A girl has a white hair on her forehead

As people age, their hair will gradually turn white. This is an irresistible growth trend. However, there is also a type of people in life called premature graying, which means that some of their body hair begins to turn white when they are young. For example, sometimes a girl will grow a white hair on her forehead or a white eyebrow. In fact, these are ultimately the result of the suppression of melanin in the body, and are often caused by disease.

Causes

1. Genetic abnormality Vitiligo is an autosomal dominant genetic disease. According to foreign statistics, 30% of patients have a family history, and both monozygotic twins are affected. The reported positive family history rate in China is 3% to 12%, which is lower than that in foreign countries.

2. The rate of combined autoimmune diseases is relatively high among patients with autoimmune diseases and their family members, the most common of which are thyroiditis, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, diabetes, chronic adrenal insufficiency, rheumatoid arthritis, malignant melanoma, etc. A variety of autoantibodies can be detected in the serum of vitiligo patients.

3. Abnormalities of mental and neurochemical transmitters: About 2/3 of patients suffer from mental trauma, excessive tension, depression or frustration at the onset or development of skin lesions. 4. Melanocyte self-destruction: Epidermal melanocytes in vitiligo partially or completely lose their function.

5. Lack of trace elements and reduced copper content in the body are related to the onset of vitiligo.

6. Other factors: Trauma, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, etc. may be associated with vitiligo.

examine

1. Electrolyte and trace element detection.

2. Urinalysis.

3. Thyroid function test.

4. Metabolite detection. (Concurrent diseases) Patients may have concurrent diseases such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, diabetes, porphyria cutanea tarda, chronic adrenocortical insufficiency, chronic active hepatitis, herpes zoster, pernicious anemia, halo nevus, chronic persistent erythema, alopecia universalis or alopecia areata, drug rash, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, parapsoriasis, scleroderma, malignant tumors, bronchial asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, acromegaly, and lichen sclerosus atrophicus.

Differential diagnosis of eyebrow graying:

1. White spots on the forehead: The typical feature of macular albinism is white spots on the forehead. 80% to 90% may be accompanied by white hair on the forehead. They are triangular or diamond-shaped, symmetrical, located in the center of the forehead or slightly to one side, and can extend downward to the root of the nose.

2. Pityriasis alba: Pityriasis alba (pityriasis alba), also known as pityriasis simplex (pityriasis simplex), is a superficial dry scaly hypopigmented macules that is often seen on the face of children, with mild inflammation. Pityriasis alba is a very common phenomenon in preschool and adolescence, especially in children with dry or dark skin. Basically, pityriasis alba is a mild dermatitis, a constitutional eczematous dermatitis. Clinically, the incidence rate is higher in people with allergic constitutions, but it is not limited to people with allergic constitutions. As for the cause, it is generally speculated that it may be related to external factors such as dry skin and sun exposure. The most common age is from three years old before school to adolescence, and the ratio of boys to girls is equal.

3. Albinism: Albinism is a common disease caused by a lack of melanin in the skin and its appendages. It is a hereditary white spot disease caused by a congenital lack of tyrosinase or tyrosinase dysfunction, which leads to impaired melanin synthesis. This type of patient usually lacks melanin in their skin, hair, and eyes, resulting in the presence of pentaminc in the retina, pale pink irises and pupils, fear of light, and constant squinting when looking at things. The skin, eyebrows, hair and other body hair are white or white with yellow. People commonly call this type of patients "sheep white heads". Albinism is a familial hereditary disease, which is an autosomal recessive inheritance and often occurs among people who marry close relatives.