We tend to associate hair loss with older women. Because this is when women often suffer from various health problems, so when teenagers complain about hair loss It’s not just the kids who are worried. but also the mother Losing just a few hairs shouldn’t be a shock. But if you find lumps of hair on the floor after running your fingers through or combing your hair. You should look for the cause behind it. Experts reveal the causes of teenage hair loss and how to cope.
To find out the cause of hair loss in adolescents, HealthShots connected with Dr Navya P, Consultant Dermatologist, Manipal Hospital, Yeshwanthpur, Bengaluru.
Causes of hair loss in adolescents
1. Genetics
Sometimes it’s the genes to blame for hair loss. Androgenetic alopecia, also known as female pattern baldness, is a genetic form of hair loss, says Dr. Navee. Although this pattern usually begins in adulthood But it can also happen during adolescence.
2. Nutrition
Adolescence is a time when you pay a lot of attention to your appearance and weight, so you may end up eating less. irregular diet or have an eating disorder There may also be digestive problems. All of this leads to deficiencies in important nutrients such as iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, zinc, biotin and protein, which are important for hair growth.
3. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
It is a condition in which testosterone levels are higher than normal. Women with PCOS find themselves gaining weight. But it negatively affects the scalp and hair growth. (An effective way to combat hair loss caused by PCOS)
4. Thyroid Imbalance
Experts say that thyroid conditions that lead to an increase or decrease in thyroid hormone production can lead to brittle hair and hair loss.
5. Hair Treatment
Changing hair color is fun. But regular coloring or chemical treatments like straightening and smoothing your hair will break the disulfide bonds of the hair shaft. This leads to loss of hair strength and then to breakage which leads to increased hair loss.
6. How to care and style hair
Using hot water while washing hair Choosing a harsh shampoo combing wet hair or tight hair tie All of them can cause hair loss.
7. Sickness
Typhoid, dengue fever, COVID-19, or prolonged illness or surgery can lead to a condition called telogen effluvium, a condition in which hair loss is reversible.
8. Trichotillomania
Dr. Navya says it’s a mental illness in which a person pulling out his own hair and is most common between the ages of 10 and 15
9. Stress
Whether it’s exams or problems with friends. Teens can be stressed too. It turns out that increased stress levels cause more hair loss and acne in teenage girls.
10. Scalp Disorders
Dandruff, when more fungi grow on the scalp. This means you will have to say goodbye to multiple hair strands. (Home remedies for dandruff) There are also other symptoms such as patchy hair loss. in which the immune system attacks hair follicles and ringworm infection, which causes itchy, scaly scalps.
Tips for solving hair loss problems
Adolescent hair loss has many solutions. Some of them include:
• Accurate diagnosis and early treatment. Helps in dealing with hair loss.
• Eat foods rich in iron and protein. So start eating dates, green leafy vegetables, lentils, chicken, fish, eggs and beans (protein-rich foods).
• Avoid tight hairstyles. Reduce the use of heating tools. And the use of thermal protection devices will be useful.
• Controlling dandruff with regular scalp cleansing and anti-dandruff shampoo can help.
• A visit to a dermatologist to assess the scalp or hair with blood tests and a scalp biopsy can help in making a diagnosis and initiating appropriate treatment.
