Most adolescents and adults lose anywhere from 50 to 100 hairs every day, notes the Nemours Foundation on its TeensHealth website. Loss of significantly more, or hair loss that results in bald spots, is far less common for a teenager than for an adult. While the same natural hair loss seen in adulthood can affect a 15-year-old, it's more likely that teenage hair loss signals that something is wrong.
Telogen Effluvium
Telogen effluvium, which generally triggers significant hair loss in a brief time, is a possible cause of hair loss on a 15-year-old. Up to 70 percent of hair can fall off within a few months, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Telogen effluvium refers to hair loss caused by some sort of stress or shock to the body's system.
This type of hair loss has a variety of causes. High fever, infections and severe illnesses, including diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome and hormonal or thyroid disorders, are among the more common causes. Medications can cause telogen effluvium as well. Antidepressants, retinoids, calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, diet pills and chemotherapy are all known to prompt hair loss.
Poor nutrition, particularly a protein deficiency or iron-deficient anemia, can also cause telogen effluvium in a teenager, according to TeensHealth. Crash diets and eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, can produce the same result. Child birth, major surgery, major psychological stress and trauma can also cause hair loss on a 15-year-old.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is a skin disorder, believed to be autoimmune, affecting about 5 million people in the United States, according to Nemours. Typically, hair is lost in circular patches of up to about 2 inches in diameter. Lost hair grows back within about a year for more than 80 percent of people who suffer from the condition, says the medical advisory board-reviewed adolescent health website TeenGrowth.com.
Traction Alopecia
A 15-year-old may lose hair from damage done by over-styling, a condition known as traction alopecia. Beauty efforts can do physical and chemical damage to hair, explains TeenGrowth.com. Excessive combing, brushing, cleaning, teasing, perming, straightening, braiding, tightly pulling, blow drying, bleaching or dying can all damage the hair and cause it to fall out.
Androgenetic Alopecia
Androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness, is the most common cause of hair loss in adults, according to TeensHealth. Its causes are complex and not fully understood, but hormones and heredity are strong factors. This type of hair loss is known to occasionally have an early onset, even in the teenage years. Supplementing with steroids for bodybuilding can trigger this condition, as well.
Tinea Capitis
Tinea capitis, otherwise known as scalp ringworm, is a fungal infection that causes hair loss. Hair usually falls out in round patterns, and the head may develop a stubbly appearance due to hair breakage near the surface of the scalp. Itchiness and scaly skin are other common symptoms. Hair grows back after successful treatment with an antifungal medication.
Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania is a psychological disorder characterized by compulsively pulling out hair, generally from the scalp, but also sometimes from the eyebrows, eyelashes or elsewhere on the body. Hairs are typically plucked out in specific areas, resulting in patches of baldness. Therapy and anti-anxiety medications are standard treatments for this disorder.
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