is a condition where testosterone levels are higher than normal. Women with PCOS find themselves gaining weight, but it also has a negative impact on scalp and hair growth (effective ways to combat hair loss caused by PCOS).
4. Thyroid imbalance
This expert says that thyroid conditions that lead to increased or decreased production of thyroid hormones can cause hair loss and hair loss.
5. Hair treatment
It’s fun to change your hair color, but regular hair color or chemical treatments like straightening and straightening break the disulfide bonds of the hair shaft. This leads to loss of hair strength and breakage, which leads to increased hair loss.
6. Hair care and styling techniques
Using hot water while washing hair, choosing harsh shampoos, combing wet hair or tying tight hair can lead to hair loss.
7. Illness
Typhoid, dengue, Covid-19 or prolonged illness or surgery can lead to a condition called telogen effluvium, which is a reversible condition of hair loss.
8. Trichotillomania
It’s a mental disorder where a person pulls their hair, and it usually appears between the ages of 10 and 15, says Dr Navya.
9. Pressure
Whether it’s exams or problems with peers, teenagers can become stressed. It turns out that increased stress levels increase hair loss and acne in teenage girls.
10. Skin disorders
Dandruff where fungal growth spreads over the skin means you will have to say goodbye to many strands of your hair (dandruff home remedies). There are other conditions such as alopecia areata where the immune system attacks the hair follicles, and ringworm which causes itching and patches of scalp.
Tips to deal with hair loss
The problem of hair loss in teenagers has many solutions. Some include:
• Proper diagnosis and early treatment help to deal with hair loss.
• Foods rich in iron and protein should be included, so start eating dates, green leafy vegetables, lentils, chicken, fish, eggs and nuts (high protein foods).
• Avoiding rough hair, limiting the use of heat tools and using heat protectants can be helpful.
• Controlling dandruff by regularly cleansing the scalp and using anti-dandruff shampoos can help.
• Visiting a dermatologist for a scalp or hair examination with a blood test and scalp biopsy will help diagnose the underlying condition and help start the right treatment.
