Many teenagers of both sexes can be as susceptible to hair loss as adults.
Many people equate hair loss, known medically as alopecia areata, as a condition suffered by adults, but there are occasions when teenagers lose their hair as well. This condition is common among males, but young women can also suffer from hair loss.Teen hair loss is often temporary, and the hair normally returns when the cause of its loss is corrected .
Vitamin Deficiency
Vitamin deficiency in a teen's diet can cause hair loss. The desire for "junk food" keeps him from enjoying proper nutrition without which there can be thinning or balding. Hair loss can also be due to an autoimmune disease, in which follicles of the hair are attacked by the immune system. A deficiency in Vitamin D can contribute to this disease. Multivitamins and other reliable dietary supplements can aid in the prevention of further hair loss.
Male-Pattern Baldness
Male-pattern baldness, which is seen more often in adult males, can also occur in teen-aged boys as young as 14. While genetics or heredity can contribute to this condition, it can also be caused by steroids such as testosterones and androgens. A popular medical treatment for male-pattern baldness, Finasteride, cannot be legally prescribed for anyone under the age of 18. A teen-aged male can use natural treatments and hairpieces until he is reaches that age.
Hair Treatments
Excessive personal treatments of a teen's hair can also cause hair loss. Treatments such as curling, teasing, hair-drying and bleach or heat treatments can cause this condition, known as traction alopecia. The hair loss can also occur when the teen regularly wears tight hairstyles or ponytails. If this is determined to be the cause of a young person's hair loss, the hair stops falling out when teen no longer treats her hair in extreme manners.
Ringworm
Another cause of in some teenagers is scalp ringworm, or tinea capitis. This condition is caused by a fungus and can cause hair to come out in patches or to be broken. Tinea Capitis is contagious so the affected teen should treat his hair with antifungal shampoo as soon as the condition has been discovered. His doctor may prescribe antifungal medication such as griseofulvin to treat the condition.
Medical Conditions
Thyroid and hormonal disorders as well as other medical conditions can also contribute to hair loss. Certain medications can also cause hair loss as a side effect. Among these are birth-control pills, acne medicines and drugs containing amphetamines and chemotherapy medications. Consulting with a teen's physician can determine if the hair loss is medically based. At that time, the doctor may be able to prescribe alternative medications. While some teens may be genetically predisposed to hair loss, the condition can be triggered by a virus or something within the victim's environment.
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