A doctor has named the causes of hair loss in teenagers

A teenager's hair loss can be caused, among other things, by the lack of a hat in winter or iron deficiency, Vera Serezhina, a medical expert at the medical company LabQuest, told Izvestia on January 29.

"One of the main reasons is the lack of hats in the cold season, which is especially true in our climatic zone. Teenagers often ignore the need to protect the head from the cold, and this leads to spasm of the scalp vessels. As a result, hair follicles begin to under-receive the necessary nutrients, their nutrition deteriorates, and hair begins to fall out. This factor is especially noticeable in winter and spring, when the body is weakened," the expert explained.

In addition, she noted that teenagers are affected by hormonal changes associated with rapid growth and restructuring of the body. For example, hypothyroidism, which is characterized by a lack of thyroid hormones, can be a serious factor in hair loss.

"This condition is accompanied not only by hair loss and brittleness, but also by general symptoms - fatigue, sleepiness, swelling. Many write off such manifestations to stress, school loads or lack of sleep, but in fact the problem may be deeper," - specified the doctor.

Another reason she called iron deficiency, which occurs against the background of improper nutrition. Teenagers are fond of fast food, forgetting about the importance of a nutritious diet. As a result, the body does not get enough iron, necessary for healthy hair growth. Lack of this trace element leads to deterioration of hair, they become thin, weak and fall out. Serezhina emphasized that iron is not just one of the elements of nutrition, it is responsible for the transport of oxygen to all tissues of the body, including the scalp.

"An important factor that is often overlooked is a suffered but undiagnosed covid infection. Even a mild form of COVID-19 can leave behind serious consequences, including hair loss. Doctors note that after recovery, hair begins to fall out en masse after a few months, and this is due to the disruption of metabolic processes caused by the virus," she added.

In addition, this situation can be affected by fungal infections of the scalp, such as dermatophytes. They lead to localized hair loss and require a quick response. As the expert explained, such infections can be diagnosed by PCR analysis, which determines the presence of fungi in the hair and on the scalp.

"Circulatory problems also play a role. If the cervical spine is constricted, this can lead to impaired blood flow, which means that the nourishment of hair follicles is impaired. As a result, hair becomes weaker and begins to fall out. In addition, lack of blood circulation can affect the thyroid gland, creating a vicious circle, where one problem pulls another," added Serezhina.

According to her, liver or pancreas disorders can lead to problems. These organs are responsible for metabolic processes in the body, and their failures immediately affect the condition of hair. For example, skin itching without visible rashes can be a signal of high blood sugar levels or problems with bile acids.

"Many people believe that the main cause of hair loss is a lack of vitamins, but this is far from true. Yes, a deficiency of zinc or other micronutrients can exacerbate the problem, but it is rarely the root cause. Hair more often reacts to internal malfunctions in the body, such as hormonal changes, infectious diseases or circulation problems," the doctor explained.

She recommended that before buying expensive shampoos or vitamins, she should consult a specialist who will help identify the true cause of the problem.

Earlier, on December 25, 2024, it was reported that in winter 60% of surveyed Russians faced increased hair loss. Only 30% of them were ready to seek help from a specialist. Instead, many preferred folk remedies. This is stated in the study "Profi.ru".