Alopecia in adolescents-A survey

Abstract

AIM: To know the causes of alopecia and to know the psychological disturbance they undergo. BACKGROUND: Alopecia is a common and unwelcome cause of hair loss in men and women. Alopecia also occurs in adolescents, though its prevalence in this younger population is not known. Physical appearance is extremely important to most adolescents, and early onset of hair loss can have a definite negative effect on self-image and self-esteem. Approximately 50% of men have some degree of male pattern hair loss by 40 years of age. Male pattern hair loss is an expected, although often unwelcome, consequence of heredity. It is not always realized, however, that women have a similar incidence of female pattern hair loss. An understanding of physiology of hair growth is essential to the understanding of hair loss. Hair growth occurs in a 3-phase cycle: anagen growth phase, catagen transitional phase, and telogen resting phase. The duration of the anagen growth phase of scalp hair varies between 2 and 6 years. Individuals with a longer anagen growth phase are able to grow longer hair. Approximately 90% to 95% of scalp hairs are normally in anagen growth .For some people hair loss starts during puberty. REASON: Alopecia is becoming more common among the adolescents, so a survey is conducted to know the causes and psychological disturbances they undergo because of it.