All About Poliosis, Its Treatment, And Its Causes

All About Poliosis, Its Treatment, And

Poliosis is when a patch of white hair appears while the other hairs retain their color. It can occur in any area of the body with hairs like eyelashes and eyebrows, but it mostly occurs on the scalp. Some people are born with this disorder, and sometimes it occurs at any age. Here is everything that you need to know about poliosis:

A Brief Introduction To Poliosis:-

The word Poliosis comes from the Greek word “ Pilios” which means Gray. Melanin gives color to our hair. Poliosis occurs when a person has decreased or complete absence of melanin in hair follicles in that specific area.

There is nothing to be worried about Poliosis. But sometimes, it is associated with other medical issues that can be serious. To avoid any problem in the future, it is best to visit a doctor initially when the signs of Poliosis occur.

Here are some of the causes of Poliosis:

What Are The Causes Behind Poliosis?-

According to some studies, poliosis can be caused by physiological trauma, physical shock, or any stressful experience. Poliosis can also occur overnight. All of these causes of poliosis are considered to be just claims. Some other possible causes of poliosis can be:

  • It can occur due to genetics.
  • Autoimmune diseases also cause it.
  • Poliosis can also be caused by damage to the hair follicles.
  • Waardenburg syndrome is another reason.
  • The use of different medications like chloramphenicol and cetuximab and can also result in poliosis.

Conditions that usually occurs with poliosis are:

  • Tuberous sclerosis can also occur with poliosis. In this condition, there occurs a cell overgrowth in different organs and tissues of the body.
  • Piebaldism can also occur with poliosis. In piebaldism, a patch of white hair above the forehead appears. Sometimes it can discolorize the part of the forehead skin.
  • Halo Moles can also occur with poliosis. In this condition, moles with white rings around them are formed.
  • Alopecia Areata can co-occur with poliosis. In alopecia areata, hair loss occurs. It occurs commonly on the scalp.

 

Conditions That Are Associated With Poliosis:-

As you already know that poliosis is not a condition to worry about. But if it appears with other health problems, then it might become serious. Sometimes poliosis is considered as a warning for critical health issues. Here are some of the conditions that are associated with poliosis:

Skin Conditions That Are Associated With Poliosis:-

Sometimes poliosis is considered the primary sign of Melanoma. Melanoma is a skin cancer that is caused by the cells that provide color to the skin. Instead of ignoring Poliosis, it is better to consult a doctor to avoid any serious problem in the future.

Eye Conditions That Are Associated With Poliosis:-

According to research, it was observed that Poliosis was more common in people who have an eye condition named uveitis. In uveitis, there occurs an inflammation in the eye. It should be treated at the start; otherwise, it can lead to other eye problems like glaucoma and cataracts. So Poliosis is also considered a warning sign to protect the person from developing any serious eye problem.

Inflammatory Diseases That Are Associated With Poliosis:-

Inflammatory Diseases That Are Associated With Poliosis

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada is also an inflammatory disorder that affects different systems in the body. This inflammation can range from eyes, ears, skin, and the central nervous system. It is also considered that VKH mostly occurs in people with dark skin, especially Asians. Poliosis is considered as the late side effect of the VKH disease.

According to a study the chronic inflammation can lead to the development of many other diseases. Poliosis is one of the side effects of chronic inflammatory disease. Still, it can also be a warning to many other diseases that occur in VKH.

Thyroid Conditions That Are Associated With Poliosis:-

Vitiligo is a condition that occurs in children, and it affects the skin of the children. This condition is also related to Poliosis. Children with Vitiligo are observed to have any thyroid and autoimmune disorders. According to a study, children who have a relative who has any thyroid and autoimmune disorder are more likely to have vitiligo. The percentage of such children is 42 percent. If any thyroid problems are not treated on time, then it can lead to many other problems like:

  • A person may experience fatigue throughout the day.
  • For some people, it becomes difficult to swallow, which can lead to discomfort.
  • It can cause depression in many people too.
  • Prolonged thyroid disease can also lead to many memory issues.
  • Thyroid disease can also lead to an increased level of cholesterol in a person.
  • It can also lead to weight gain in many people.
  • It can also cause low sex drive in some people

Signs Of Poliosis:-

There is nothing complex about spotting the poliosis. The appearance of one or more patches of white or gray hair on the hairy parts of the body. It is most visible when it occurs on the scalp; otherwise, it is also noticeable on eyebrows and eyelashes.

Suppose you notice that you or your child are feeling uncomfortable after the development of Poliosis. In that case, you should see a doctor. A blood test is enough to tell whether it is just a poliosis or an indication of a serious problem.

What Is The Treatment For Poliosis?-

There is no permanent solution to poliosis, but there are some temporary solutions:

  • You can easily color the patch of the hair that is discolored because of the poliosis. This solution is cheap, and you can do it when white roots appear.
  • If you do not want to color your hair, you can easily cover it by wearing hats and headbands.

The decolorization of the hair is permanent, and there is nothing wrong with feeling comfortable with the patch of white hair and not covering it.

Wrapping It Up:-

The spreading of the poliosis after it has developed is very rare. It is best to visit a doctor if you develop poliosis at any age. As mentioned above, it is not something to worry about. Still, sometimes it’s just a warning sign of a serious problem as prevention is better than cure.

 

 

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