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Read Dr. Elena Krasnov's Weekly Column in the Health & Fitness section of the 24 Hours Magazine. Look for new articles every week!

Monday, June 07, 2010

Causes of Hair Loss in Teens

Q: My seventeen year old daughter is losing her hair. What are the causes and cures of hair loss?

A: One type of hair loss that can occur in teens is Alopecia areata, the same type of hair loss that is prominent in adults. Teenagers may notice one or two inch, circular bald spots suddenly. Tinea Capitis is another reason why some teenagers experience hair loss. This condition is also known as scalp ringworm, which is a fungus that can cause hair to be lost in patches, hair to be broken, and the scalp to be affected. Tinia Capitis is contagious, therefore be certain to treat it with anti-fungal shampoos immediately upon discovery.

I frequently find hair loss in young people associated with stress or with nutritional deficiencies, or both. Environmental toxicity is often implicated and extensive testing may be required. Hormonal fluctuations from birth control pills or thyroid disorders need to be ruled out. Iron deficiency anemia is common in girls who diet extensively or have heavy menstrual bleeding. It is best that your daughter get her blood work done by a physician to rule out hormonal imbalance or nutritional deficiency. Tests for environmental toxins can be done by either blood, urine or hair analysis. All my patients get tested by a special scan that can detect minute changes at the cell level thus allowing detection of possible metabolic irregularities.

Teenagers frequently have nutrient deficiencies for various reasons. To help them get the knowledge they need to overcome adversity in the world of nutrition and to educate them for the future we are introducing educational sessions with our holistic nutritionist this fall. The program is designed to help people sort out confusing nutritional information and to get educated on the art of eating right.

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Dr. Elena Krasnov is a registered Naturopathic Doctor and Clinic Director of the Toronto Naturopathic Clinic. Submit your questions online at 24hrs.ca

Co-written by Miranda Tallon-Malisani Holistic Nutritionist