Poliosis or White Streak in The Hair

Poliosis is a condition in which a person gets a portion of white hair even while having their normal hair color. The word “poliosis” is derived from the Greek word “polios,” which denotes gray. Both men and women are equally susceptible to this illness. Melanin, the primary pigment responsible for the pigmentation of the skin and hair, is crucial to understanding this condition. Melanin levels in the hair follicles of those with this disorder are low or nonexistent. However, you can conceal this white hair using a scarf, cap, or hair color. Poliosis can coexist with major medical issues, even though it is not damaging to your health in and of itself.

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Polliosis or white streak in children—is it possible?

Grey hair is naturally expected in parents and other adults before children and infants, but it is quite possible for kids to grow white hair. This condition might be a concern for most parents, who might think it is a sign of something terrible, especially when it occurs in more than just a few strands.

Here are some things to know about the causes and treatment of white hair in kids.

Causes in kids

It is common for little kids to grow a single strand of white hair, and there is nothing to worry about, especially when the child has naturally dark hair. But when several white or gray hairs appear at a tender age, that is a rare case of poliosis, typically occurring before 30 in black people and before 20 in white people. A child may spot patches of gray hair for several reasons, which include:

Heredity

Poliosis causes melanin and melanocytes to be reduced or missing in the hair bulbs of afflicted hair follicles. Poliosis is known to occur in the context of various genetic syndromes, including piebaldism, Waardenburg syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis. This type of poliosis is characterized by a decrease of melanin in the afflicted hair shafts. White patches on the hair are sometimes inherited. They can appear at birth as a result of gene mutations and any other genetic disorders.

Exposure to the environment

Gray hair is frequently associated with stress. Physical or mental stress is rarely significant enough to produce premature graying in young children (or, in most cases, teens). However, environmental stress can trigger premature graying. Hair can become colorless due to exposure to pollution, UV radiation, and even strong shampoos or hair treatments. The most damaging cause may be passive smoking, which may age hair, even if it is secondhand smoke.

Vitamin insufficiency

If the child is persistently deficient in certain vitamins and nutrients, it can result in premature graying. These are some examples: B12 vitamin. This superfood vitamin promotes blood health and can help prevent anemia. It has, however, been associated with premature graying. In participants under 25 years of age, who were prematurely graying, researchers found reduced amounts of B12. Copper and zinc. A deficiency may also cause premature graying in zinc, copper, and selenium.

The mineral folic acid: Folic acid deficiency is another vitamin shortfall that can induce premature graying. A folic acid deficiency was found in people under 20 years who were prematurely graying. The vitamin D. Here’s another justification for ensuring that your kid gets enough sunlight daily: High school kids with prematurely gray hair had insufficient vitamin D levels. A lack of these vitamins might also affect children’s hair color.

Medical issues

A few medical disorders can also bring children’s premature graying. These might be conditions like vitiligo. Children with vitiligo may develop premature gray hair because the skin disorder vitiligo damages the pigment-producing regions of their hair follicles. A discussion on any potential medical causes for the child’s gray hair with their doctor might be necessary if they are a younger child rather than a teenager.

Thyroid condition. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can negatively impact the health of the hair. This impact also includes bringing on early graying. Areata alopecia. An autoimmune condition called alopecia areata can result in the abrupt loss of regions of hair. Grayness may be seen briefly or permanently when the hair regrows.

Poor diet

Junk food is usually enough to keep most kids alive; however, over time, a continuously bad diet may have an impact on the child’s hair health. Hypopigmentation, or areas of skin that are lighter in tone, can be brought on by a protein deficit and the absence of other essential nutrients. That is consistent with the link connecting folic acid and early graying. Persons with poor diets frequently have folate insufficiency, which frequently results in anemia and a lack of B12.

How to deal with the poliosis in children

Unfortunately, it might be challenging to treat white hairs. Everyone over 35 years old would use it if there were a simple way to get rid of white hair. However, people have few choices if the child is prematurely graying.

• Address health concerns. There isn’t a magic remedy that kids can take to stop gray hairs from growing, but parents can engage doctors to encourage healthier hair growth if the child’s premature graying has an identifiable cause. For instance, managing the child’s thyroid health may prevent the formation of gray hairs if they have a thyroid disorder. Additionally, the child’s physician can assist with applying some home cures or including specific foods and supplements in the child’s diet, like the B complex vitamin, which may promote healthy hair color.

• Color it. To hide gray hair, tint the child’s hair. Although experts disagree on whether children can properly use permanent dye, most temporary, wash-out colorants are safe for children. Just bear in mind that dyeing the hair requires ongoing maintenance as the hair grows.

• Just let it be. The child’s white hair may be reversible, so it may be best to leave the whites alone, depending on the cause. They will eventually shed, and new, maybe colored hair will appear. The child can accept the white hair and let it be, even though it is not reversible.

Conclusion 

Various genetic, dietary, and environmental factors may cause white hair in kids. Although most root causes are not preventable, this illness is rarely a reason for concern and typically has no negative impact on a child’s overall health. Nevertheless, if there are concerns about the child’s premature graying of hair, consult a doctor to understand the causes and available remedies or treatments.

Also, the child should be provided with adequate emotional support to avoid the negative impacts of this disease on their mental well-being.