It is known that every human sheds at least 50 to 100 strands daily. It’s a natural occurrence incapable of causing hair thinning or baldness because as the hair sheds, there’s new hair growth. This process of shedding and regrowth is known as the hair growth cycle, which occurs in three different stages before we see the hair on our heads. Hair loss usually occurs as a sign of aging. But Alopecia in Young People can occur, on some occasions.
A halt to this hair growth cycle results in alopecia. Similarly, alopecia also occurs when hair follicles are damaged and they’re replaced with scar tissues incapable of growing hair. It can happen to adults and young people and is caused by several factors, some of which are self-induced while others aren’t. Whatever the cause is, it’s important to find a treatment for it as soon as possible.
So if you’re a young person experiencing alopecia and looking for what to do, this article is for you. Here, we will discuss some of the causes of alopecia because they affect the treatment most suitable for you. After this, we will recommend some effective ways of treating the condition in young people. So let’s get on with it.
What Causes Alopecia in Young People?
While alopecia is more common among adults, young people are not immune to it. For young people, it’s caused by one or all of the following:
1. Family History
It’s estimated that about 20% of young people experiencing alopecia have parents or family members who have experienced the same at some point. This means sharing genetic traits with family members or relatives who have experienced the condition may be the reason for yours. The type of hair loss caused by genetics is identified as androgenetic alopecia.
It happens in male and female people; that’s why it’s otherwise known as male-patterned baldness and female-patterned baldness, respectively. For males, you can identify it once you see an M, U, or V shape at the front of the hair. While for females, you can identify it when you notice thinning at the center of the hair.
2. Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition when the immune system mistakes healthy tissues for aliens and begins attacking them one after the other. When this happens, it affects many body parts, including the hair; that’s why it’s considered a type of hair loss. It is unique in the way its surface slowly in round patches around the head, all of which connect and lead to a significant hair loss.
It affects millions of people all over the world irrespective of their age, sex, and race. For some people, it begins in childhood, while for others, it begins immediately after puberty.
3. Bad Hair Treatments
As you’re aware, youthfulness is characterized by several exuberant acts with little or no regard for negative consequences. An example of these acts is the kind of treatment young people give their hair. These treatments include hair coloring, excess heat styling, dependence on chemically processed hair products, tight haircuts, bleaching, overwashing, etc.
The reality is that the hair is too frail to survive all these kinds of treatments. So when you do it consistently, it leads to alopecia. And if you don’t find a solution on time, they may cause irredeemable damage to the hair.
4. Malnutrition
Lack of proper nutrition also triggers alopecia in many young people. It is characterized by eating too much food, too little food without the necessary nutritional components for hair growth. In other words, when nutritional equilibrium is not achieved through feeding, it also leads to alopecia.
If nutrients like keratin, biotin, niacin, proteins, irons, vitamins, and others are not present in the food eaten, alopecia occurs in little or no time.
Effective Ways of Treating Alopecia in Young People
Young people can effectively treat alopecia through the following ways:
1. Contact Immunotherapy
Contact immunotherapy, known as topical immunotherapy, is one of the oldest treatment options for alopecia amongst young people. Dermatologists have used it for over 30 years, and it has been effective for alopecia areata. It essentially creates balance in patients’ immune systems to stop them from attacking healthy tissues that are wrongly perceived as foreign or alien.
2. Corticosteroid Injection
This is another treatment young people can use to correct alopecia. It is externally applied to bald areas of the head. It helps to reduce inflammatory activities that are causing hair loss. Once this injection is administered the way it ought, patients can expect results the fourth week after receiving it. It also has pills taken orally to double its effects in correcting hair loss.
3. Proper Nutrition
You can never displace the significance of eating good food. Its benefits are far-reaching such that it extends to hair health. So if you’re the type that is serious about treating your alopecia, you may need to improve your food intake by focusing on those that contain hair growth nutrients. This serves dual purposes because as the body enjoys it, so does the hair.
4. Proper Hair Treatment
The hair is overly formative in how we look; hence, it deserves to be gently treated. For those experiencing alopecia, the symptoms you see are a note from your hair that your harsh treatment has become unbearable. So you should stop them and take more gentle care that benefits the hair and furthers its health.
5. Topical Anthralin
Topical anthralin is an innovative treatment for alopecia that stimulates patients’ immune systems so that they can develop tissues that encourage regrowth. It is a cream some people call scalp sterilizer, which can be applied once a day around balding spots. Topical anthralin is considered one of the fastest treatments for alopecia, and you can apply it without the help of a dermatologist.
when to see the doctor to diagnose Alopecia in Young People
All these treatments mentioned in this post have proven effective in correcting alopecia. However, suppose you try it all with no significant change. In that case, you need a proper clinical diagnosis from a doctor to determine whether another underlying ailment or condition causes your hair loss.
Conclusion About Alopecia in Young People
As a young person, alopecia may be one of the toughest conditions you’ll ever experience. But the good news is there are ways to treat it, as identified in this post. Follow each of them along with your dermatologist’s recommendations. Good luck!