Hair Loss – A Growing Problem With Younger People

Hair loss is typically an adult problem but can also affect teens. When it happens at an early age, it is usually a sign of illness, or something going wrong in the body. Hair loss can be stressful when it happens at a younger age, but if it is due to illness, then the hair usually grows back. In normal healthy individuals, losing 50 to 100 head hairs a day is no matter for concern. If hair loss is more and 50 to 100 regularly, then something may be wrong. Continuous hair loss leads to balding, in medical terms known as alopecia.

Causes of Hair Loss

Hair loss during adolescence is usually due to illness like diabetes or thyroid disease. Teenagers or adults suffering from kidney or liver problems may also lose hair. Hormonal imbalances in lactating women may also be one of the reasons. Medication having hair loss as one of the side effects may also be a reason. Chemotherapy treatment can also cause hair loss.

A strand of hair consists of the hair shaft, root below the scalp and a follicile from where the hair root grows. Certain skin diseases which damage hair follicles may also cause hair loss. At first there is a bald patch on the scalp, and if left untreated may progress to total baldness. Psychological disorders may also be a cause of hair loss, where the individual pulls the hair out which result in bald patches. Using strong chemicals for hair styling may also be one reason for hair loss in young people. Such loss may either be temporary or permanent. If the hair is pulled down tightly as a style, it could cause stress on the scalp which could cause the hair to break or be pulled off from the root.

One of the very common contributing factors for hair loss is poor eating habits. If the body does not get enough vitamins, minerals and proteins, hair loss may occur. Most teenage vegetarians who are unable to supplement proteins from non-meat diets have problems. People who have iron-deficient eating habits also are at higher risk of losing hair. Sudden events like surgery, anesthesia, having a baby may disrupt the hair growth cycle. This is a temporary phenomenon and over a period of time the hair grows back. 

Hair loss is the first outward sign of something going wrong in the body which should not be taken lightly. Eating and a nutritious diet is one of the easiest ways to stop hair loss. Using safe shampoos, hair oils and treating hair gently can prevent from premature hair loss.