Baldness or hair loss is usually something only adults need to
worry about. But in a few cases, teens lose their hair, too - and
it may be a sign that something's going on.
Hair loss during adolescence can mean a person may be sick or
just not eating right. Some medications or medical treatments, like
chemotherapy treatment for cancer, also cause hair loss. People can
even lose their hair if they wear a hairstyle that pulls on the
hair for a long time, such as braids.
Losing hair can be stressful during a time when you're
already concerned about appearance. Most of the time, hair loss
during the teen years is temporary. With temporary hair loss, the
hair usually grows back after the problem that causes it is
corrected.
Hair Basics
Our hair is made of a type of protein called
keratin
. A single hair consists of a hair shaft (the part that shows), a
root below the skin, and a follicle, from which the hair root
grows. At the lower end of the follicle is the hair bulb, where the
hair's color pigment, or melanin, is produced.
Most people lose about 50 to 100 head hairs a day. These hairs
are replaced - they grow back in the same follicle on your head.
This amount of hair loss is totally normal and no cause for worry.
If you're losing more than that, though, something might be
wrong.
If you have hair loss and don't know what's causing it,
talk to your doctor. A doctor can determine why the hair is
falling out and suggest a treatment that will correct the
underlying problem, if necessary.
What Causes Hair Loss?
Here are some of the things that can cause hair loss in
teens:
-
Illnesses or medical conditions.
Endocrine (hormonal) conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes or
thyroid disease, can interfere with hair production and cause
hair loss. People with lupus can also lose hair. The hormone
imbalance that occurs in polycystic ovary syndrome can cause hair
loss in teen girls as well as adult women.
-
Medications.
Some medications that have hair loss as a side effect may be
prescribed for teens. These include acne medicines like
isotretinoin, and lithium, which is used to treat bipolar
disorder. Diet pills that contain amphetamines also can cause
hair loss. Chemotherapy drugs for cancer are probably the most
well-known medications that cause hair loss
-
Alopecia areata.
This skin disease causes hair loss on the scalp and sometimes
elsewhere on the body. It affects 1.7% of the population,
including more than 5 million people in the United States.
Alopecia areata (pronounced: al-uh-
pee
-shuh air-ee-
ah
-tuh) is thought to be an autoimmune disease, in which the hair
follicles are damaged by a person's own immune system. (In
autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy
cells, tissues, and organs in a person's body.) Alopecia
areata usually starts as one or more small, round bald patches on
the scalp. These can get bigger, and in a small number of cases,
can progress to total hair loss. Both guys and girls can get it,
and it often begins in childhood. The hair usually grows back
within a year, but not always. Sometimes people with alopecia
areata lose their hair again.
-
Trichotillomania
(pronounced: trik-o-til-uh-
may
-nee-uh). Trichotillomania is a psychological disorder in which
people repeatedly pull their hair out, often leaving bald
patches. It results in areas of baldness and damaged hairs of
different lengths. People with trichotillomania usually need
professional help from a therapist or other mental health
professional before they are able to stop pulling their hair
out.
-
Hair treatments and styling.
Having your hair chemically treated, such as getting your hair
colored, bleached, straightened, or permed, can cause damage that
may make the hair break off or fall out temporarily. Another type
of baldness that results from hair styling actually can be
permanent: Wearing hair pulled so tightly that it places tension
on the scalp can result in a condition called traction alopecia.
Traction alopecia can be permanent if the style is worn for a
long enough time that it damages the hair follicles.
-
Poor nutrition.
Poor eating can contribute to hair loss. This is why some people
with eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia lose their hair:
The body isn't getting enough protein, vitamins, and minerals
to sustain hair growth. Some teens who are vegetarians also lose
their hair if they don't get enough protein from non-meat
sources. And some athletes are at higher risk for hair loss
because they may be more likely to develop iron-deficiency
anemia.
-
Disruption of the hair growth cycle.
Some major events can alter the hair's growth cycle
temporarily. For example, delivering a baby, having surgery, or
going through a traumatic event can temporarily cause shedding of
large amounts of hair. Because the hair we see on our heads has
actually taken months to grow, a person might not notice any
disruption of the hair growth cycle until months after the event
that caused it. This type of hair loss corrects itself.
-
Androgenetic alopecia.
Among adults, the most common cause of hair loss is androgenetic
(pronounced: an-druh-juh-
neh
-tik) alopecia, sometimes called male-pattern baldness. This
condition is caused by a combination of factors, including
hormones called androgens and genetics. Sometimes, the hair loss
can start as early as the mid-teen years. It also can occur in
people who take steroids like testosterone to build their
bodies.
What Can Doctors Do?
If you see a doctor about hair loss, he or she will ask
questions about your health and family health (called a medical
history) and check your scalp. In some cases, the doctor might take
hair samples and test for certain medical conditions that can cause
hair loss.
If medication is causing hair loss, ask the doctor if you can
take a different drug. If your hair loss is due to an endocrine
condition, like diabetes or thyroid disease, proper treatment and
control of the underlying disorder is important to reduce or
prevent hair loss.
If your doctor recommends it, a product like minoxidil that can
speed up hair growth also might be helpful. Alopecia areata can be
helped by treatment with corticosteroids. If nutritional
deficiencies are found to be causing your hair loss, the doctor
might refer you to a dietitian or other nutrition expert.
Catastrophic Hair Loss
Hair loss can be the first outward sign that a person is sick,
so it may feel scary. Teens who have cancer and lose their hair
because of chemotherapy treatments (especially girls) might go
through a difficult time.
It can help to feel like you have some control over your
appearance when you're losing your hair. When getting
chemotherapy, some people like to cut their hair or shave their
heads before the hair falls out. Some even take the hair they cut
off and have it made into a wig. Many options can help disguise
hair loss - such as wearing wigs, hair wraps, hats, and baseball
caps. For most teens who lose their hair, the hair does return -
including after chemotherapy.
Taking Care of Your Hair
Eating a balanced, healthy diet is important for a lot of
reasons, and it really benefits your hair.
If you're losing hair, some doctors recommend using baby
shampoo, shampooing no more than once a day, and lathering gently.
Don't rub your hair too vigorously with a towel, either. Many
hair experts suggest you consider putting away the blow dryer and
air drying your hair instead. If you can't live without your
blow dryer, try using it on a low heat setting.
Style your hair when it's dry or damp. Styling your hair
while it's wet can cause it to stretch and break. And try to
avoid teasing your hair, which can cause damage. Finally, be
careful when using chemicals - such as straighteners or color - on
your hair, and avoid frequent use of chemical treatments.
Reviewed by:
Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: January 2008
Originally reviewed by:
Eliot N. Mostow, MD, MPH
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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