Poliosis or White Streak in The Hair

You may have come across a person at some point in your life who has some sort of mole in their hair. It looks like a white or gray line that is usually located on the front of the scalp. Which reminds us of Cruella de Vil with her characteristic large lock of white hair.This condition is  known as poliosis,  although it is not a common condition, there are a large number of people who suffer from it. In this article we will talk about Poliosis or white streaking in the hair.

Although for some people it can be annoying to wear a white patch on your head. There are people who are differentiated by poliosis, making them feel unique and attractive. This condition can affect men, women, and children.

In this article, you’ll learn what it is, its causes, and some facts about this condition. You will be able to find out if there is a cure or if there are treatments to treat poliosis. If you suffer from this condition or want to know even more about it, continue with us and find out everything you need to know about this curious condition.

What is poliosis?

The word Poliosis comes from the Greek “pilios” which translates to “gray.” And it is used to refer to strands of hair that have lost their color. These strands can appear anywhere in the hair. It is a condition that only affects the aesthetic part, since the people who suffer from it are in perfect health.

This is a condition that is usually produced by piebaldism. It is an autosomal dominant syndrome that causes certain areas to lose pigmentation due to the absence of melanocytes. Melanocytes are the cells responsible for producing melanin, which is the pigment responsible for giving hair and skin color. Poliosis is characterized by a low level or total absence of melanin in the hair follicles. So the color of the hair disappears completely, generating that characteristic white strand.

Poliosis can appear at any time in life, affecting both children and adults. And in both sexes in the same proportions. The affected person may have one or more white strands, which are sometimes mistaken for birthmarks. This condition is usually inherited, so if one of the parents suffers from it, it is likely that their dependency also suffers from it.

Types Of Poliosis

Poliosis can be of two types based on when and how it is gotten:

• Genetic: This kind of poliosis is caused by a loss of melanin pigment in the hair shafts in the affected region. The white spots on the hair can sometimes be hereditary. They may be present at birth due to gene mutations or other genetic abnormalities.
• Acquired: If not genetic, poliosis is regarded as acquired. This type is caused by the destruction of melanin cells at the base of the hair. It can be a side consequence or aftereffect of some medical disorders manifesting themselves in later life phases. While genetic poliosis cannot be prevented, acquired poliosis can.

Causes of poliosis

Melanin is the coloring pigment of the hair and skin, and it is produced by cells called melanocytes. Generally, low amounts of melanocytes and melanin in the hair follicles are the cause of poliosis, but there are specific causes for each type of poliosis.

Some causes of acquired are:

Shingles

This is a viral infection that develops a nasty rash. Shingles can appear anywhere on the body. It usually appears in one streak of blisters that goes around the left or right side of the torso. The varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox, is what causes shingles. The virus that causes chickenpox remains in the body and may return as shingles years later. Shingles are not dangerous. However, it can be excruciatingly unpleasant. Vaccinations can aid in the prevention of shingles. Early therapy may minimize the duration of the infection, thereby decreasing the likelihood of complications. Postherpetic neuralgia, a severe disorder that causes shingles discomfort after the blisters have healed, is the most prevalent effect.

Blepharitis

This is an inflammation of the eyelid’s oil glands. The disorder causes your eyelids to become red, itchy, and swollen. It is the most common reason for dry eyes. The eyelash bases may appear scaly. After getting up in the morning, one may get a feeling in the eye, a burning sensation in the eye, sensitivity to light, fuzzy vision, dry eyes, red eyes, watery eyes, and crusty eyelashes. Excess bacteria, a clogged oil gland on the eyelid, hormone difficulties, allergies, mites, and virus infection, as well as skin diseases like seborrheic dermatitis and eczema, can all cause blepharitis.

Vitiligo

This is an autoimmune condition that results in patches of lost skin color. When pigment-producing cells die or stop working, vitiligo develops. Any area of the body, such as the hair, mouth, and eyes, might experience skin color loss. People of darker skin tones could detect it more readily. Although the condition is not cured by treatment, the skin may look better.

Halo nevus

A mole with a white halo around it is referred to as a halo nevus. Almost always benign or non-cancerous, these moles are harmless. The plural form of nevus, halo nevi, is also known as leukoderma acquisitum centrifugum or Sutton nevi. Both children and adolescents who have them are pretty prevalent.

Sympathetic ophthalmia

This is an uncommon, bilateral granulomatous uveitis induced by trauma or surgery that exposes previously immune-privileged ocular antigens, followed by a bilateral autoimmune reaction to this tissue.

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease

Unknown in its cause, this disease is an uncommon condition that affects numerous bodily systems, including the skin, eyes, ears, brain, and meninges. The primary symptom is a sudden loss of vision. Neurological symptoms such as headache, vertigo, and sleepiness may also be present. Hearing loss, hair loss (alopecia), skin discoloration, and pigmentation loss in the eyelashes and hair are possible side effects (poliosis).

Causes of genetic poliosis include:

• Waardenburg syndrome: This is a collection of genetic disorders that can alter the color (pigmentation) of the skin, hair, and eyes, as well as cause hearing loss. Patients with Waardenburg syndrome often have good hearing, although one or both ears may experience mild to profound hearing loss.
• Piebaldism: The disorder known as piebaldism is characterized by the lack of melanocytes in specific regions of the hair and skin. The pigment melanin is made by melanocytes, and it plays a role in determining the color of the skin, eyes, and hair. Patches of lighter-than-normal skin and hair result from the lack of melanocytes.
• Tuberous sclerosis: The cells in people with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) do not cease dividing at the appropriate time. This means that many parts of your body can develop tumors. While they are not cancerous, the areas where they are growing may experience issues. The tumors can be reduced with some therapies, which can also increase your comfort. Every situation is unique. TSC could impact differently depending on where it manifests in the body. The tumors may resemble thick or thin patches on the skin, and when in the lungs, they may interfere with breathing.

Faq´s

Is there a difference between poliosis and gray hair?

Poliosis and gray hair are totally different, because poliosis is a localized condition. Unlike gray hair, which usually appears in a scattered way and the main cause is the aging of people. In the case of gray hair, the decrease in melanin in the hair is due to the passage of time and poliosis to a total absence of this substance.

Should I be concerned about poliosis?

This condition does not represent a health problem, but it is recommended to visit a specialist doctor to rule out any other disease. Only an expert is the one who can give a correct diagnosis that determines whether or not it is a health risk.

Conclusion

Poliosis is merely a benign loss of color in hair follicles that results in their turning white or gray. The disease may be present at birth but primarily develops suddenly at any age. While poliosis is not a cause for concern, it is crucial to have a doctor check it out if it appears. Poliosis is not hazardous, but it might be a precursor to a number of illnesses that can be pretty dangerous.

Among the hazardous illnesses that can cause poliosis are skin cancers like melanoma, thyroid abnormalities, and inflammatory ailments. Other factors that can cause poliosis include certain drugs, treatments, radiation, and even emotional stress.

There are medical procedures that seem to reverse poliosis, but they are frequently time-consuming, exhausting, and expensive. As a result, a person with poliosis may decide that dyeing or leaving their hair alone is more manageable than seeking other medical treatment after consulting with a doctor to rule out any underlying conditions.