Gray hair is usually a sign of aging, so it can be extremely upsetting for a parent to discover gray hair in children. This early gray hair can result from a variety of conditions and is most common in Caucasian children. Treatment of gray hair in children depends on the underlying cause of the condition, but simple medical tests can determine such causes.
Types
Typical gray hair in children is the result of premature graying, called canities. Although there are several causes of canities, the appearance always mimics the natural graying expected with age. If the gray hair appears in a large patch, surrounded by colored hair, this is poliosis, a condition resulting from the death of pigment cells in one area.
Significance
There are several common causes of gray hair in children. The most common cause is genetic, and families with a history of premature graying should not be surprised to see gray hair in children. Vitamin B-12 deficiency is another major cause of gray hair. This deficiency is more often the result of an inability to process the vitamin and can be triggered by stomach or intestinal surgery, intestinal diseases or parasites and congenital disorders. Less common causes of childhood gray hair include thyroid, immune system and genetic disorders.
Identification
The causes of gray hair in children can be found by medical testing. You will need to bring information about family history, diet and the appearance of the gray hairs. In order to specifically identify the cause of the child’s gray hair, your doctor should conduct a physical exam and take a family and medical history. Important blood tests include a check on vitamin levels, a complete blood count or CBC, and a thyroid function test.
Prevention/Solution
When gray hair in children results from a vitamin deficiency or from a treatable medical condition, you can usually halt the increase in gray with treatment. Although the gray hair will remain, no additional gray will appear. The remaining gray hair will require special conditioning and treatment. As gray hair tends to be more brittle and coarse than colored hair, use high-moisture shampoos and conditioners. Natural remedies, such as oils and egg, may also help, as can scalp massage. If you want to dye your child’s gray hair, keep in mind that excessive chemical dye usage may increase cancer risk, but vegetable dyes avoid such problems.
Warning
While most instances of gray hair in children do not indicate serious health problems, the premature graying can be an early indication of illness. Any gray hair in children, particularly in cases where there is no family history of premature gray, should lead to a doctor’s visit.
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