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Suggest Treatment For Premature Greying Of Hair

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Posted on Tue, 12 Sep 2017
Question: Dear Sir
My daughter aged 10 years. We have noticed a day before yesterday that her two,three hairs got whitened.
Already instructed her to apply jabarondi oil. I have an idea to give her lyco 30c morning and acid phos 30c evening.
Other symptoms noticed was she was little adement and we take vegetation food mostly. Occasionally non veg.
Is my projection is correct. Any other best medicine can be prescribed. Pls advice
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Likely to be due to Vitamin B12 deficiency

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. Hair color is produced by tiny cells called melanocytes that live within the hair follicles. In the course of a lifetime, the activity of the melanocytes in each follicle begins to wane, resulting in gray hairs. Each individual’s melanocyte-clock is different. As in case of your daughter, if gray hairs appear in childhood, this is called premature graying, or canities. Several conditions can alter a child’s preset melanocyte-clock. If these conditions are present for a short time, a few scattered gray hairs may be the result; if they persist, the graying is likely to progress. I do not suppose that your projection is right. A wholesome diet would be essential but the other things are not likely to be effective.

Some common causes could be:
* The most common is vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is present widely in foods from animal sources and unless on a strictly vegan diet. Since you are primarily on vegetable foods, vitamin B12 deficiency is the likely cause in case of your child. In such a case, megaloblastic anemia can be observed alongside. Giving methylcobalamine supplements should help in resolution.
* Hyperthyroidism can reduce melanocyte activity. Disorders of skin pigmentation, such as vitiligo (which follows the destruction of melanocytes in the skin), can also result in a loss of hair pigmentation.
* Inheritance or genetics can be a factor. A family history of early onset gray hair usually foreshadows its potential for development in offsprings.
* Certain childhood diseases like tuberous sclerosis, Waardenburg syndrome and neurofibromatosis need to be ruled out. A rare entity called Vogt-Koyanagi syndrome occurs in some children following a viral illness. In an attempt to fight the virus, the body makes antibodies that, unfortunately, also attack the melanocytes.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (16 hours later)
Dear Sir

Thanks for your valuable advice

Based on your advice we are going to implement wholesome diet also request your suggesstion for the following

- Please suggest a good methylcobalamine supplement and homeo medicines If the cause will be Vitamin B12 deficiency.

- Please suggest a homeo medicines If the cause will be Hypo or Hyper thyroidism.

Thanks & Regards
XXXX XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Get his thyroid levels checked

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.

- You can give Cap. Hicobal (1000) once daily to the child. I do not think that homeopathic medicines will help.
- Although I do not think that thyroid problems are present, it would be a good idea to get his blood TSH level checked. Please upload the report thereafter and I would guide you accordingly.

Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3877 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Premature Greying Of Hair

Brief Answer: Likely to be due to Vitamin B12 deficiency Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. Hair color is produced by tiny cells called melanocytes that live within the hair follicles. In the course of a lifetime, the activity of the melanocytes in each follicle begins to wane, resulting in gray hairs. Each individual’s melanocyte-clock is different. As in case of your daughter, if gray hairs appear in childhood, this is called premature graying, or canities. Several conditions can alter a child’s preset melanocyte-clock. If these conditions are present for a short time, a few scattered gray hairs may be the result; if they persist, the graying is likely to progress. I do not suppose that your projection is right. A wholesome diet would be essential but the other things are not likely to be effective. Some common causes could be: * The most common is vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is present widely in foods from animal sources and unless on a strictly vegan diet. Since you are primarily on vegetable foods, vitamin B12 deficiency is the likely cause in case of your child. In such a case, megaloblastic anemia can be observed alongside. Giving methylcobalamine supplements should help in resolution. * Hyperthyroidism can reduce melanocyte activity. Disorders of skin pigmentation, such as vitiligo (which follows the destruction of melanocytes in the skin), can also result in a loss of hair pigmentation. * Inheritance or genetics can be a factor. A family history of early onset gray hair usually foreshadows its potential for development in offsprings. * Certain childhood diseases like tuberous sclerosis, Waardenburg syndrome and neurofibromatosis need to be ruled out. A rare entity called Vogt-Koyanagi syndrome occurs in some children following a viral illness. In an attempt to fight the virus, the body makes antibodies that, unfortunately, also attack the melanocytes. Let me know if I could help further. Regards