Poliosis is a rare, uncommon condition and the incidence is unclear. However, it is thought to be between 1:40,000 and 1:100,000 among Caucasians. There is no difference in incidence between men and women or across ethnic groups, but the disease is more visible and noticeable in people with darker skin.
Scoliosis by the numbers
Scoliosis affects between 2-3 percent of the population. Among patients with relatives that have scoliosis, about 20 percent develop the condition. Scoliosis is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 10 and 15.
Poliosis itself is not serious. But because poliosis may result from certain medical conditions that are more serious, it's best to speak with a healthcare provider if you notice a white patch of hair and aren't already aware of what is causing it.
The harmful conditions that can trigger poliosis include melanoma skin cancer, thyroid disorders, and inflammatory conditions, among others. Poliosis can also be triggered by some medications and even by psychological stress.
Poliosis may be genetic, or caused by a gene mutation. Some genetic poliosis causes include: Tuberous sclerosis: a disease that causes noncancerous growths, patches of white skin, seizures, intellectual disabilities, and other problems.
It can also develop from certain medications or inflammatory disorders. Reports have also shown that people can suddenly experience poliosis due to extreme psychological stress – just as stress causes hair loss.
Fun Fact: People with Poliosis can't dye their hair, there's no pigment.
Microscopically, poliosis demonstrates either decreased or absent melanin and/or melanocytes in the hair bulbs of the affected hair follicles. Classically, poliosis is known to occur in the setting of several genetic syndromes including piebaldism, Waardenburg, and tuberous sclerosis.
Bonnie Raitt
Making white-streaked hair a thing since the '70s. Raitt has poliosis, a rare hair condition that zaps melanin from certain parts of her hair.
Poliosis (also called poliosis circumscripta) is the decrease or absence of melanin (or colour) in head hair, eyebrows, eyelashes or any other hirsute area. It is popularly known as white forelock when it affects hair directly above the forehead.
The reason given for Cruella's distinctive hair is poliosis, a disease that causes a decrease or absence of melanin in head hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, or any other hairy area. More often than not, the hair is affected in splotches or directly over the forehead to create a streak of white, akin to Rogue in X-men.
Most of the autoimmune disorders that can lead to scoliosis affect the muscles that support and hold the spine in a healthy alignment. Idiopathic Scoliosis is the more common of the two. Although they do not know what actually causes this type of scoliosis research has pointed to a genetic link.
Although there's no such thing as a white hair rubric, it usually follows the 50/50 rule. "It's estimated that 50 percent of the population will have gray hair by the age of 50," says Dr. Zeichner. "But most people already start seeing a few gray strands in their early 30s."
Marie Antoinette syndrome designates the condition in which scalp hair suddenly turns white.
Segmented heterochromia in scalp hair refers to a hair condition resulting in alternating dark and light segments, which predominantly occurs in patients with iron-deficiency anaemia (1, 2).
Vitamins and minerals deficiency
Follicle whitening can also be caused by iron deficiency, folate deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, and vitamin B12 deficiency. Premature graying of hair is associated with folic acid deficiency and low levels of biotin.
Genetics: It's all in genetics, say doctors. According to studies, premature greying happens due to genetics. Talk to your parents or even grandparents on when they first spotted their grey hair. If they had it very early in their age, chances are there you too will do the same.
The team ultimately discovered that signaling from the sympathetic nervous system plays a critical role in stress-induced graying. Sympathetic nerves extend into each hair follicle and release noradrenaline in response to stress. Normally, the melanocyte stem cells in the follicle are dormant until a new hair is grown.
Expert answer. A strand of hair can appear gray when it contains a decreased amount of a pigment called melanin, and it can look white if there is no pigment at all. Gray hair occurs with normal aging because the hair cells on the scalp produce less melanin; in children, early graying tends to be inherited.
What is a 'Mallen streak'? A white/grey streak is known as a Mallen streak and it's an example of poliosis – which in short means an absence of melanin in the hair, which results in the trademark white streak. The term 'Mallen streak' came into common parlance in the 1970s.
Vitamin deficiencies
Share on Pinterest White and gray hairs may start to grow at any age, and may be caused by a range of different factors. Any deficiencies of vitamin B-6, B-12, biotin, vitamin D, or vitamin E can contribute to premature graying.
There are many factors responsible for premature graying of hair, including genetics, nutritional deficiency, underlying medical conditions, synthetic hair products, stress, pollution, and exposure to UV rays.