Gray hair in children is an unusual phenomenon and is at odds with the prevailing opinion that gray hair is a sign of age or a result of stress.
Experiences at work, the excitement in making important decisions, the frantic pace of life - these are just some of the factors that contribute to the dilution of hair with unwanted, premature gray fights.
The role of melanin in the body
The color of hair on the head depends on the coloring pigment - melanin, presented in varieties such as:
- pheomelanin - responsible for the reddish-brown hair color;
- osimelanin - gives the hair a golden hue;
- eumelanin - dyes hair in dark shades.
The combination of these coloring substances is determined by the genetic characteristics of a person and forms a natural, individual hair color for each. Melanin produces melanocytes - cells of the hair follicle, a stop in the work of which causes the growth of hair that does not have color (gray).
The child has gray hair: what to do?
A child is a person from the world of childhood with his toys, cartoons, fairy tales. However, his special space is not safe from the penetration of stress, which can be caused by a conflict with peers, a misunderstanding of the teacher, a poor grade in the lesson. And, as a result, the first gray hair in a child is 6 years old. As soon as the influence of stress subsides, the color of the curls will surely restore to natural.
Gray hair in children appears as a consequence of nervous breakdowns and increased fatigue, which can be caused by excessive school workloads or an abundance of additional classes and creative circles. Severe fright, past illness with complications, malfunction of the pancreas, liver, kidneys, herpetic infection are the causes of the appearance of premature gray hair in the younger generation. When parents ask themselves, “why does the child have gray hair?”, The very first explanation is the heredity factor. It is likely that the close relatives of the baby at the same age already had gray hair.
Gray from disease?
Gray hair in children can be a sign of the presence of certain diseases in the body at the genetic level. For example, vitiligo is a type of skin disease, in addition to the above symptom, it is characterized by the presence of white, clearly defined spots on the epidermis.
Neurofibromatosis is a hereditary disease that, in addition to gray hair growth, is accompanied by the appearance of tumor-like, age spots on the skin and spinal deformity.
Gray hair is a natural hair color in albinism, a genetic disease accompanied by a lack of coloring pigment produced by melanocytes.
In addition to changing the color of hair, albino people suffer from low vision and are characterized by a reddish color of eyes, due to the shining of blood vessels through the poorly pigmented iris.
The transferred chemotherapy for leukemia, a very serious blood disease, can also cause gray hair growth and possible subsequent baldness. The cessation of chemical effects on the body leads to the restoration of normal hair growth and their acquisition of their natural color.
Gray hair in a child: causes
One of the main reasons for the growth of gray hair in childhood is an insufficient amount of vitamins and nutrients in the body. Gray hair in children can be returned to their natural color with the help of multivitamins containing para-aminobenzoic and folic acid.
Along the way, you should provide proper nutrition for the baby. It is recommended to increase the consumption of fresh berries and fruits, especially cherries, blackberries, apricots, strawberries. Products with zinc and copper content have a positive effect, namely: lemons, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, bananas, and legumes.
To achieve maximum results, you can rub the juice of the above products into the hair roots. Parsley juice is also useful, 2 tablespoons per day of which it is recommended to give to children.
Gray hair can grow even in newborns if their mother took Chloramphenicol in the last months of pregnancy. Also, gray hair can appear after prolonged exposure to the sun, when the hair, when burned out, loses its natural color.
Why did gray hair appear in a child?
To determine the cause of gray hair growth in a child, it is recommended to seek the help of a pediatrician and dermatologist, undergo a full examination with mandatory blood tests, check the level of thyroid hormones and the general condition of the endocrine and immune systems. Often, gray hair in children is not a sign of the presence of a serious pathology, and this should not cause anxiety in parents. But if gray hair is very noticeable and increases before our eyes - you should definitely visit a pediatrician.
It is not recommended to self-medicate children and dye their hair in order to mask gray hair. Also, they should not be pulled out, since this does not correct the current situation, and the hair follicle can significantly harm. Torn hair will replace another, the same gray hair, due to the absence of melanocytes in the hair bag. A wound formed on the site of a torn out hair can become a hotbed of pathogenic bacteria, become inflamed and develop into a small bald spot on the head.
Preventative measures
Therefore, in order to prevent, it is recommended to regularly massage the head: this improves blood flow in the skin. As a rinse for washing your hair, it is effective to use a decoction of burdock root, chamomile or parsley, and to strengthen the hair in the head, it is advisable to rub burdock oil.